Best of the other suburban Santa parade spectaculars

If you simply can't face the crowds and noise of the Farmers Santa Parade in central Auckland, pack up the family and head off to one of the suburban spectacles.

The crowds are guaranteed smaller, your neighbours will be there so there'll be someone to talk to and the trip home will be so much shorter.

There are plenty of parades between now and Christmas, so there's sure to be one near you.

* Howick, today, beginning at 1pm. The parade starts at the top end of Stockade Hill, into Picton St and then into Moore St.

* Henderson, today, beginning at 10.30am. The parade starts at Falls Carpark, travels along Alderman Drive, Ratanui St and Railside Ave, then to Edsel St to finish at West City carpark.

* New Lynn, today, beginning at 10am. The parade starts at Hugh Brown Drive, goes along Great North Rd to Todd Ave and Totara Ave before turning into Memorial Drive.

* Takapuna, Saturday, December 3, 11am.

* Te Atatu, Saturday, December 3, beginning at 11am. The parade begins in Hereford St, thence to Te Atatu Rd and Gunner Drive to Pringle Rd.

* Great Barrier Island, Saturday, December 3, beginning at noon. The parade treks around the Claris Sportsclub grounds.

* Birkenhead, Sunday, December 4, 11am.

* Browns Bay, Sunday, December 4, midday.

* Papatoetoe, Wednesday, December 7, beginning at 7pm. The parade starts at the corner of Great South Rd and St George St, left into Kolmar Rd, finishes at Tavern Lane.

* Mangere, Thursday, December 8, beginning at 6.30pm. The parade starts at the corner of Domain and Coronation Rds, travels up Coronation Rd to Church Rd, then turns and goes back along Coronation Rd to McIntyre Rd.

* Clevedon, Saturday December 10, beginning at 3pm. The parade starts in the town centre, goes along Papakura-Clevedon Rd into Hyde Rd and Monument Rd and then back to the primary school.

* Waiheke Island, Saturday, December 10, beginning at 2pm. The parade treks around Oneroa Village.