Christmas in the Garden

When:

Dec 05, 3.00 PM - Dec 05, 8.00 PM

Where:

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Costs:

Free

Celebrate the start of the festive season at Christmas in the Garden, a free, family-friendly afternoon packed with live entertainment, games, activities and Christmas cheer.

The DKCM Christmas All Stars are back to lead an exciting line-up of entertainment on the bandstand, joined by Rainbow Rosalind, The Prince of Purple, Hot Steppers and The Andy P Band.

There’ll be something for everyone, with live music, performances, family games and activities, and a very special visit from Santa.

Bring along a picnic, or grab something delicious from the food trucks or Aster Café, then settle in and enjoy the festive atmosphere with whānau and friends.

Entertainment

🎄 DKCM Christmas All Stars
🌈 Rainbow Rosalind
💜 The Prince of Purple
🔥 Hot Steppers
🎶 The Andy P Band
🎅 Santa's special visit

Come along for an afternoon of music, fun and festive magic as we kick off the Christmas season in the beautiful Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Wet weather: The event will be postponed to Saturday 12 December 2026 if required. Updates will be shared on the DCC Facebook page.

What’s On & When?

Rainbow Rosalind

3pm

The Prince of Purple

4pm

Hot Steppers

5pm

The Andy P Band

5:25pm

DKCM Christmas All Stars

6:30pm

Santa's special visit

5pm

Melanie Kerr

Melanie Kerr is known for her warmth, energy and love of life. Through her SOS, Sprinkle of Sunshine™ philosophy, she encourages people to notice the beauty, goodness and joy in the everyday. As MC of Christmas in the Garden, Melanie will make the celebration all about the people, creating connection, sharing the fun and helping everyone soak up a little Christmas magic.

DKCM Christmas All Stars

The DKCM ALLSTARS return to the Dunedin Botanical Gardens this Christmas, bringing the full force of Ōtepoti’s premier live performers back to the main stage.

Fronting the show are six standout vocalists - Sophie Whibley, Isla Kamo, Maya Satake, Luke Butson, Ben Hayward, and Joseph Kelly - a dynamic mix of seasoned performers and rising Dunedin talent. Backing them is a six‑piece band stacked with some of the city’s sharpest musicians, delivering stadium‑level sound in the heart of the Gardens.

Adding even more lift, energy, and sparkle, the Eclipse Cheerleading Squad joins the Allstars this year, bringing high‑impact choreography and crowd‑igniting performance moments throughout the night.

Together, they form one of Dunedin’s most exciting live ensembles - a festive‑ready team built to lead thousands in song, celebration, and Christmas magic.

Rainbow Rosalind

Rainbow Rosalind the Fairy is an Award-winning Children’s Singer/Songwriter & TV Presenter based in Dunedin, NZ.

As well as touring New Zealand and overseas with kids music supergroup ‘The Wiggles’, Rainbow Rosalind is a renowned children’s music artist in her own right, creating songs of self-love that children connect with all over the world.
Rainbow Rosalind’s stage show is a lively spectacle of dance, musical instruments, colour and of course a sprinkle of magic!

You may also recognise Rainbow Rosalind from her starring role on TVNZ’s hit show ‘Code Fun’ , which she co-hosts with her animated robot sidekick ‘Digi the Robot’.

Recent awards include New Zealand’s Best Children’s Music Video (APRA), Global Artist of the Decade (FKR), and New Zealand Children’s Artist of the year (FKR, 3 years running).

Rainbow Rosalind is joined by the magical christmas elves to perform at Christmas in the Gardens this year, in a wondrous show filled with all your favourite Christmas songs as well as popular RR classics. This show is sure to get the whole family up and boogying along! She can’t wait to fly in and spread the Christmas cheer!

The Prince of Purple

"Kahuraki Bronsson-George

Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha, Ngāti Porou, Henderson Clan, MacNeachdain Clan

Ōtautahi-born Kahuraki has always been surrounded by creativity, coming from a musical whānau. At 16, he joined the Circus (without needing to run away) at Circo Arts, and there was no turning back.

Kahuraki’s main goal with his show is to expose more people to the various storytelling artforms of Te Ao Māori.He is passionate about growing a stronger presence of te reo, tikaka, toi, and tākaro Māori in the Circus industry of Aotearoa.

With waiata Māori, tapdancing, impressive mau rākau display, storytelling and ancient games like Te Whai a Māui string/rope game, and an impressive finale of poi on rollerskates, there is something for everyone in this truly unique and totally local show not to be missed!"

The Hot Steppers

Born in the House of Pain (Forsyth Barr Stadium), The Hot Steppers are Dunedin's only New Orleans-style second line band, bringing the infectious rhythms, brass-powered energy and street-party spirit of New Orleans to Aotearoa.

Originally formed as the house band for Highlanders home games in 2025, The Hot Steppers soon broke free of the stadium, taking their sound to the streets, stages and festivals of Dunedin and beyond.

Featuring some of Dunedin's finest brass and percussion musicians, The Hot Steppers have brought the party to events including Eats & Beats Festival, New Year's Eve in the Octagon and the Dunedin Community Christmas Dinner — spreading second line sounds, big energy and good times wherever they go.

Andy P

Andy P grew up in rural Central Otago, where he began playing guitar at the age of seven, influenced early on by his parents’ record collection and the blues‑rock playing of Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, and Jimi Hendrix.

Since 2006, Andy has led multiple bands as a vocalist and lead guitarist, performing thousands of live shows across New Zealand and internationally. His work spans bars and restaurants through to festivals, corporate events, and weddings. Comfortable reading and writing charts and improvising in real time, Andy is equally at home leading a project or stepping into a session.

Andy holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Otago, where he majored in performance, composition, and studio production. He later served as a teaching fellow at the University, lecturing and tutoring in music theory and songwriting. Alongside this, he has spent over a decade as a private guitar and bass tutor, working with more than 200 students.

From 2018 to 2020, Andy was based in New York City, immersing himself in its highly competitive music scene. During this period, he performed regularly with touring and session musicians, toured the United States in 2019 as a session guitarist with a Latin American pop‑rock act, and worked as a recording and touring guitarist in the country genre. His credits include performances at Birdland, involvement in a gypsy jazz collective, and appearances leading various house bands across the city.

Santa Claus

The original high-energy holiday act, straight out of the North Pole and currently on a special southern stop in Dunedin.

With a career spanning centuries, Santa has delivered more live performances than any act in history, from rooftop landings to packed living-room gigs worldwide. Known for his unmistakable red stage outfit, booming laugh, and ability to work a crowd of any size, he’s the ultimate frontman of festive cheer.

Influences range from classic Christmas standards to pure improvisational joy. Expect a high-spirited visit, and that signature “Ho Ho Ho” that never fails to get the room singing along. Equally at home headlining major events or dropping into local gatherings, Santa brings the same full-throttle energy every time.

This season he’s making a special appearance right here at the Dunedin Botanic Garden, ready to spread Christmas magic, pose for photos, and remind everyone why he’s the hardest-working performer on the planet.

Catch him while he’s in town. The sleigh doesn’t stay parked forever.

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