Tag: attractions chch

Summer Things to Do in Christchurch

The summer weather is definitely happening – hot days are becoming more frequent and those beautiful Christchurch blue skies are making everyone smile.

With the temperatures rising, it is always good to know where to go and how to make the most of the warmer weather.

City Council Swimming Pools

Chch swimming pools

From November 17th 2018, the first of the City Council swimming pools and paddling pools will be open for the season with the rest not far behind. You can take the family along to your choice of pools from Halswell to New Brighton!

Three of the Christchurch City Council’s five outdoor pools and all eight paddling pools will reopen on Saturday, 17 November, with the first pool party set for Sunday, 25 November at Te Hāpua Halswell.

Along with Waltham Pool and Lyttelton’s Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, Te Hāpua Halswell is ready to kick off the pre-summer fun, followed by the opening of Templeton Pool on 1 December.

The outdoor pools at Jellie Park (just a 10 minute drive from the Motel) will open on Monday, 3 December following an upgrade.

Both Waltham Pool and Te Hāpua Halswell will host “Tots and Toddlers” events on Sunday, 9 December and Saturday, 9 February, respectively.

Waltham will also celebrate the season with the “Big Xmas Party” on Sunday, 23 December.

Jellie Park will hold school holiday fun days on Saturday, 15 December, and Saturday, 19 January before wrapping up with an “Autumn Pool Party” on Saturday, 2 March.

Lyttelton will host a special “Summer Chill Out” on Sunday, 13 January.

From the Botanic Gardens to New Brighton, the city’s paddling pools are also spruced up and ready for action.

Eight Council-controlled paddling pools in Abberley Park, Avebury Park, Edgar MacIntosh Park, Spencer Park and Woodham Park, along with the very popular Botanic Gardens, Scarborough Park and New Brighton foreshore sites will be open till the end of March 2019.

Beaches

Sumner Beach Christchurch

If you prefer your water to come with plenty of sand to relax on and build sand castles and mud pies with, you will want to make note of the city’s best beaches too.

Waimairi Beach, Sumner Beach and Taylor’s Mistake are three of the most popular options and easiest to get to, while over on Banks Peninsula (head through the Lyttelton Tunnel), you can discover Cass Bay, Purau, Corsair Bay, Governor’s Bay and if you have a little more time, you can catch the ferry or drive around to Diamond Harbour.

You might even want to make the most of the good weather and visit Quail Island for something a little different. Check out the Black Cat site to see when their summer trips are on.

Water Adventures

paddleboarding Lyttelton

If you are a bit more adventurous around water, you might want to take some surfing lessons at Sumner.

sumner surf lessons

Or head to the Estuary for some windsurfing or Lyttelton and the bays for paddleboarding options.

windsurfing on the Estuary

 

Events in Christchurch November and December 2018

Festa 2016

As we head into the warmer months, the events and activities on around Christchurch start to rapidly grow in number, kicking off with the upcoming Labour Weekend festivities.

FESTA events, Labour Weekend

This year will be the third FESTA event and the focus this year is on food and family.

Architecture and design students from around New Zealand and Australia have been working on interactive installations that will be located around the central city and there’s also a programme of events running from Friday October 19th through to Monday 22nd (Labour Day).

The highlight of the event will be held on Saturday night (postponed to Sunday if it rains) and is called FEASTA! A giant free street party for people of all ages including the lit up installations, food stalls, entertainment and much more.

Check out the FESTA website for more details about the Saturday night event and the other 50+ events and activities happening over the long weekend.

Guy Fawkes, 2 November, New Brighton

Guy-Fawkes-2018 Chch

Produced by the Christchurch City Council, this year’s event will deliver a pyrotechnic display set to Anthems of Rock.

So make tracks with your whole family to New Brighton Mall from 6pm for local food options and then to your choice of viewing location.  Most of all, open your eyes and look up to the skies from 9pm for a spectacular fireworks finale on the Pier!

This is always a busy event so plan your travel in advance – parking options are limited so if aim to share a ride, use public transport, or park at a friend’s place. Road closure information is right here on the CCC website.

Viewing locations

  • Central New Brighton either side of the Pier through our sound system.
  • North Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
  • South Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
  • The hills around Pegasus Bay.  Don’t forget to listen to the More FM broadcast by Lana and JMac on 92.1FM!

Note that this event is an alcohol-free zone.

SCAPE Public Art 20 Years, ending November 17

It’s been 20 years  since SCAPE Public Art began to revolutionise the open spaces of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

The Season 2018 is a chance to celebrate the 216 temporary artworks that have popped up during our Seasons and the 14 permanent artworks contributed to Christchurch over the years.

Managing Curator, Heather Galbraith has developed a programme that draws together different strands from SCAPE’s history, integrating past works, and looks toward the future with new and existing works contemplating our relationships to land, sea, language, cultural and political agency and expression, how histories are told and retold, the built environment, and even the cosmos – Our Braided Future being the theme for the Season.

If you’re interested in checking out what the SCAPE event has in store for 2018, check out the programme here.

Cup and Show Week, 10 – 17 November

Running from 10-17 November 2018, this popular annual event brings together Addington Raceway’s Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day, the New Zealand Cup Meeting at Riccarton Park and the New Zealand Agricultural Show.

Highlights this year will include a new spring garden experience in the surrounds of Riccarton Park, fashion and entertainment at Addington Raceway and the opportunity to combine family fun with innovative agribusiness at the NZ Agricultural Show.

And  if all of the above isn’t enough inspiration – check out these incredible sheep that will be on show for the first time! the Valais Blacknose will be a highlight for lots of families at this year’s event.

South Island Wine and Food Festival, Hagley Park, 1 December 2018 

Celebrate with 80 of the South Island’s leading winemakers and food producers in the picturesque North Hagley Park.

40 wineries are joined by the region’s biggest names in food – local restaurateurs, gourmet food producers and street food stalls complement the range of wines on show.

This popular annual Festival includes interactive wine seminars & workshops hosted by Masters of Wine and sommeliers from New Zealand and overseas.

Don’t miss the Cooking Theatre, where you’ll be treated to live demonstrations from Kiwi chefs – or kick back and enjoy live music talent onstage amongst the trees.

It’s usually a beautiful sunny day for this event, so be well prepared (and well hydrated) with hats, sunscreen and something to sit and relax on.

Tickets are still available for the various options and start from $53 per person plus booking fees for entry. General Admission on the day at the gate is $55.00 but numbers may be limited depending on pre-sales.