Christchurch Events:  What's on

Listing of Christchurch art, theatre, concerts, classical music, festivals, exhibitions and sport - maintained by The Inside Story tours. 

There are plenty of great events going on in Christchurch.  Check out the list below (in date order) to ensure you don’t miss out when you visit.

Scroll to bottom of page for a print version.

'The Perfumed Garden'.   16 July - 14 August 2010
The Forge,  Court Theatre. 
Dean Parker's work portraying the world of desire and danger in  Afghanistan, through the many invasions over the ages. 
More information and bookings:  click here  

'The Sunshine Boys'.  24 July - 4 September 2010
The Court Theatre.
Neil Simon's (best known for The Odd Couple) comedy about a former veteran vaudeville duo act, staging a reunion for a lucrative television show.
More information and bookings:  click here 

New Zealand International Film Festival.  29 July - 15 August 2010
Various venues.
An annual feast of some of the best international movies of the last year. 
More information and bookings:  click here   

Rodgers and Hammerstein - A Tribute.  31 July 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra plays favourites from South Pacific, The King and I, Carousel and The Sound of Music.
More information and bookings:  click here   

Liberace, Live From Heaven.  7 August 2010
James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall.
Leading UK pianist and comedian Bobby Crush performs in an imaging of Lee Liberace's impact on heaven following his demise in 1987.  Scripted by playwright Julian Woolford.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Rugby:  All Blacks vs Australia.   7 August 2010
AMI Stadium.   7.35pm.
The Bledisloe Cup clash in the newly completed AMI Stadium.
Bookings:  click here 

Early Antarctic Photography.   20 August 2010 - 20 February 2011
Robert McDougall Gallery at Canterbury Museum.
The Heart of the Great Alone exhibition of early Antarctic photography including Ponting's images of Scott's Terra Nova expedition and Frank Hurley's images of Ernest Shackleton's Endurance expedition.
More information:  click here 

Celebrating the Elements - Water.   22 August 2010
Christchurch Cathedral.  2.00pm. 
As part of its series celebrating the elements, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performs pieces evoking water, including Mozart's Ave Verum Marimas and Steel Pans and Concerto for Flute and Harp, and Steve Reich's Music For Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ.
More information and bookings:  click here 

'Auntie and Me'.  28 August 2010
James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall.   8.00pm.
Two of New Zealand's greatest veteran theatrical talents, Dame Kate Harcourt and David McPhail, team up in a dark comedy about a middle-aged self-involved bachelor caring for his dying aunt.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Feng Ning.  28 August 2010.
Christchurch Town Hall.   8.00pm.
The acclaimed Chinese violinist joins the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra for works including Beethoven Symphony No. 2 and Larry Pruden's Symphony for Strings.   
More information and bookings:  click here 

Piers Lane and the Doric String Quartet.   6 September 2010
James Hay Theatre.   7.30pm.
Acclaimed Australian pianist Piers Lane in collaboration with the prize-winning quartet.
More information and bookings:   click here 

The Press Christchurch Writers Festival.  9-12 September 2010
Christchurch Town Hall
Four days with 50 events and 80 writers on stage, including Simon Winchester, Barbara Trapido and Clive Hamilton.
More information and bookings:   click here   

'Don't Mention Casablanca'.  11 September - 9 October 2010
The Court Theatre.
Michelanne Forster's tribute to the power of family, is inspired by the true story of her Jewish grandmother, who fled Nazi-ruled Vienna for a better life for her family.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Soundscapes.   16 September 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.   6.30pm.
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, with guest Scottish percussionist Colin Currie.
More information and bookings:  click here   

Gloria.   18 September 2010.
Christchurch Town Hall.   8.00pm.
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Christchurch City Choir perform choral pieces by celebrated French composers - Poulenc's Gloria, Faure's Requiem and Charpentier's Te Deum. 
More information and bookings:  click here 

Daniel O'Donnell.   21 September 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.   7.30pm. 
Ireland's most popular 'easy-listening' singer returns to New Zealand.
More information and bookings:  click here

Celebrating the Elements - Air.    26 September 2010
Christchurch Cathedral.  2.00pm.
As part of its series celebrating the elements, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra's performs pieces inspired by air, including Richard Strauss's Wind Serenade, Beethoven's Cavatina and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Winds.   
More information and bookings:  click here 

Sleeping Beauty.  30 September 2010
Isaac Theatre Royal.   8.00pm. 
The Imperial Russian Ballet Company return to New Zealand with their performance of the classic masterpiece.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Bernstein and Sondheim.  2 October 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.   8.00pm.
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra showcases the works of these two brilliant composers, including music from West Side Story.
More information and bookings:  click here   

Tosca.  14-25 October 2010
Isaac Theatre Royal.  
Puccini's classic opera is presented by Southern Opera with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. 
More information and bookings:  click here 

NZSO Soloists.   15 October 2010
James Hay Theatre.   7.30pm.
Soloists from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra perform a set of pieces for strings. 
More information and bookings:  click here


Andre Rieu.  24 October 2010
Westpac Arena.  8.00pm.
Coming to Christchurch with his Johann Strauss Orchestra and many soloists, the Dutch conductor and composer is best known for creating an international revival in waltz music.
More information and bookings:  click here

Rufus Wainwright.   28 October 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.   8.00pm.
The singer-songwriter and pianist plays pieces from throughout his career.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Schuberitiade.  1 November 2010
James Hay Theatre.   7.30pm.
Works by Schubert performed by Michael Houstoun and the New Zealand String Quartet.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Leonard Cohen.   3 November 2010
CBS Canterbury Arena.   7.00pm. 
The hugely influential Canadian singer-songwriter returns to New Zealand following a highly acclaimed tour early last year. 
More information and bookings:  click here   

Last Night at the Proms.   6 November 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.   7.30pm.
An annual highlight with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Canterbury A&P Show.  10-12 November 2010
Canterbury Agricultural Park.
Country comes to town in New Zealand's largest Agricultural and Pastoral show, showcasing NZ farming and rural life, food, wine, horticultural displays and great entertainment.
More information and bookings:  click here 

Robin Gibb.   12 November 2010
CBS Canterbury Arena.  7.30pm.
Returns to New Zealand to play the greatest hits of the Bee Gees. 
More information and bookings:  click here 

The Nutcracker.  17-20 November 2010
Isaac Theatre Royal. 
With Christmas approaching, The Royal New Zealand Ballet brings to Christchurch their reworked version of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece. 
More information and bookings:  click here   

David Helfgott.  23 November 2010
Isaac Theatre Royal.   7.30pm. 
The Australian concert pianist, the subject of the movie Shine, performs a range of popular works by the great romantic composers. 
More information and bookings:  click here

Jack Johnson.   30 November 2010
CBS Canterbury Arena.   7.30pm.
Hawaiian-based singer-songwriter Jack Johnson performs songs from his most recent album, as well as hits from his previous albums. 
More information and bookings:  click here