Festivals, holidays and anniversaries
Commemorations and celebrations in Christchurch.
Find out more about special days of the year, month by month.
January
January events
Lunar New Year 2025 - Year of the Snake
Celebrate Lunar New Year! Events at libraries take place from 1 to 15 February 2025.
New Year
The tradition of celebrating the New Year as a new beginning goes back to the earliest societies. For many of us, 1 January is New Year.
Sparks!
The Sparks concert features classical music, popular tunes and stunning fireworks.
February
Events in February
Kite Day
Kite Day at New Brighton beach is on 10 February 2024. This page lists kite events, and kite resources at your library.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi
An agreement made between Māori and the British Crown in 1840, it is New Zealand’s founding document. Read our backgrounder to the Treaty.
Valentine’s Day
Find out more about Valentine’s Day and find love in our collection - romantic stories, poetry, movies - and non-fiction books about love.
March
Events in March
Children's Day
Children’s Day is the first Sunday in March. It is a special day to spend time as a family.
Neurodiversity
Find resources and information on ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and more.
Events in March
St Patrick's Day - 17 March
Links and resources about the patron saint of Ireland and Irish culture.
Seaweek
Seaweek is New Zealand’s annual national week about the sea and is on 1 - 9 March. We'll have themed storytimes fun for kids!
International Women's Day 8 March
This global day connects women around the world and aims to inspire them to achieve their full potential.
Events in March
Race Relations Day
Race Relations Day is on 21 March each year. We recommend books and resources with a focus on uniting against racism and hate.
Margaret Mahy
Find out more about Margaret Mahy, Children’s Librarian at Christchurch City Libraries & one of the world’s most famous children’s authors.
April
Events in April
International Children's Book Day
2 April is International Children's Book Day. Celebrate at your library, or at home - everywhere!
Easter
Check our Easter hours. Explore information about the origins, traditions and dates of Easter, events, activities and library resources.
Anzac Day and Gallipoli
Learn more about the origins of Anzac Day and find library resources about the Anzacs and Gallipoli.
Armageddon Expo: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April at Te Pae
Comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, manga, stars, cosplay... the library has plenty of resources for Armageddon attendees and fans of all kinds.
May
May
NZ Music Month Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa
May is NZ Music Month Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa. Find out about music events at libraries, and explore our music resources.
New Zealand Sign Language
Find out more about New Zealand sign language and browse NZSL resources. NZ Sign Language Week is from 5 to 11 May 2025.
Open Christchurch 2025: Friday 2 to Sunday 4 May
Building lovers and architecture fans! Open Christchurch is back in May.
May
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week
Ḁlalum 'ḁus 'e gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm te'is. Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuma Language Week is on from Sunday 11 to Saturday 17 May 2025.
Youth Week - 19 to 25 May 2025
Stickers, temporary tattoos, clothes swap, crochet and more! Find out what's happening for Youth Week from 19 to 25 May.
June
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week
Tālofa lava. Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week is on from Sunday 1 to Saturday 7 June 2025.
June
Matariki: Māori New Year
Join us in June for exciting free Matariki and Puaka activities and events for you and your whānau to enjoy.
Matariki for Tamariki
Find out all about the traditions of Matariki, as well as fun crafts and activities for kids.
King's Birthday holiday
Tūranga is open 10am to 5pm, all other libraries are closed on Monday 2 June 2025 for King's Birthday. Learn more about King Charles III.
July
Events in August
KidsFest - 28 June to 13 July 2025
KidsFest is full of winter holiday fun for kids. Have a look at what's happening in libraries. Tickets are on sale NOW!
Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week
Kam na bane ni mauri. Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week is on from Sunday 6 to Saturday 12 July 2025.
August
Cook Islands Māori Language Week
Kia orana! 'Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Māori Language week is on from Sunday 3 to Saturday 9 August 2025.
WORD Christchurch Festival 2024
Revisit WORD Christchurch 2024 - read our event reports, and find works by WORD writers in our collection.
September
Events in September
Tonga Language Week
Mālō e lelei. Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week is on from Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 August 2025.
Literacy
Find literacy resources in the library collection, and adult literacy providers in Christchurch.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 14 -21 o Hepetema 2025
Explore resources and events to help you strengthen your reo during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week, 14 to 21 September 2025.
Events in September
Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga
The Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga is on Monday 2 September to Sunday 8 September 2024. Find resources and learning events.
New Zealand Chinese Language Week: 22 to 28 September 2024
Nĭ hăo! New Zealand Chinese Language Week 2024 is on from 22 September to 28 September. Find out what's on.
Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week
Talofa koutou. Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week is on from Sunday 28 September to Saturday 4 October 2025.
October
Christchurch Heritage Festival: 12 to 28 October 2024
Explore the interesting and fun local history events, exhibitions, and activities on at the Christchurch Heritage Festival.
Events in October
International Day of Older Persons
Celebrated every year on 1 October. Find resources, events and information for older people.
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week
Ni sa bula kece sara. Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week is on from Sunday 5 to Saturday 11 October 2025.
Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week
Fakaalofa lahi atu! Faahi tapu he vagahau - Niue Language Week is on from Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 October 2024.
More celebrations in November
Labour Day
The history behind the New Zealand Labour Day holiday. Our libraries are all closed on Monday 28 October 2024.
Halloween
Halloween is on 31 October every year. Find books and other resources to help make your Halloween extra spooky!
November
Events in November
Dia de Muertos / Day of the Dead
Día de Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico on 2 November (All Souls' Day).
Guy Fawkes - 5 November
Find out about Guy Fawkes, The Gunpowder Plot and fireworks safety.
Parihaka
There was a peaceful resistance to a militia invasion of Taranaki settlement Parihaka 5 November 1881. Discover the Christchurch connection.
New Zealand Cup and Show Week
Find out more about the history of Cup and Show week.
December
Events in December
Christmas
Links and information about the Christmas holidays - events, food, crafts, music, reading and more!
Christmas for kids
Background information about Christmas, great Christmas reads, craft, and fun for kids.
Library Events Calendar
Find out what's on at your local library - storytimes, book clubs, after school activities and more!