A winter weekend in Ōtautahi

Here's your guide to keeping busy this chilly weekend in Christchurch.

Riverside Multi Cultural Festival

Head down to Riverside Market from 2 – 4pm Saturday for music and dance celebrating 30 years of the Taiwanese Hwa-Hsin Society in Christchurch, at the Riverside Multi Cultural Festival.

Artistic groups from a variety of cultures will be performing to celebrate and their cultural dance and music traditions, with performances, cooking demos and crafts throughout the day.

Monthly Fungi Whānau Event at Fungi Farm

Make your way to the Fungi Farm’s natural playground on Sunday morning for the Monthly Fungi Whānau Event to learn about fungi and their roles in our ecosystem.

For this month’s session, join Hayley and Inga to learn about inoculating fungi, preparing soil for the best fungi growth, experiments with coffee grinds, books and cardboard, observing and learning about mushrooms that eat dead wood, and more fungi-themed activities.

Explore the Residential Red Zone

The Residential Red Zone encompasses areas around Bexley Wetland, Brooklands, South Brighton, Southshore, the Port Hills and the Ōtākaro River Corridor including Richmond, Dallington, Avonside and Brooker Ave. And despite its name, it’s incredibly green!

Pack a picnic, take a wander and explore this special collection of spaces this weekend. If you like what you see, take part in a red zone working bee, join a community group or support your local community group.

TheatreFest Canterbury One Act Play Competition

This weekend the TheatreFest Canterbury One Act Play Competition will be on at Merivale Lane Theatre. With entries from around Canterbury, this year’s one act play festival ranges from musical to drama.

There are eight entries including schools and local theatre clubs. Come along to see the plays on Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 5pm and hear what the adjudicator has to say.

The Midwinter Session

Ōtautahi's newest winter festival is back, featuring a lineup of food and a local selection of beers, wines and spirits. The Midwinter Session is on at Wolfbrook Arena from 1 – 8pm Saturday, with much to see, taste and experience.

Taste your way through a variety of food from different food trucks and grab a drink from a wide selection of beverages. Tickets start at $19 and this is an R18 event.