Things to do  |  28 Dec 2020

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Christchurch’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration will ensure that you end 2020 with a spectacular bang.

The Edge NYE20 party is being held in North Hagley Park and will be headlined by Kiwi music legends The Black Seeds.

Kiwi legends The Black Seeds are the headline act for The Edge NYE20.

“2020 has been a challenging year and we are going to see it out in style. When the clock strikes midnight we are going to light up the sky above Hagley Park with a stunning display of fireworks from the Firework Professionals,’’ says Christchurch City Council Events and Arts Manager Tanya Cokojic.

“It will be great way to see in the New Year but we realise that families with young children might not make it through to midnight, so at 8pm we will have a mock countdown to midnight for the little ones,’’ Ms Cokojic says.

“We’ve secured a great line-up of DJs and musicians for the night so it’s going to be a New Year’s Eve to remember. For the young ones there will be Kids Zone open until 8pm with an inflatable obstacle course and other fun activities to keep them entertained.’’

DJ Spinal will get the party started at 6pm with some crowd favourites before handing over the stage to artists from the SOLE Music Academy. About 7.15pm, 11-piece band Capitol City will infuse the celebrations with their Tribute to The Commitments show. 

After the kids’ countdown, there will be performance by Dolphin Friendly, Glitch in the System, and Dillastrate and Friends.

Headline act, The Black Seeds, will take to the stage at 11pm. Described by Clash Music as ‘one of the best live reggae acts on the planet’, The Black Seeds have earned a reputation for rocking dancefloors around the world.

“There will be food trucks in North Hagley Park from 6pm so you can enjoy some great street food while you enjoy the live entertainment. Not all the food trucks will have Eftpos so if you are planning on buying food, we advise that you bring cash,’’ Ms Cokojic says.

For quick entry, people are advised not to bring bags into the park as these will be searched on entry. People should also not bring any glass into the park.

NYE20 is an alcohol-free, smoke-free and vape-free event.

Ms Cokojic says the Council events team are working closely with Fire and Emergency NZ on the plans for the New Year’s Eve event.

"We have extra precautions in place and will continue to monitor conditions and follow the advice of Fire and Emergency NZ,'' she says.

What you need to know

  • There will be a drop-off point on Rolleston Avenue, near Christ’s College.
  • Bike stands will be located inside the Armagh Street entrance to Hagley Park.
  • Scooter parking will be provided on Park Terrace.
  • Mobility parking will be on Chester Street West for those displaying a mobility pass.
  • The Botanic Gardens Armagh Street bridge will be closed to incoming traffic from 2pm.
  • Our interactive map will help you find central city parking.
  • Metro buses will run to the Saturday timetable.