Things to do  |  30 Jan 2020

A free park and ride service is going to make it easy to get to the YES Power Sparks concert in North Hagley Park on Saturday 15 February.

Sparks, which features the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and a dazzling fireworks finale, is one of the biggest events on the SummerTimes calendar and traditionally attracts a crowd of more than 50,000.

To make travel to the event easy, a free park and ride 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 8.30pm people will be able to park at the university and the Eastgate Mall main car park and then catch a free bus 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.

“The Night Noodle Market is on the same night as Sparks so we are expecting a huge crowd in North Hagley Park.

“The free park and ride service will ease the pressure on the central city parking and make it easy for people to enjoy the night’s festivities,’’ says Christchurch City Council Events and Arts Manager Lucy Blackmore.

“We are also going to have cycle stands and scooter parking available in the park, just past the Armagh Street bridge, for those who want to bike or scooter in for the night.’’

For those intending to travel by car to the event, there will be a drop-off point on Rolleston Avenue between Gloucester Street and Armagh Park Street (outside Christ’s College).

People with mobility passes will be able to park in the mobility parking area on Chester Street West.

“It you do plan to come by car please be aware that the Botanic Gardens Armagh Street car park will be closed to incoming traffic from 3pm and closed to all traffic from 5pm,’’ Ms Blackmore says.

If you are looking for information about places to park, there’s a great interactive map on the Council’s website. If you intend to use one of the five multi-level parking buildings in the central city, drive in using the one-way streets and look out for the blue ‘P’ parking signs.’’

The main Sparks concert will begin at 7.30pm but there will be live entertainment in North Hagley Park from 6.30pm. The Night Noodle Market will be operating from 1pm.

The fireworks will begin about 9.40pm.

If the weather is wet, Sparks will be postponed until Sunday 16 February.