Your guide to the weekend

Enjoy an artsy weekend in Ōtautahi Christchurch with these low-cost activities.

The Great Word Story Hunt

Head down to Tūranga from 2pm – 3pm Saturday because the Great Word Story Hunt is back! Grab the whānau and find clues hidden in the library that will lead you to the next story.

Will it be Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga) in the Lego pit? Helen Taylor hiding under the stairs, reading from her beautiful pukapuka Kakapo Dance? Carly Waddleton tucked away in a cosy corner with Dreams of Moa? Or maybe Amy Straker strumming and singing a song? Look out for prizes to be won throughout the day!

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival 2023

This weekend is your last chance to strap in and watch a fabulous film as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival! The national event enhances the appreciation of, and engagement with, global art and culture by providing access to a diverse range of high-quality film.

Take your pick with a range of films this weekend; Enjoy the romantic May December or musical drama Carmen on Friday, Aotearoa comedy The Paragon or German-Japanese Perfect Days on Saturday, and Finnish-German Fallen Leaves or drama film Disco Boy on Sunday. View the full programme here.

Inspiring Stitching Exhibition

Check out the Inspiring Stitching Exhibition this weekend, showcasing talented works presented by the Canterbury Embroiderer’s Guild. The Canterbury Embroiderer’s Guild has been in Canterbury for almost 56 years supporting needle art and crafts within the community.

The Guild aims to teach, foster, maintain and enjoy a high standard of embroidery techniques and design, while promoting embroidery and related crafts. The free exhibition will be on display at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, 2 Harakeke Street, until 17 September. The Gallery is open from 9am to 3pm daily.

Waimakariri River Community Planting Day

Join our ranger and biodiversity teams on one of our epic tree-planting days alongside the Waimakariri River this Saturday! This is one of three volunteer native planting days at Rock Spur on the southern banks of the Waimakariri River. 

Come along with friends and whānau and help us put 8,500 plants in the ground. Meet at the car park and picnic area for the day to start at 10am. Enjoy tea and coffee to start the day with a free BBQ to follow the planting. More information here.

Noteworthy – Celebrating 150 years of UC

On Saturday evening, enjoy a concert by UC Music in collaboration with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra exploring the past, present, and future of music in Christchurch. This concert celebrates the rich relationship between the University of Canterbury and the wider Christchurch community, and in particular our relationship with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

This performance will take place at Christchurch Town Hall from 7:30pm – 9:30pm Saturday. Tickets are available from $18.45, more here.

Arts Canterbury Art Show

This Saturday and Sunday, head to the Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo Street, from 10am – 4pm to enjoy the Arts Canterbury Art Show. More than 70 Arts Canterbury artists will be exhibiting at the show, with members coming from a variety of backgrounds and differing levels of experience across a wide spectrum of mediums and style.

Come along and support this fundraiser for Arts Canterbury who believe in fostering an appreciation of the visual arts and providing support to artists who create it. As well as the art there will also be raffles available to purchase. Koha on entry.

Wildlife Learning Garden

Join red zone rangers, locals and entomologists from the University of Canterbury on Saturday as they discover what’s already living in a section of the red zone, and then plant to create more habitat! Neighbours have been caring for this section since it was cleared, and now we plan to turn it into a living, learning, destination garden.

The day will start at 10am with checking the traps that have been laid out a few nights before. Then plant wildlife-friendly plants to create more habitat! Find out what plants lizards, invertebrates and birds love to live with. More information here.

Many Voices Multicultural Festival

Many Voices, a multicultural festival organised by Christchurch Multicultural Festival, is on this Saturday! The fun-filled festival will provide an entertaining and informative evening for people of all cultures. Celebrate cultural diversity with cultural/ethic music, dance, art and craft.

Enjoy information stalls, world tea tasting, cultural performances and arts and crafts displays. This free event will take place from 5pm – 9:30pm on Saturday at La Vida Centre, 34a Hansons Lane.