Things to do  |  Yesterday

Share this story

Looking for ways to keep busy over the holiday period? There's plenty of low-cost activities to enjoy in and around the Garden City this summer.

Outdoor Cinema

Soak up the summer vibes at the Outdoor Cinema with eleven movies on offer. The series runs across 3 – 5 and 10 - 12 January and will be held in the North Quad of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a late-night screening and your best dress-ups or take the whānau to a 5pm session for the kids. Check out the movie schedule and entry fees at What’s On.

Anthony Harper Summer Theatre

This year’s Anthony Harper Summer Theatre brings you adventure on the high seas with ‘The complete voyage of the RMS Titanic in 90 minutes’, brought to you by a talented cast of three and a musician. Catch the show from 9 – 26 January in the Botanic Garden’s Archery Lawn. Entry is free, but donations are accepted by the theatre company, Rollicking Entertainment. Check out the performance schedule at What’s On.

World Buskers Festival

The World Buskers Festival is heading to Christchurch from 24 January – 2 February 2025. The city will become the ultimate playground of fun for the young, the old and the young at heart. The programme is packed with ticketed and non-ticketed events, including a kids comedy gala, a fire show, circus acts, and other performances.

Markets

Fill your summer weekends with markets across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Head over to the Lyttelton Craft and Treasure Market next to the Lyttelton Farmer’s Market or The Seekers Mākete at The Arts Centre each Saturday. Check out the Linwood Village Market on the first Saturday of each month (4 Jan and 1 Feb) and the Shabby Chic Market on the first Sunday (5 Jan and 2 Feb). The Sunday Maker’s Market in Central City will be on each Sunday, and the Spencer Park market and gala will be underway on the 1st and 2nd day of the year.

Kite Day

Let’s go fly a kite! Kite Day is back for 2025 at New Brighton Beach on Saturday 1 February. The free event begins at midday and runs through to 4pm. Family-friendly entertainment will be hosted by The Hits at the car park south of the Pier and the adjacent beach. As well as kites there will be competitions and games to keep you entertained. Dogs aren’t permitted in kite-flying areas.

Mitre10 Sparks

Be treated to a night of fabulous music led by Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and supported by local performers at Mitre10 Sparks in North Hagley Park. Expect a dynamic mix of classic, jazz, pop and cultural music. The free event is on Saturday 8 February, starting at 6.30pm, with the show starting at 7.30pm and wrapping up 9.40pm after a stellar fireworks display amplified by CSO.

Pool Party

Pack your togs, towel and sunscreen and splash into an epic summer with Christchurch’s pool parties. Head to Norman Kirk Memorial Pool on 4 January for the Summer Chill Out, dive into thrills with our obstacle course, take on the towering king slide and treat yourself to a free ice cream. Make your way to Waltham Summer Pool for Summer Splash, and bounce, slip and slide on massive inflatables and bouncy castles. Settle in for Inside Out 2 on the big screen at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre’s Dive-in Movie on 18 January, and get in on the action at Jellie Park on 8 February with a Summer Sports Day. General pool admission fees apply.

Summer Sundays

To round out the season, head along to Summer Sundays – a free concert series featuring seven established and up-and-coming local bands. Enjoy ‘Movie Tunes’ from The Blues Brothers film on 2 February, ‘Folk & Country Vibes’ on 9 February, and ‘Jazz on the Lawn’ on 16 February. Check out the line-up of acts at What’s On. For all events, people are encouraged to bring their own chairs or picnic blankets to sit on.