What's on over the long weekend

Looking for ways to fill the long weekend? There's plenty on over the next three days in Christchurch!

Big Band Festival

The Christchurch Big Band Festival is underway and running until Monday. On Friday check out the bands at Riverside Market from 11am, enjoy the Ellensburg Big Band at Fat Eddie’s, and watch the Jazz Parade at 5pm by the Bridge of Remembrance. Spend your Saturday at The Church Pub to hear a line up of bands, grab a bite to eat and listen to some Big Band Music at Riverside Market, and take part in an all-in Big Band workshop with Lana Law at The Piano.

Kick off your Sunday with a Trambush and listen to jazz on the tram, and make your way to the Arts Centre for the 70’s Big Band Blast and the Great Hall Big Band Boogie Ball.  Finish off the long weekend with a Big Band Picnic at Archery Lawn on Monday and the Festival Finale at Fat Eddie’s. View all the events on the Big Band website.

Indian Social & Cultural Club Diwali 2024

The festival of lights is back! Immerse yourself in the vibrant Indian culture at Diwali with music and dance performances, food stalls, fireworks and entertainment including dazzling lights and thrilling rides.

The Indian Social and Cultural Club Diwali 2024 event will be held from 2 – 9.30pm Saturday in North Hagley Park. Entry is free. 

Yacht racing in the park

Come along to the Christchurch Model Yacht Club clubhouse in North Hagley Park and have a go at model yacht sailing with club members on Victoria Lake. The club was established in 1898 and is New Zealand’s oldest Model Yacht Club, now running for 126 years. 

Head down from 10am – midday Saturday or 10am – 2pm Sunday. The clubhouse is beside the Armagh Street carpark, botanic Gardens. The event will be held at the club’s jetty on Victoria Lake.

Ferrymead Railway Celebrates 60 years of Preservation

This weekend the Ferrymead Railway is celebrating 60 years since it began the Ferrymead Railway project – the first heritage railway to be established in Canterbury. The volunteers, their families and supporters will celebrate 60 years of the railway on Saturday with an enthusiast’s photography day, a commemorative book launch and a celebratory buffet dinner.

Over Sunday and Monday, the railway will be showcasing its extensive collection with guided tours and operating passenger services predominantly using steam motive power. Please note entry to Ferrymead Heritage Park is required. Train tickets can be purchased from Moorhouse village station within the park on the day.  

Little River Railway Station Museum and Trains

The Little River Railway Station Trust has been working on an upgrade, and its museum is now refreshed with heritage exhibits on display! Come and find out about the interesting history of this railway station on Banks Peninsula and enjoy the trains!

Pop down from 10am – 4.30pm Monday.  Find more information on What’s On.

Canterbury Dahlia Circle Tuber Sale

Canterbury Dahlia Circle are holding their annual tuber sale on Saturday at St Peters Church carpark.  Grab a bargain and score good quality tubers from experienced growers and breeders for $5 each. Club members will be there to provide assistance and answer questions.

St Peters church carpark is located at 24 Main South Road, Upper Riccarton. The sale will be on from 9am – midday.

Annual Labour Weekend plant sale

Two keen planters started a parish plant sale over 10 years ago. From small beginnings, it has now become a Labour Weekend tradition, and this years Annual Labour Weekend plant sale will be at a bigger venue for the multitude of plants!

There are fruit and vegetable plants including tomatoes and long sweet red peppers, herbs, natives, flowers, grasses, succulents, bedding plants, house plants and more. The sale will be on at St Teresa’s Hall at 8 Putiti Street Riccarton, from 9.30am – 12.30pm Saturday.

Orton Bradley Park spring fair

Orton Bradley Park is hosting a spring fair this Sunday, with food, coffee, wine, stalls, plants, rhododendron walks, bouncy castles and more. The park is looking its best with the rhododendrons in full flower, so shop for Christmas gifts, picnic by the river, and explore the walking and biking tracks.

There will be music throughout the day, vintage machinery demonstrations and the opportunity to explore the Heritage Centre and Museum. Entry is free for children and $10 for adults. The fair will be on from 10am – 4pm.

Observatory Tower and Exhibition Tour

Take a guided tour of the Observatory Tower at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre and hear stories of how it was used from 1896 to today. View the brand new exhibition on the first-floor, Te Waiatatanga Mai o te Atua The Song of the Gods, climb the 75 steep wooden stairs to the top to the Dome Room and see the restored Townsend Teece Telescope.

Thie daytime tour will be available from 11am – 1.30pm Sunday for a $10 fee.

Engineering Heritage Central City Walk

Join Engineering New Zealand for a guided walking tour of engineering heritage in the central city, led by professional engineers. See the engineering that has shaped the city over a two-hour, three-kilometre tour which will include various sites of engineering interest.

Guides will present some history of the sites and buildings and highlight significant engineering involved in their original construction and post-earthquake restoration. The free tour is an extension of the self-guided app Tour Engineering New Zealand, and will begin at 10am Monday at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.