Art & creativity, Things to do  |  20 Jan 2026

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Singer Naomi Ferguson is delighted to be appearing on stage at Hagley Park with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra next month.

The accomplished vocalist and performer will treat the audience to songs made famous by divas Kate Bush, Barbara Streisand and Edith Piaf among others, at a special Valentine’s Day themed Mitre10 Sparks on Saturday 14 February.

It’s the 43rd anniversary of the popular open-air concert and the third time Naomi has appeared at the event.

“I love performing with orchestras, it’s pretty much my favourite thing to do in the world. There’s this sense of being carried, a bit like catching a wave when you’re surfing!” 

Born here, Naomi grew up in Tauranga but calls Ōtautahi home after moving back to study at CPIT Jazz School in the nineties. She performs nationally, recently appearing with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra for ‘Simply the Best – A Celebration of the Greatest Pop Divas’.

“It’s such a treat to perform with the CSO. These kinds of events are what singers live for, and it’s a real privilege to perform for Christchurch and to do a concert like Sparks. I also love that it’s a free concert. It’s nice to do something where anyone can come, there’s no barrier to entry.”

She’ll be joined by two other local talents on the night, Kate Taylor and Nic Kyle, who were also locally trained at Ara Music Arts and NASDA respectively.

This year’s programme will include a great variety of Valentine’s themed music by popular artists including The Beatles, Adele, The Bee Gees and Burt Bacharach as well as more traditional pieces.

With a crowd of over 20,000 expected, Naomi says Mitre10 Sparks genuinely appeals to a broad range of people. 

“There are other big outdoor events that are very much for young people or a party atmosphere, but Sparks is an institution,” she says.

“I remember when I came down here to study at jazz school and going to Sparks for the first time and being like ‘wow, I’m in the big city now’! And seeing an orchestra performing outside is really, really cool. You can take a picnic, you can take kids, you can buy food down there. It just feels wholesome!”

  • Gates open 5.30pm
  • Live music from 6.25pm
  • Main Show 7.30pm
  • Fireworks display 9.30pm

This year’s Mitre10 Sparks charity partner is Rānui House who will be fundraising on the night.