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.

Festival of Flowers.  19 February - 14 March 2010.
Various sites around Christchurch.
Christchurch's annual celebration of the floral world, including displays, garden tours, food, music, and numerous activities.  A highlight is the floral carpet in Christchurch Cathedral on display 19-28 February.
More information:  click here

'Home Land'.  20 February - 20 March 2010
The Court Theatre. 
New Zealand playwright Gary Henderson's moving play examines what we do with our aged.  Featuring John Bach.
More information and bookings:  click here

Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra.  20 February 2010
Christchurch Cathedral.  8.00pm.
This independent orchestra is composed mostly of graduates from major German conservatories.
Also performing in St Michaels and All Angels Church at 8.00pm on 28 February.
More information and bookings:  click here    

Tom Jones.  25 February 2010.
Westpac Arena.   7.00pm.
A singing career spanning over four decades, numerous hits and awards, and still going strong.
More information and bookings:  click here

 
Twenty20 Cricket - NZ vs Australia.  28 February 2010
AMI Stadium.  6.00pm.
More information and tickets:  click here

Lyttelton Summer Street Party.  28 February 2010
The culmination of the Lyttelton Summer Festival (running 19-28 February), when Lyttelton's main street is filled with music, performance and food. 
More information:  click here  

Cliff Richard and the Shadows.  1-2 March 2010
Westpac Arena. 
Fifty years after they first recorded together, they come to Christchurch as part of their final tour.  The combination dominated the British music scene in the early 1960s, and have individually enjoyed considerable success ever since. 
More information and bookings:  click here

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald & Mick Fleetwood.  3 March 2010.
Westpac Arena.  6.30pm.
Three great acts in one evening.  Boz Scaggs recorded several top hits and albums in the 1970s, Michael McDonald was a member of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, while Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac fame) will be accompanied by his band.
More information and bookings:  click here  

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.  5 March 2010
Christchurch Town Hall.  8.00pm.
Christchurch's resident orchestra opens its 2010 season with Tchaikovsky's 'Manfred' Symphony, plus works by  Rautavaara and New Zealand composer John Psathas.
More information:  click here  

Waipara Valley Wine and Food Festival.  6 March 2010
Glenmark Church, Waipara.  
A  day out in the lovely grounds of Glenmark church in the heart of Canterbury's main wine-growing area, 40 minutes north of Christchurch.  Sample wine and food from the region and enjoy the varied entertainment, led by The Warratahs.
More information and tickets:  click here

Chinese Lantern Festival.    6-7 March 2010
Victoria Square.
See in the Year of the Tiger, with the enchantment of hundreds of coloured lanterns, plus Chinese performance, crafts and food stalls.
More information:  click here

Ellerslie International Flower Show.  10-14 March 2010
Hagley Park.
New Zealand's premier garden show, with almost 100 horticultural exhibits, including 30 gardens, and featuring two international feature gardens by Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw and Japanese designer Koji Ninomiya.
More information and tickets:  click here

Old Crow Medicine Show.  25 March 2010
James Hay Theatre.   7.30pm. 
This quintet from Nashville performs bluegrass, folk and country with a rock 'n roll attitude.  Popular tourers with 3 albums and regular appearances on radio show 'A Prairie Home Companion' to their credit.   
More information and bookings:  click here

'The Female of the Species'.  27 March - 8 May 2010
The Court Theatre. 
Joanna Murray-Smith's part-satire, part-farce about a feminist writer, was inspired by a real-life incident when Germaine Greer was briefly held captive in her own home.
More information and bookings:  click here  

Grumpy Old Women.  27 March 2010
James Hay Theatre.  7.30pm.
Spawned from a BBC television show, there are plenty of laughs in this production celebrating women of a certain age.  Directed by David McPhail and on tour with an all-kiwi cast.
More information and bookings:  click here

Dance of Desire.  3 April 2010
James Hay Theatre.  Two performances.
The spectacular Irish music and dance show performs in Christchurch as part of a world tour, with a cast of 22 dancers and celtic musicians. 
More information and bookings:  click here  

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  15-24 April 2010
Isaac Theatre Royal.
Showbiz Christchurch present the ever-popular Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical and dancing extravaganza.
More information and bookings:  click here 

John Mayall.  23 April 2010.
James Hay Theatre.  8.00pm.
The pioneering English blues singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist's career spans since the 1960s.  He founded the Bluesbreakers, and has been influential in the careers of many instrumentalists. 
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