Get ready to soak up SummerTimes
Christchurch is warming up and the entertainment on offer will get even hotter when SummerTimes kicks off. Christchurch is the place to be this summer, with hundreds of events on the city will be buzzing!
Plan your summer now with the SummerTimes event guide - there’s something for everyone from family friendly events and live music to sporting challenges and food festivals. We have your summer sorted.
Look out for the printed guide in your letterbox. Copies also available at libraries and service centres.
The SummerTimes festival launch will be held on Friday 7th December on The Terrace from 4.30pm until 7pm with bean bags to relax on while listening to live music by Hawaiian Maiden and Dusty Hustle. There will also be a free sausage sizzle and popsicles.
Christchurch City Council Events Manager Karena Finnie says the SummerTimes line-up caters to a wide range of tastes and interests. “We’ve programmed events that will make the summer even more fun for Christchurch residents so they can make it one to remember.
"We hope everyone will come along and enjoy themselves, because all our Council-produced events are free and they’re family-friendly.”
City Sounds will see talented musicians performing live in the central city most Friday lunchtimes.
Headline act The Jordan Luck Band will say goodbye to 2018 in style on New Year’s Eve, supported by DJs and live bands Deep Water Creek and Dillastrate. The family-friendly part of the New Year’s party starts at 6pm with Mullet Man, fairies and a kids countdown at 8pm.
This year’s SummerTimes also features the return of favourites such as the iconic fireworks and music extravaganza Sparks on Saturday 16th February 2019 in North Hagley Park, with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performing traditional and contemporary classics.
The mellow Deep South Lazy Sundays on the Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens start on Sunday 20th January, with Hans Pucket, Onono and Finn Johannson playing on the launch afternoon. Other Lazy Sundays performances include a Lyttelton Record Company Showcase, Yurt Party, Apex and Lloyd and Dublet.
Deep South Kite Day at New Brighton Beach is on Saturday 26th January 2019, with a winning combination of sun, sea, ice cream and flying kites.