With the next set of school holidays not much more than a month away, Spring weather inspiring us to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and spring blossoms, what’s in store around Christchurch in terms of events and happenings over the next two or three months?
Plenty it seems! We’ve included a selection of events in this blog for you to mark in your calendar and plan a trip to the city around, or simply enjoy attending if you happen to already be living in Christchurch.
Bill Bailey, Horncastle Arena, Addington Saturday 22 September
After his 2016 sell-out tour, Larks in Transit, the UK’s very own straggle-haired polymath, Bill Bailey, returns to New Zealand with his new comedy and music extravaganza, Earl of Whimsy.
It has Bill’s trademark blend of satire and surrealism, stories and dismantled jokes, crowd sing-alongs, weird instruments and musical showstoppers.
But there’s a distinctly historical feel to this show. With its tales of Britain’s fortunes past and present, of ancient Viking battles, of Shakespeare’s contribution to comedy, and Bill’s own ancestry, this is both a mockery and a celebration of national identity.
If you are a Bill Bailey fan and you haven’t already booked for this show, there are still tickets left so it’s not too late!
New Zealand Theatre Month – September 2018
New Zealand Theatre Month is for everyone who loves theatre, for audiences and supporters as well as theatre makers, educators and other creatives.
With the generous support of both Christchurch City Council and ASB the Isaac Theatre Royal has put together a full programme of events within the festival, as well as developing a city-wide brochure highlighting the multitude of NZ Theatre Month shows and events being presented throughout Christchurch.
Check out the Isaac Theatre Royal website for information about the shows and events that are happening across September as part of NZ Theatre Month.
Les Miserables, Isaac Theatre Royal, September 14 – October 6 2018
This is a new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables at the Isaac Theatre Royal – the perfect setting for this classic musical based on the book by Victor Hugo.
The epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption set against a nation in the throes of revolution.
Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit.
This Showbiz production will be directed by Stephen Robertson with musical direction by Richard Marrett.
Tickets start from $60 (includes GST, Ticketek Service Fee and a $2.50 ITR Heritage Levy)
Ferrymead Heritage Park Night Market, October 6, 5pm – 9pm
This night market runs monthly on the first Saturday of each month and is a great evening for all ages. Entry is by a gold coin at the door.
Take the night off cooking and come a get something delicious to eat at one of the food vendors. Craft stalls, bouncy castle – candy floss and snow cones, face painting and music.
Have a Twilight ride on the Vulcan railcar or a ride on the tram – only $2 a ride. It will run from 5pm to 9pm October to May and 4pm to 8pm April to September.
Check out the Ferrymead Night Market Facebook page for updates.
FESTA 2018: A Public Festival of Architecture, Design and Food, Labour Weekend (October 19 – 22), Central City, St Asaph Street
The biennial FESTA event has been happening since post quake Christchurch started getting back on its feet and brings life into the central city, intertwining entertainment with art and interactive architectural installations.
This year’s theme explores the connections between food and the city through workshops, talks, pop-up projects, meals, family events, tours, live performance, artworks and more.
These take place at various venues across the city over the course of the weekend, beginning on Friday morning (19 October) and ending Monday night (22 October).
FEASTA! is this year’s headline event – Christchurch’s biggest and brightest street party. This public feast of architecture, community and food is free and open to all.
On Saturday 20 October artists, musicians, community groups, businesses, over one hundred architecture students from across Australasia, and design and architecture professionals will come together to create a spectacular celebration of food and city-making, live for one night only (rain date 21 October).
Check the festa website for more information on all the events and activities happening across Labour Weekend. This event is really worth planning a trip to Christchurch around!
Cup and Show Week, 10 – 17 November 2018
Of course one of the big drawcards bringing people to Christchurch is the annual Cup and Show week, which is focused around Canterbury’s Show Weekend public holiday.
If you are planning to get into the city to enjoy the events from the annual New Zealand Agricultural Show (formerly the A & P Show), through to the horse and greyhound races at Addington and Riccarton Racecourse, and Fashion in the Field, check out what’s in store this year right here.
We recommend you get onto our site to book your accommodation well ahead of time, as Cup and Show Week is always very busy.
