Things to do  |  28 May 2021

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Need an antidote for the winter blues? Then check out our What’s On Christchurch Winter Events Guide.

It will be landing in schools, pre-schools, libraries and service centres across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri from this weekend and will also be available online.

The guide is full of music gigs, sporting events and fun family activities to help spice up your winter

“Long dark nights and chilly days can make winter a bit of a grind, but it doesn’t have to be. We have some great events planned for the next three months to give everyone a healthy dose of fun over the winter,’’ says Christchurch City Council Events and Arts Manager Tanya Cokojic.

From 25 June, Christchurch’s inaugural Tīrama Mai lighting event will celebrate Matariki in the heart of the city and in New Brighton.

Zones within the central city and seaside suburb will be lit up for two weeks with a series of innovative lighting installations, projections and illuminated artworks created by some of Canterbury’s best lighting artists.

Tīrama Mai concludes in New Brighton on Saturday 10 July with the Matariki Fireworks Spectacular.

July also brings the 30th anniversary of KidsFest. The popular winter school holidays festival includes hundreds of exciting and interactive activities to keep the young ones entertained.

Demand for spots during the two week festival is expected to be very high so parents are advised to book their kids in early.

Go Live is back this winter too for one music-filled day.

Scheduled for Saturday 24 July, the festival will include informative, interactive sessions for those wanting to make a name for themselves in the music industry in the afternoon, while in the evening the Christchurch Town Hall will reverberate with the sound of live music performances.

Other winter events to lock into your diaries include:

  • The Christchurch Winter Solstice Matariki Night Light Bike Ride through North Hagley Park on 21 June.
  • The Jimmy Barnes concert in the Christchurch Town Hall on 7 July.
  • Chill in the City from 29 July to 1 August in City Mall.
  • The Christchurch Go Green Expo 2021 from 7 to 8 August at Christchurch Arena.

See the full line-up of winter events.