What’s On In Christchurch In 2025
Lachlan Woods-Davidson
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ
From the hills to the city, from the plains to the sea—Ōtautahi Christchurch is laden with gems just waiting to be discovered. Who's doing the discovering? You. Who's done the digging? Me.
Of course, by 'gems' I mean the many electric events that entertain lucky Cantabrians every single week. That catalogue just keeps getting bigger and better, and baby, if you want to spice up your schedule without straying too far from home, you've come to the right place.
So what exactly, in honest old Ōtautahi, is onnnnn? Here are the best events happening in Christchurch in 2025.
P.S. Don't forget to scroll down to check out what's happening all year round (like pub quizzes and markets, and all that cool stuff).
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What's On In Christchurch In November 2025
Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra
1 November | Wolfbrook Arena | $$-$$$
Image credit: Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra | supplied
Black Sabbath meets the Double Bass? Metallica by Maestros? Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra is about the most fantastical thing I've ever heard of—a high-octane collision of metal and classical music with a 29-piece orchestra belting out all your favourite head-banging anthems this Saturday. From the teams behind Symphony and Come Together, there’s only one venue that could harness so much classical carnage and that’s Wolfbrook Arena. They did say Mozart was the rockstar of his age…
Bill Bailey—Vaudevillean
4 November | Wolfbrook Arena | $$$
Image credit: WellingtonNZ | Website
Laughs, music and multifarious skills. Ever heard of Vaudeville? Before streaming, TV, cinema, and radio, there was Vaudeville and the bona fide comedic legend that is Bill Bailey is returning to the Chur with a show that celebrates this great tradition. A versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess—old Billy Boy could lay claim to being, quite possibly, the foremost practitioner of this tradition. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.
Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival
7-9 November | James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall | $-$$
Image credit: Christchurch NZ | Website
It’s finally happening—New Zealand Fashion Week is going south. The inaugural Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival is taking over Ōtautahi with three jam-packed days of runway shows, designer talks, panels, and parties. THE ICONIC is presenting The New Guard at the James Hay Theatre, there'll be front row seats to Caitlin Crisp’s Resort 2025 homecoming, and The George will present The Spring Edit, representing Aotearoa’s biggest names in fashion.
Beyond the catwalks, fashion fans can catch panels like Fashion In Focus at CoCA, a Beyond the Runway styling masterclass at Ballantynes, and even a scent launch at Taylor in Merivale. It’s all part of a citywide celebration of style, creativity, and a very chic kind of chaos. Tickets start at $45 via Ticketmaster—so grab your mates and make a weekend of it.
Chrstmas Encraftment Market
23 & 24 November | Pioneer Leisure Centre | Free
Image credit: Encraftment Market | Facebook
This is another one you’ll have to wait a little while for, but take it from me, you’ll be glad you had time to save up your pennies. And not because of the price tags, but because of how much lovely stuff you’re going to have to convince your better half to take home… “Seriously? Another small mug that looks like it would’ve been teased at Briscoes? That's thirteen this week.”
Held as many times as I’m seen out these days—twice a year (always anticipated, sorely missed)—the Encraftment Market is returning to Christchurch for two days in late November. Considered a premier handmade craft market around these parts, Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 will see Pioneer Leisure Centre absolutely bursting at the seams with this year’s Christmas Encraftment. Entry is free, but attendance is a must, as every dollar you spend directly supports small local businesses in a time when running your own joint is getting harder by the day.
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
27 November | Isaac Theatre Royal | $$$
Image credit: Tom Ham | Instagram
American singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten is set to rock Canterbury this November and for the first time with her very own band—The Attachment Theory (who join her on her seventh and latest album). As such, you can expect a slightly different but no less incredible sound from the artist whose haunting vocals had a starring role in Yellowjackets. The group are also set to headline The Others Way 2025 festival in Auckland, later in the month.
What's On In Christchurch In December 2025
Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest
Entries Open December, Grand Final 11 July 2026
New Zealand's premier classical singing competition is entering a new era with a fitting rebrand: from 2026, it'll be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has taken on principal naming rights for the 69-year-old competition, which has launched the careers of some of Aotearoa's brightest operatic stars, including Dame Kiri herself. It's a full-circle moment. Entries open December 2025, with the Grand Final Gala set for 11 July 2026.
What's On In Christchurch In 2026
Soweto Gospel Choir
1 April | Christchurch Town Hall | $$
Image credit: Soweto Gospel Choir | Stefan Meekers Concertphotography
The three-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is bringing their globally acclaimed show to Christchurch's Town Hall, and if you missed them selling out two nights in Auckland earlier this year, now's your chance on home soil. If you aren't familiar with these incredible performers, they celebrate Nelson Mandela's Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights era with South African liberation songs, gospel classics, and contemporary hits from legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Sam Cooke. Dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music—it's an all-ages affair.
What's On In Christchurch In 2025—Ongoing
Beat The Work Blues With Weeknight Laughs
Last Monday Of The Month/Thursdays | Good Times Comedy Club/Austin | Free/$
Image credit: Austin Club | Instagram
Yeah, the nine-to-five is a drainer, and by 11am Monday the weekend already looks as good as Ana de Armas on the beach. But that doesn't mean you have to live solely for those two days of allocated freedom.
Nah, Mondays at Good Times Comedy Club is a duplicitous affair of Good Advice, Bad Advice featuring level-headed recommendations from registered therapist and social worker Logan Robinson. These morsels of sound advice are then completely corrupted by award-winning stand-up comedian Taylor Ruddie.
Come Thursday, it's The Laugh Cellar Comedy Show at Austin Club—arguably Christchurch's best-kept comedy secret. A NYC comedy-cellar-styled hour of side-splitting stuff, fueled by 10% off all drinks for the duration of the show. Still, these professionals are very much sharp enough to enjoy sober.
Test Your IQ At A Plethora Of Quiz Nights
Various Hours, Days & Venues | Mostly Free To Patrons
Image credit: Dux Central | Instagram
If you're in a more serious kind of mood, or just like to flex your grey matter every so often, then maybe a midweek quiz night is the right kind of night for you. Here's a selection, in order of day, then time:
Tuesdays
- Dux Central
- Holey Moley Bar
- A Rolling Stone
- The Old Vicarage
- The Good Home, Prebbleton
- Bridie's Bar & Bistro
Wednesdays
Thursdays
And a cheeky way-back-from-the-mountain Sunday option at The Blue Pub in Methven, or Renegade Brewing when you get back to town.
Some Soulful Evenings of Jazz Or Blues
Times Slightly Vary | Thai Orchid, Crazy Horse & The Arts Centre | Free To Patrons/$
Image credit: Thai Orchid
Every Wednesday and Thursday, sister Thai spots Thai Orchid and Crazy Horse put on an exposé of proper live music. Wednesdays at the Orchid alternate between the mastery of three-piece jazz arrangement, Chill & Passion, and the heart-tearing talents of Frans the Blues Man, setting the mood with his keyboard, guitar, harmonica and soulful vocals. One Thursday at Crazy Horse, you'll catch Chill & Passion, the next it's the soul magic of Esther Romana.
Try An Open Mic, Or Just Sit Back And Enjoy
Various Hours, Days & Venues | Free To Patrons/Sometimes $ To Play
Image credit: Debra Manny Mosley
If you didn't already know, Ōtautahi Christchurch is a preeminent incubator of homegrown musical and artistic talent. Don't believe me? Head down to Boo Radley's on a Wednesday, Miller Bar on a Thursday or take your pick from Embankment Tavern or Crazy Horse on Friday to check out the latest crop of Cantabrian grassroots.
Of course, if you fancy yourself a performer, the stage is yours. But for us mere spectating mortals, both venues offer good food, good drink and plenty atmosphere.
The Many Māketes of Ōtautahi
Various Hours, Days & Locations | Mostly Free To Enter
Image credit: Christchurch Farmers’ Market | Instagram
If you happen to have a few taste buds, some spare change and a pulse, you probably love a good market. Who doesn't? Lucky for us all, Christchurch is practically teeming with various fairs of fares, and if you're not sure which one to choose, head on over to my expert selection to take your pick for the upcoming weekend. And then the weekend after that, and then the one after that, and so on and so forth until you simply cease to exist.
Fuel your night out at the best restaurants in Christchurch.
Main image credit: Vivian Wong