15 May 2023

Share this story

Tīrama Mai will light up Victoria Square in Ōtautahi Christchurch this winter.

Christchurch City Council Manager of Events and Arts, Lucy Blackmore says there will be around 20 different lighting displays, artworks and interactive installations included in the third annual Tīrama Mai event.

“There will be some crowd favourites from previous years, as well as some all-new displays to check out,” says Ms Blackmore.

The lighting festival is free to attend and will run from Friday 7 July until Saturday 15 July, including the Matariki public holiday which falls on Friday 14 July this year.

“It’s a great time to wrap up warm, get together with friends and whānau and explore the stories of Puaka and Matariki through fun, interactive artworks and live performances,” says Ms Blackmore.

The displays will light up when the sun goes down, 5pm – 10pm. Live performances will also take place in the evenings of 7-8 July and 13-15 July.

“Victoria Square offers some new spaces and locations to light up,” says Ms Blackmore.

“A new two-piece installation, called Tomokanga, will form an entrance and exit to the space. Ariki Creative is developing the 5m tall, 8m wide gateway that will welcome visitors as they approach from Armagh Street. The second part of the installation marks the exit to the festival on the Colombo Street side of Victoria Square.

“Together, the Tomokanga installation will create a meeting place within Victoria Square for people to gather and be together during the Puaka Matariki period,” says Ms Blackmore.

Tīrama Mai – which means to bring light – is one of several events the Council has planned over the winter months. Other events include KidsFest, the Winter Fireworks Spectacular and the Go Live Festival.

Check out What’s On for all the latest event information.