What’s On In Christchurch In 2026
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
From timewarped beats and celestial celebrations to fire and an icy plunge, I've got you covered for Matariki, the school holidays, winter solstice and beyond. Ōtautahi Christchurch's 2026 lineup is looking mighty fine indeed.
Here are the best events happening in Christchurch in June, July, August and beyond.
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Jump to:
- What's On In Christchurch In June 2026
- What's On In Christchurch In July 2026
- What's On In Christchurch In August 2026
- What's On In Christchurch Later In 2026
What's On In Christchurch In June 2026
& Juliet
30 May-13 June | Isaac Theatre Royal | $65-171
I never expected to be putting Schitt’s Creek and Shakespeare in the same sentence but that’s exactly the cocktail you’re in for if you head along to & Juliet which was created by Emmy Award-winning writer of Schitt’s Creek, David West Read. And as if you needed any further convincing, the soundtrack is off the charts, with iconic pop sonic like Baby One More Time and Since U Been Gone. Holy hell.
Light The Way
Online
Image credit: St John | supplied
Vital ambulance service Hato Hone St John is calling for public support for their Light the Way annual appeal. This year, raised funds will be used to build, repair and upgrade ambulance stations in Whāngarei, Auckland, Morrinsville, Cambridge, Palmerston North, Nelson, North Canterbury, Ōamaru, Invercargill, and Alexandra so that staff have everything they need to do their job to their utmost ability. If this kaupapa resonates, you can donate here.
The Details
When: Throughout June 2026
Where: Online
Find out more here.
Fire & Spice
Riverside Market
Image credit: Riverside Market | website
Things are heating up at Riverside Market this winter with the return of Fire & Spice. Expect fire-cooked kai from the likes of Cluck Cluck Slurp, Dimitris, El Quincho, Ramen Ria, Roti Joes and more with a side of Brazilian Zouk, a Strawberry Fairy and, in an extra cute flourish, free marshmallows for kids to toast over the market’s fire pits. There’s even an R18 spicy food showdown where brave punters will eat their way through spicy wings, loaded fries, ramen soup and tacos, each more flame-kissed than the last.
The Details
When: 13 June 2026
Where: Riverside Market, Cnr Lichfield Street & Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Winter Solstice Ride
Hagley Park
Pimp your ride with as many fairy lights as the poor stead will hold, then pedal on over to the Winter Solstice Ride joining in a 15-year strong tradition of cycling counter-clockwise around Hagley Park then rewarding your efforts with an ale at Pegasus Arms. Set to forge ahead no matter the weather, it could turn out to be a dreamy evening ride or an adrenaline-spiking rider-against-hail situation. Sounds like a vibe.
The Details
When: 21 June 2026
Where: Hagley Park, 1 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Mid-Winter Polar Plunge
New Brighton Beach
If you’ve ever looked outside on a cold winter’s day and thought ‘this would be much better if I was submerged in sub-Antarctic level water’, you’re in luck. Thanks to the New Zealand Antarctic Society you can do exactly that at the Mid-Winter Polar Plunge, just off shore from New Brighton Beach. And on the shortest day of the year, no less. BYO flask of your hot drink of choice, you’re going to need it.
The Details
When: 21 June 2026
Where: New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club, 186 Marine Parade, New Brighton
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Encraftment Winter Market
Pioneer Leisure Centre
There’s something about colder winter nights that has me reaching for my knitting needles in the hope that I’ll finally finish that blanket I started an embarrassingly long time ago. If you, too, feel that inexplicable pull to craft well above your ability, you might like to skip along to the Encraftment Winter Market and rub shoulders with crafters who actually know what they’re doing (maybe it’ll even rub off).
The Details
When: 27 & 28 June 2026
Where: Pioneer Leisure Centre, 61 Lyttelton Street, Somerfield
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
What's On In Christchurch In July 2026
Matariki At The Gallery
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Celebrate the rising of the Punanga and the Matariki star cluster with more free activities than you can shake a pot of stardust at. Te Puna o Waiwhetū is going all-out with weaving workshops, music and poetry performances, science, night sky kōrero, interactive activities and storytelling.
The Details
When: 8-11 July 2026
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, 312 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Pooh Bear Live
James Hay Theatre, Town Hall
It’s been 100 years since A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh was published and to celebrate, the Hundred Acre Wood is popping up in Christchurch. For just one day, some of the most beloved storybook characters will come to life on stage, with a little help of magic, song, dance and comedy in Pooh Bear Live. Wholesome.
The Details
When: 15 July 2026
Where: James Hay Theatre, Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch
Cost: $56.52
Find out more here.
The Bubble Spectacular
James Hay Theatre, Town Hall
Round up the kids, The Bubble Spectacular is one to hit this July school holidays. Promising bubbles of all sizes—even volcano, tornado and, perhaps most impressively, square ones—and the world’s biggest bubble party hosted by the one and only Dr Hubble, this gig’s sure to be unbelieva-bubble (sorry not sorry).
The Details
When: 19 July 2026
Where: James Hay Theatre, Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch
Cost: $39.64
Find out more here.
What's On In Christchurch In August 2026
Alan Davies: Think Ahead
Christchurch Town Hall
Image credit: Alan Davies | supplied
Here's something Quite Interesting: after a decade away, beloved QI funny man, Alana Davies, is back on Kiwi shores. Touring nationwide with a brand new hour of material, Think Ahead sees him reckon with getting old. Aren't. We. All.
The Details
When: 12 August 2026
Where: Christchurch Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street
Cost: $81.46
Find out more here.
Go Live 2026
Christchurch Town Hall
For the uninitiated, Go Live Festival is a blast back to the bangers of the 90s and 00s, while also being a celebration of where music is set to go next with a generous sprinkling of emerging contemporary legends. Get a load of this insane lineup: Opshop, Push Push, Pluto, There’s A Tuesday, Into the Void, The Boondocks, Volts, The Eastern, Caitlin, Velveteen, Lunar Intruder, Saint Peter’s Thursday, and Dig The Gig Winner. It’s giving a music amalgamation that transcends time. Word.
The Details
When: 22 August 2026
Where: Christchurch Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street
Cost: $42.80
Find out more here.
What's On In Christchurch Later In 2026
Urban Wine Walk
Various
Strut your stuff, glass-first, as you revel in the good drops at the Urban Wine Walk. Start smart with a feed at your chosen venue then sashay your way along the trail, tasting the wine artistry of ten makers, plus score a lil’ voucher to make ordering your faves on the day that little more spesh. The locations? 1851 Social, Casa Publica, Gin Gin, Kong, Miro, O.G.B., Odeon, Original Sin and The Victoria Free House.
The Details
When: 5 September 2026
Where: As above
Cost: From $79
Find out more here.
Chris Parker: Take A Good Hard Look At Me
James Hay Theatre, Town Hall
Chris Parker needs no introduction. And if you’ve been lucky enough to see him live on stage already, you’ll know this is one to snap up, stat. Returning to the St James Theatre Wellington, Chris brings his show Take A Good Hard Look At Me to the masses. Get amongst.
The Details
When: 5 September 2026
Where: James Hay Theatre, Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch
Cost: $49.90
Find out more here.
R&B Fest
Hide Club
Is there anything better than a musical jaunt through the ages? We think not. The bill at R&B Fest is going to be stacked with the likes of Sean Paul, Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Kelis, Usher, Ms Lauren Hill, Destiny’s Child, Ginuwine, and Eve, and the vibes will be high thanks to promises of confetti showers, inflatable microphones and dance wizardry. The 90s are calling. And you better pick up that phone, yo.
The Details
When: 5 September 2026
Where: Hide Club, 172 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City
Cost:
Find out more here.
The Wiggles Live In Concert
Christchurch Town Hall
Clear the calendar, if you grew up with The Wiggles and you’ve now got sprogs of your own, it’s practically your civic duty to take the tikes along to experience the magic for themselves (or, like, relieve the good ol’ days). The concerts are set at the very kid-friendly hours of 10am and 1pm so there’s nothing left but to lock in a haul of tickets and get ready to scream Fruit Salad, YUMMY YUMMY at the top of your lungs.
The Details
When: 14 & 15 October 2026
Where: Christchurch Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City
Cost: $28
Find out more here.
Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley LIVE - The Genuine Friends Tour
Christchurch Town Hall
It’s breakfast radio reimagined with Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley live on stage with the raucous laughs, unfiltered storytelling and cheeky energy that’s been carrying us through a weekday morning since ages ago. So if that sounds like a bit of you, you’ll want to pop on over here and snag some tickets to The Genuine Friends Tour.
The Details
When: 16 October 2026
Where: Christchurch Town Hall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City
Cost: $59.02
Find out more here.
Lakes Festival
Hagley Park
Image credit: Lakes Festival | Instagram
Ten hours of sonic seasoning await you at the 2026 edit of Lakes Festival. Every year the one-day music festival is jammed full of global, national and local music artistry, making it a charming precursor to new year’s eve festivities. Take a gander at the full lineup here, then act fast and make it official.
The Details
When: 28 December 2026
Where: Hagley Park
Cost: $159
Find out more here.
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Main image credit: Vivian Wong