What's on this weekend?

Find all the free and low cost, family-friendly, events on this weekend in Christchurch.

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū fun for all!

There’s no shortage of free, family-friendly fun this weekend and throughout the school holidays at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Tamariki Activities, running until 19 April, invites children to explore the themes of Made in the Pacific: A Collection of Tāoga. Tamariki can get creative designing and colouring their own tivaevae patterns, before carrying the experience beyond the gallery by completing the Gallery pages in the shared April Activity Booklet.

A holiday favourite, Imagination Playground is also back in the gallery foyer daily from 10am–5pm. Using giant blue foam blocks, children can collaborate with friends and whānau to build bold, weird and wonderful sculptures and imaginative spaces.

Enjoy Top Art (until 15 April) in the Education Centre, where outstanding NCEA Level 3 visual arts portfolios from 2025 showcase the creativity and talent of rangatahi from across Aotearoa. Free entry.

School Holiday Fun: Easter iSpy

Who's hiding in Mrs Bumbleberry's Lolly Shop? Hop in and find the hidden Easter items for your chance to win a chocolate bunny.

Rural Section 197 - Boundary Walk

Take a 2km walk back through time following the old boundary of Rural Section 197 and try to picture how it once appeared. With a walk time of about 30–40 mins, this walk is suitable for wheelchairs, although a short stretch of the footpath at the east end of Medway Street is a bit uneven.

Avebury House is a grand Victorian residence in east Christchurch, now a community centre and venue-for-hire. The house was built in the 1880s on a portion of Rural Section 197, a 50-acre block on the north bank of the Avon River. This free self-guided walk can be done any time during the festival. Simply collect a map from Avebury House, pop into the office (upstairs) any weekday morning, 9am to 1pm, until April 17. Free entry. Avebury House, 9 Evelyn Couzins Avenue.

Christchurch Marathon

Known for its flat, fast, and scenic central course. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering, it’s the city’s most electric day of the year.

Inspired by the spirit of the 1974 Commonwealth Games, this iconic event captures the best of Christchurch’s vibrant community, stunning landmarks, and energetic atmosphere.