The Otago Settlers Museum Pixie Town pixies were going away on holiday this year while the museum was closed for redevelopment, director Linda Wigley said.
"They will enjoy a much-needed break and we look forward to them returning refreshed and restored for Christmas 2012 when the museum reopens."
The pixies would be travelling to tropical climes, Europe and China and would be sending postcards back to Dunedin, Ms Wigley said. Their holiday adventures could also be followed on social media sites.
The first Pixie Town display, called a Magic Cave, was built by Fred Jones, of Nelson, and displayed in a Nelson shop in 1933.
The Settlers Museum Pixie Town dates from the 1950s and was a regular part of the DIC department store's Christmas displays from 1979 to 1991.
After the store closed, a Settlers Museum supporter bought and gave nine units to the museum.
The pixies had become part of Dunedin's cultural heritage and a popular Christmas attraction, Ms Wigley said. Last year, more than 15,000 people visited the display and the season was extended into January.
"People get very nostalgic about the pixies. We have grandparents who remember them at DIC now bringing their grandchildren to see them here."
Before their next appearance, the Pixie Town display would be restored and reconfigured, Ms Wigley said.
Other Pixie Town units were known to exist and she said museum staff would like to know where those units were and whether they could be added to the museum display.
