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 October 2025

Quiz Night for Singles

1 October | Embers & Ashes | $

The days are getting warmer, the weather hotter, and I reckon your love life should follow suit. Here's another singles night at BBQ joint Embers & Ashes—a sizzling night, you could say... solos will be matched with others in a similar age range, nibbles are provided for each table a few special lightning rounds will help you get to know whomever might sit across from you on the night.

Lads On Tour Cabaret

2 October | Darkroom | $

Drag, circus, burlesque, comedy, dance, poetry... Lads On Tour Cabaret is back with another variety show for other ages. Going down (not literally) at Darkroom on 2 October, what was originally meant to be a one-off informal variety show has now become a bit of an icon. MC and producer Feather Unsure at the helm. A motley menagerie of performers in every show. R18, of course.

Queen Lear

2-4 October | Lyttelton Arts Factory | $$

Hwyl Theatre's Queen Lear is a sci-fi queer epic for the ages. That's their words, not mine, but I feel I can hardly beat that as an opening. And here's some more of that same brilliance: "join us as we bring life to a wasteland, with an original score, robots, talented actors, laser guns, intricate language, and spectacular visual effects."  Staged at the only venue worth this amount of epicness: Lyttelton Arts Factory.

Thrift & Sip Market

5 October Evil Genius Bar | $

Christchurch’s favourite thrifters are returning for another round of curated chaos. Vintage streetwear, dreamy silks, pre-loved designer and timeless staples—it’s all things circular fashion, curated racks, good taste with absolutely zero landfill guilt attached. There's even an exclusive First Look Hour from 11am-12pm if you're fizzing just thinking about it.

Quail Island Pirate Hunt

'Til 5 October | Quail Island | $

I know school hols can be a bit crazy. So why not go the way of the pirates and desert the little ones on an island? Okay, that might be a bit extreme, but there is an island treasure hunt currently running for them on Quail Island in Littleton harbour, which is back by popular demand for the spring school holidays.

The King's Speech

'Til 1 November | Stewart Family Theatre | $$

It's so good it's had its season extended—based on the Academy Award-winning film starring Colin Firth, The King's Speech is the inspiring story of how King George VI found his voice. In fact, it was conceived as a play before being turned into the Academy Award-winning film, so it's no wonder that it's doing so well. Playing at the main 377-seat auditorium—Stewart Family Theatre—at the newly rebuilt The Court Theatre in Christchurch 'til 1 November.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

8-9 October | Rydges Latimer | $$$

Image credit: Dani Katy | Eventfinda

Anyone who grew up watching Fawlty Towers, raise your hand. You'll all be amped to see the famous John Cleese-led series brought to life through this one-of-a-kind, comedy-meets-cuisine experience. Following on from a hugely successful season in 2024, audiences can expect a side-splitting, fully immersive improv show complete with '70s-style dinner. How spiffing.

Explorers' Day | Ice and Sky

11 October | Air Force Museum of New Zealand | Free

Another gem for the school hols—have the sprogs discover the wonders of Antarctica and aerospace with hands-on activities for all ages, including immersive domes, polar tents, and VR headsets offering a teleportary (is that a word? Now it is) experience to icy landscapes, survival gear, and the wildlife of the frozen south. This is all going on at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, and it's all free.

The Christchurch Geek Market

12 October | Richmond Working Men's Club | $2 Donation To I Am Hope

Here's a bazaar for all things geeky where you can buy, trade, offer, or just hang out with like-minded geeks. It's The Christchurch Geek Market, which, on 12 October, will be chock-a-block with action figures, comic books, movie and TV merchandise, vinyl, LEGO and much, much more. And just a $2 donation to a good cause to enter? Aren't geeks the best damn people in the world?

Dani Josie SUCKERPUNCH

18 October | Tuning Fork | $ 

Image credit: Dani Josie | Supplied

It's about time we had a punk icon make waves on these shores.

Embodying every ounce of moxie and misfit madness that modern times so desperately miss, Wellingtonian Dani Josie is embarking on her bona fide antidote of a first-ever headline tour. SUCKERPUNCH will be rocking a city near you over the next month, delivering Josie's energetic, articulate performance with a healthy dose of chaos, connection, community, and, most certainly, damn good live music.

Black Caps v England

18 & 20 October | Hagley Oval | $

Image credit: Black Caps | Instagram

Picture this: it's a beautiful summery spring day with that all-time Norwester flowing gently across the plains and right into you and your mates, kicking back at the oval, witnessing the mighty Black Caps crush England at one of two ripper T20 Internationals. It's completely possible—that exercise in our imagination. "How?" You ask. Why, it's the Summer of Cricket.

Climate Action Campus Spring Market

25 October | Climate Action Campus | Free Entry

The Climate Action Campus is holding its annual Spring fundraising market toward the end of October, and it's set to be a biggie with over 80 stalls and food trucks showcasing local businesses and student enterprises. An extravaganza of sorts—like any market worth perusing, there'll also be live music on the day, plus speakers, and free games for kids and adults alike. A day for the whanau.

Constellation Cup: Silver Ferns v Australia

29 October | Wolfbrook Arena | $$

Image credit: Silver Ferns | Michael Bradley

And in a very similar vein, our gun netballers will be facing off with those neighbours of ours at the end of the month. Another international test coming to Ōtautahi, it's the Silver Ferns taking on the Australian Diamonds for the Constellation Cup at Wolfbrook Arena come 29 October.

What's On In Christchurch In November 2025

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.

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 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

• Castro's Tapas & Bar
• Muy Muy
• The Rock Restaurant and Bar 

Thursdays

• Winnie Bagoes

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

Fuel your night out at the best restaurants in Christchurch.

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Main image credit: Vivian Wong