Things to do  |  2 Dec 2022

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Summer’s here, the festive season is underway and the chances of spotting Santa in the city this weekend are high to very high!

Christmas in the City

Bring the family along to the Avon River promenade at 11am this Saturday for a very special Christmas in the City event. You will be able to follow Santa as he punts up the river from the Margaret Mahy playground past Victoria Square to the steps of Oxford Terrace.

On arrival, Santa will make his way to a stage set up beside the river before boarding the tram to The Crossing where he will take a seat on his sleigh.

There will be live music and elves along the way and children will get a chance to pass on their Christmas wishes to Santa.

Home Alonesome

Get your booby-traps out and bring the kids along The Court Theatre for a night filled with comedy goodness and laughter.

The Court Jesters are celebrating the festive season with a family friendly, Home Alone-inspired improvised comedy show this Saturday and Sunday, 6.30-8pm. Tickets cost $15-$25.

Christmas Family Festival

Celebrate the start of the festive season with the Christmas Family Festival at Victoria Square this Sunday, 11.30am - 5pm.

The Christmas Family Festival brings together live music, family entertainment, bouncy castles, and food vendors. Local performers and music acts like the All Girl Big Band and Music with Michal will also be there.

Word on the street is that Santa is also going to make an appearance.  

This is a great opportunity to grab your friends and whānau to enjoy some live entertainment and fun in the sun.

Handel’s Messiah

Joyful, majestic and uplifting, Handel’s Messiah signals that Christmas is on its way. 

Christchurch City Choir performs Handel’s Messiah, 7.30pm Saturday at the Town Hall, conducted by Dr John Linker and accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

The soloists are New Zealand-based international soprano Madeleine Pierard, alto Leisa Falconer, tenor Andrew Grenon and bass James Ioelu. Tickets from $18.

Manu Competition

Head along to Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre midday to 2pm on Saturday for the first heat of the Christchurch City Council’s summer Manu Competition.

Enter the manu competition in one of four categories: under 13s, 13 to 18 years, open female and adult.

Six heats are being held at our pools across the city ahead of the grand final on Sunday 12 February at Jellie Park.