Christchurch Events:  What's on

Listing of Christchurch art, theatre, concerts, classical music, festivals, exhibitions and sport - maintained by The Inside Story tours. 

There are plenty of great events going on in Christchurch.  Check out the list below (in date order) to ensure you don’t miss out when you visit.

Scroll to bottom of page for a print version.

A Cantabrian Christmas.  10 December 2011.
CBS Canterbury Arena.   6.00pm. 
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra celebrates Christmas for all the family, with traditional favourites plus a Kiwi flavour.
More information and bookings:   click here

A Shortcut to Happiness.  10 Dec 2011 - 31 Jan 2012
Court Theatre, Addington.
The Court Theatre kicks off in its new venue, with a Roger Hall play about the lives and loves of the members of a folk-dancing class.
More information and bookings:   click here

Janice Gray, Bob Heinz and Tom Rainey.   11 Dec 2011.
Celebration Theatre, North Hagley Park.   8.30pm.
Actress, singer and raconteur, Janice Gray presents and evening of fun and music, with Bob Heinz on guitar and Tom Rainey on bass.
More information and bookings:   click here  

Toni Childs.   12 December 2011.
Geo Dome, Christchurch Events Village.   8.00pm.
Celebrated singer/songwriter with 3 platinum albums in New Zealand, including 'Union'. 
More information and bookings:   click here

The Class of '58.   14-17 December 2011.
Celebration Theatre, North Hagley Park.   8.30pm.
An evening of great Rock 'n Roll entertainment with Shane Cortese, Chet O'Connell and The Class of '58. 
More information and bookings:   click here 

Carols by Candlelight.   24 December 2011.
Hagley Park North.   9.00-10.00pm. 
This year, at the Events Hub in North Hagley Park.  Free entry.
More information:    click here 

New Year's Eve celebration.   31 December 2011.
Hagley Park North.   5.00pm - 12.30am. 
Free entertainment for all ages in the park, culminating in fireworks at midnight.
More information and bookings:   click here 

World Buskers Festival.   19-29 January 2011.
A fun time to be in Christchurch, as street performers from around the world converge on the city. 
More information:   click here

Kite Day.   28 January 2012.
New Brighton, south of the pier.  1.00-4.00pm.
Bring your kite along, and join hundreds of other kite enthusiasts, including some of the best kites and kite pilots in the South Island. 
More information:   click here 

El Caballo Blanco - Dance of the White Stallions.   28 January 2012
CBS Canterbury Arena.
The magnificent white Spanish stallions are put through their paces, accompanied by flamenco dancers.
More information and bookings:   click here

Sunshine in Life.   3 February 2012.
CBS Canterbury Arena.
A top Chinese Acrobatic troupe's performance includes trick cycling, and a wide range of creative and daring acrobatic skills.
More information and bookings:   click here  

Classical Sparks.   5 February 2012.
Hagley Park North.   6.45 - 10.30pm.
Accompanied by a wide range of Christchurch's artistic talent, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra plays popular classics and modern pieces, with a big firework display to accompany the finale. Free entry.
More information:   click here 

Chinese Lantern Festival.   11-12 February 2012.
North Hagley Park.
Traditionally held on the 15th day of Chinese Lunar New Year, this event is alive with colour and culture.
More information:   click here

Festival of Flowers.   17 February - 4 March 2012.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
A celebration of Christchurch's 'Garden City' title, with more colour and beauty than ever!
More information:   click here 

That's Country.   5 March 2012.
Aurora Centre.  7.30pm.
A treat for country music fans, the 80s New Zealand TV show "That's Country" goes on tour, featuring some of its original stars including Suzanne Prentice and Ray Columbus.  
More information and bookings:   click here 

Ellerslie International Flower Show.   7-11 March 2012.
North Hagley Park.
New Zealand's top garden and flower show, in the lovely setting of Hagley Park.
More information and bookings:   click here

I Musici - Serenata Italiana.   9 March 2012.
Aurora Centre.   7.30pm.
The well-regarded ensemble Il Musici, from Rome, presents a selection of Italian serenades, including pieces by Rossini and Paganini.
More information and bookings:   click here  

Georgie Fame and Roy Phillips.  15 March 2012.
Aurora Centre.  7.30pm.
Two legendary UK artists come together to share their individual hits and their favourite duets. 
More information and bookings:   click here 

The Exponents.   16 March 2012.
CBS Canterbury Arena.   7.30pm.
The popular New Zealand band celebrate 30 years together, with an anniversary concert tour. 
More information and bookings:    click here

James Morrison - Tribute to Duke Ellington.   13 April 2012
CBS Canterbury Arena.   8.00pm.
One of the world's great trumpeters pays a tribute to the music of Duke Ellington.
More information and bookings:   click here

Beethoven:  Revolution.   30 April 2012.
Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre.   7.30pm.
The New Zealand String Quartet perform a number of string pieces from Beethoven's 'middle period'. 
More information and bookings:   click here 

Menopause the Musical.   8 May 2012
CBS Canterbury Arena.   8.00pm.
For over 10 years, women (and their menfolk) have enjoyed this light-hearted parody of menopause, set to tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. 
More information and bookings:   click here

Riverdance.  7-10 June 2012
CBS Canterbury Arena. 
This celebration of Irish music, song and dance, returns to Christchurch on their Farewell Tour. 
More information and bookings:   click here 

Sergey Malov and Michael Houstoun.   16 June 2012
Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre.   7.30pm.
Malov on violin, and Houstoun on piano, perform pieces by Beethoven, Psathas, Franck and Ysaye. 
More information and bookings:   click here