Diwali, Duck Race, Wicker and Take Charge Expo
Your Christchurch week, 29 Oct to 4 Nov
This weekend
Six picks for Saturday and Sunday
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Selwyn Diwali 2026
Selwyn Diwali Festival celebrates the Festival of Lights with music, performances, food, rides, games, markets and fireworks. Entry is free.
Free -
Maleficent’s Park of Tricks and Treats
Maleficent's Park of Tricks and Treats at Ferrymead Heritage Park offers a Halloween day of fun for the whole family, with no trick-or-treating on strangers' doors.
$1 -
Take Charge Expo - Electric Vehicle Display
The Take Charge Expo at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre showcases the latest battery electric vehicle technology.
Free -
2026 Great Canterbury Duck Race
The Great Canterbury Duck Race returns for its ninth year with two races from the Bridge of Remembrance, plus a barbecue and children's activities.
Free -
BIFF 2026 - Wicker
BIFF 2026 presents Wicker, an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival.
From $19 -
CSO Lamb & Hayward Masterworks: Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius
CSO Lamb & Hayward Masterworks features Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius with orchestra, soloists and chorus.
From $35
More events this week
Day by day
Thursday, 29 October 2026
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Christchurch
City Halls & Old Fruitmarket. A music concert by an orchestra.
Friday, 30 October 2026
City Night Market Grand Opening
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 5pm to 9.30pm. The City Night Market has its Grand Opening at The Arts Centre, offering 100 free cups of bubble tea to the first visitors. Free. Runs regularly; check the event page for other dates.
Express Transylvania Dance Party
Engineers Bar, from 8pm. The Transylvania Express Dance Party is a Halloween Special with dark beats, 2000s nostalgia and European flair. $1.
Saturday, 31 October 2026
New Brighton Community Gardens. New Brighton Community Gardens Open Day features seedlings, live music, food, homemade goodies and children's activities. Free.
Avebury Park, 10.30am to 12pm. Biketober's Cargo Bike Picnic celebrates cargo bikes and is a chance to meet others who travel by bike. Free.
Trick or Treat at Riverside Market
Riverside Market Christchurch, 10am to 1pm. Riverside Market is hosting a Trick or Treat event. $5.
Preloved Clothing Markets - October Pop-up
Bush Inn Centre, 10am to 2pm. Preloved Clothing Markets pop-up at Bush Inn Centre with 26 stallholders selling curated preloved clothing, shoes and accessories. Free.
Reformed Church of Christchurch, 4.30pm to 7.30pm. The Reformed Church of Christchurch hosts a free Light Party with bouncy castles, a sausage sizzle, face painting and lollies. Free.
Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral, from 4pm. Lights and Lollies at Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral is a family fun event with games, food and free hot chocolates. Free.
Sunday, 1 November 2026
Tūranga TSB Space, 1pm to 2pm. Tūranga celebrates Día de Muertos with traditional Mexican folkloric dance and live Mexican music. Free. Ages 0 to 2; Ages 5 to 12; Ages 18 to 24; Ages 2 to 5; Ages 12 to 18; Ages 18+; Ages 60+.
Linwood Waterway, 1pm to 4pm. The Backyard Play Reserve in Linwood Waterway holds an Open Day with a free community event and sausage sizzle. Free.
Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Lumiere Cinemas, 3.30pm to 5pm. BIFF 2026 screens Derek vs Derek, a funny and heartwarming documentary. From $19.
On now
Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson
The Great Hall. Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson is a live music concert. On until Friday 27 November.
Dad joke of the week
Why did the book join the gym?
To get some more spine.
Council and roadworks
Detour for Mairehau Rd road works. Detour for Mairehau Rd road works. Until further notice. Routes 7, 135, 66, 79. From Tuesday 9th June there will be road works on Mairehau Rd that will require the Route 7 service to detour from its usual route until further notice.
Detour for Harrow St road works. Detour for Harrow St road works. Until further notice. Route 80. From Wednesday 29th July there will be road works on Harrow St that will require the Route 80 service to detour from its usual route until further notice.
Major detour for Wairakei Rd road works, Stage One. Major detour for Wairakei Rd road works, Stage One. Until further notice. Route 8. From Monday 24th August there will be road works on Wairakei Rd that will require the Route 8 service to detour from its usual route until further notice.
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