Need a break from the Olympics this weekend?

If you want a break from watching the Olympics this weekend, give one of these events a go.

Go Green Expo

Want to embrace a healthy, environmentally-friendly, sustainable lifestyle but not sure how to start?

Then head along to the Horncastle Arena this weekend for the Go Green Expo. Billed as the Sustainable Lifestyle Expo, this free two day event showcases everything from eco-home building and organic gardening to health and well-being products and services.

The expo is on from 10am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday.

Help create a forest

This Saturday you can help create a forest in the Dallington area of Christchurch’s Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.

In partnership with Christchurch City Council, as part of the Rotary Forests of Peace and Remembrance, Conservation Volunteers NZ will be planting around 40,000 different trees, shrubs and grasses to increase biodiversity and recreate a forest-type environment along the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River.

The planting will take place from 1pm to 3pm and will be followed by a BBQ.

To access the site, turn off River Road into Dallington Terrace. Parking is through the gate alongside the river. Bike parking is even closer. Tools will be provided but please bring gardening gloves, a water bottle and wear sturdy footwear.

Ice hockey action

The Canterbury Red Devils are taking on the West Auckland Admirals in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League this weekend.

The two–match showdown is being played at the Alpine Ice Sports Centre from 4.30 to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday and promises lots of fast-paced action and entertainment. Come along and show your support for the local team.

Tickets are available through Eventfinda.

Ferrymead Night Market

It’s the first Saturday of the month which means it is time for Ferrymead Heritage Park’s night market.

The market runs from 4 to 8pm and there will be food vendors, stalls, live music and face-painting for the kids. The heritage train and tram will be running and the Hall of Flames, the Hall of Wheels, Post Office, model railway and village houses will all be open.

If you are heading along to the market make sure you bring cash with you as there are no ATMs on site although some stalls and most food stands have Eftpos. Entry is by $2 donation.

Big Bike Film Night

The Big Bike Film Night returns on Sunday evening with a screening of South - The Tour Te Waipounamu Story by Kiwi director Rob Dawson. The film explores what bikepacking is and what it is like to take part in the Tour Te Waipounamu - a 1300 kilometre race through some of the South Island's most scenic but harsh landscapes.

After the film finishes, there will be a question and answer session with Hana Black and Mark Watson, two cyclists who have competed in the  race.

The film is being shown at The Phillip Carter Family Auditorium at the Christchurch Art Gallery at 5pm and at 7pm. Tickets cost range in price from $12.50 to $20 and can be booked online. Cash-only door sales will also be available on the night.

Step back in time

If you fancy taking a trip down memory lane this weekend, check out the Standish and Preece photography exhibition at Canterbury Museum, which provides a window on more than a century of life in Canterbury.

For 135 years, Christchurch photography studio Standish and Preece captured Cantabrians on camera. The studio, which closed in 2020, was New Zealand’s longest-running photography business.

This exhibition showcases a selection of the 80,000 images captured by the studio and now held in Canterbury Museum’s collection. These images document the changing faces of Cantabrians as well as the changing business of photography.

You can search for family and friends among the displayed photos and see fashion trends develop, demographics change and Christchurch itself develop and grow. You can also visit a replica early 20th century photography studio.