14 Jun 2022

Share this story

Buildings will be lit, rainbow flags will be flying, drag queens will be telling stories and Cashel Street will get a colourful makeover all in the name of Christchurch PRIDE.

Christchurch City Council is supporting the annual event which celebrates the diverse groups of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community runs from Friday 17 June to Tuesday 28 June.

Civic buildings being lit with rainbows, rainbow flags will be flying, and #colourfulcashel, an interactive art installation, will once again be in the central city. Businesses are also being encouraged to decorate their office/shop/restaurant or bar as a sign of support.

“Greater Ōtautahi Christchurch is a place that celebrates and embraces our diversity, and we are excited that PRIDE is the first festival back in our calendar.  We are also inviting members of the rainbow community from around the country to come and join in the celebrations,” Mayor Lianne Dalziel says.

Christchurch City Libraries will also be hosting a number of events throughout June, including Queens Telling Stories at Tūranga, a Pride Clothing Swap at Fendalton Library, Pride Youth Creative Time at Tūranga and a Rainbow Book Club Party also at Tūranga.

“We’re really excited to be hosting these events for PRIDE. Our Queens Telling Stories event is not to be missed,” Acting Head of Libraries and Information Elaine Sides says. 

Rainbow Storytimes at Christchurch City Libraries on May 28 was a huge success.

“We had over 70 adults and 60 tamariki come along to our recent Rainbow Storytimes event. It was wonderful to see the different types of whanau represented in the audience with everyone being encouraged to just be their special selves.”

The full Christchurch PRIDE programme can be downloaded from the Christchurch PRIDE website. All the Christchurch City Libraries events can be found here.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Queens Telling Stories at Tūranga. Two top Christchurch drag queens read some fabulous stories to kids.
  • Qtopia Pride Ball at the Christchurch Art Gallery. An all ages and all-inclusive ball where we celebrate together.
  • Christchurch Pride Bingo. Fabulous drag queens dropping their balls in front of a room full of people at the Cashmere Club.
  • Joke and Soak at He Puna Taimoana. A comedy night while soaking in the hot pools.
  • Drag: Proud to Shine at the Christchurch Art Gallery.

The annual festival is run by the local PRIDE committee, with support from Qtopia, Moana Va, the Christchurch Foundation, ChristchurchNZ, Council and other partners and sponsors.