Things to do  |  9 Aug 2024

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Check out the Quake City free weekend, master your sewing skills and explore the Arts Centre market. Here's your low cost guide to the weekend in Christchurch.

Quake City free weekend

The Quake City exhibition, which tells stories from the Canterbury earthquake, will be free to visit on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The exhibition leads visitors through the first shake of 4 September 2010, the destruction and rescue efforts of 22 February 2011 to the clean up and rebuild.

The exhibition features some of the defining objects of the time – from the top of the Christ Church Cathedral spire and the railway station clocks to the road cones, water containers and portaloos that were part of everyday life for Cantabrians post quakes. Quake City is located at 299 Durham Street North and open from 10am – 5pm.

Books Come Alive!

Some of our nation’s best writers and illustrators are set to hit Te Ata Ātea, Rolleston’s central library and community centre, for a Saturday packed with special storytimes, fun activities, as well as a few surprises as tamariki take over the space.

Featuring Steve Mushin (writer of Ultrawild), Melanie Dixon, Michaela Keeble & Tokerau Brown, Raymond McGrath and Cubbin Theatre - This is your chance to meet some of the finalists of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young people before the awards are announced next week. This Books Come Alive! session is part of the WORD Festival 2024.

Children's Vivaldi's Four Seasons – Spring

Children and their parents can experience the magical sounds of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – Spring, through listening, watching and dance using a variety of props including organza, streamers, ribbons and scarves.

The Seekers Mākete is on Saturday at The Arts Centre

Come along to this interactive children’s concert at Mt Pleasant Community Centre on Sunday. Recommended age group but open to any age: 12pm 4-8 years, 1.15pm 3-4 years, 2.30pm 0-2 years. Tickets are $10 per child and $5 per adult.

Make a sew-good box

Do you want to learn basic sewing skills? Come along to Tūranga on Saturday and learn to make a fabric box. Learn basic sewing skills through hands-on experience in a relaxing environment, and fun, easy and colourful ideas to reuse any material you have at home.

Come along from 10.30am – midday or 2pm – 3.30pm, $10 per person. All items and materials provided for these sessions and no experience is necessary. Booking are required.

The Seekers Mākete

Come on down and support your local community this Saturday who will be selling everything from jewellery, candles, wellness products, food and more.

The Seekers Mākete is on every Saturday from 10-3pm at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora.