Things to do  |  10 Feb 2020

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North Hagley Park will be filled with music from blockbuster movies and world famous composers on Saturday night as the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) presents YES Power Sparks.

Legendary blues guitarist Paul Ubana Jones will also be performing at the free outdoor concert.

There will also be special guest collaborations from The Orchard, Te Ahikaaroa and the Sole Music Academy.

 “We are so excited about the programme the CSO has put together for this year’s Sparks,’’ says Christchurch City Council Events and Arts Manager Lucy Blackmore.

“The orchestra will be performing works by some of the greatest composers of all time – think Strauss, Rossini, Elgar and Bizet – as well as music from Hollywood blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Frozen.

“And of course they’ll be sharing the stage too with Paul Urbana Jones, who will be opening the concert and also performing the classic 1960s song A Whiter Shade of Pale.

“The concert will end, as it traditionally does, with a dazzling fireworks display set to Tchaikovksy’s 1812 Overture,’’ Ms Blackmore says.

“It will be an amazing night out and we’re expecting a crowd of at least 50,000. The Night Noodle Market, which is also on in North Hagley Park, will be open from the earlier time of 1pm so that people can come in early and enjoy some delicious food before they settle in for the concert.

“We will also have food trucks on site and live entertainment from 6.30pm. The main concert starts at 7.30pm, with the fireworks due to begin about 9.40pm.’’

Free park and ride service

A free park and ride bus service will operate from the University of Canterbury Clyde Road car park and from the Cranley Street bus stop by Eastgate Mall.

Between 5pm and 8pm people will be able to park at the university and the Eastgate Mall main car park and then catch a free bus (every 15 minutes) to North Hagley Park. 

At the conclusion of Sparks, buses will return people to the university and Eastgate. The departing buses will leave from Park Terrace (across from Peterborough Street) between 10 and 10.15pm.

Biking?

Bike stands will be provided in Hagley Park opposite the roundabout over the Armagh Street bridge.

Driving?

There are thousands of car parks available in the central city, which you can find using our interactive map.

To access one of five multi-level parking buildings, drive in using the one-way streets and look out for the blue ‘P’ parking signs.

If you want to drop people off at the park, there will be a drop-off point on Park Terrace between Kilmore and Armagh Street (outside Cathedral Grammar).

The Botanic Gardens Armagh street car park will be closed to incoming traffic from 3pm and closed to all traffic from 5pm.

Mobility parking

Mobility parking will be on Chester Street West (off Park Terrace). A mobility pass must be visible to gain access.

Find out more about YES Power Sparks.