Festivals, holidays and anniversaries
Commemorations and celebrations in Christchurch.
Find out more about special days of the year, month by month.
January
January events
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.
Lunar New Year 2022 - Year of the Tiger
Celebrate Lunar New Year!
Kite Day
Kite Day at New Brighton beach is cancelled for 2022. This page lists kite events, and kite resources at your library.
February
Events in February
Waitangi Day in Christchurch & Canterbury - Sat 6 Feb 2021
Join in 2021 Waitangi Day celebrations and events in Ōtautahi.
Valentine’s Day
Find out more about Valentine’s Day and find love in our collection - romantic books, movies and music.
Events in February
YES Power Sparks
Do you love the music played at Sparks? Listen to the music of YES Power Sparks on cd or online.
Monday 22 February 2021 - Earthquake Commemorations
Explore events to commemorate those we lost; and places where the community can come together to reflect and remember.
Culture Galore (Cancelled for 2022)
Culture Galore is an annual event at Ray Blank Park celebrating Christchurch’s diverse ethnic culture in a family atmosphere.
March
Festivals and events in March
Christchurch Pride 2022 - Friday 17 to Saturday 28 June
Library events include Queens telling stories, Pride clothing swap. Rainbow bookclub, and pronoun badge-making.
Canterbury Japan Day
Organised annually by The Japanese Society of Canterbury with the aim of sharing authentic Japanese culture with Cantabrians.
Children's Day
Children’s Day is the first Sunday in March. It is a special day to spend time as a family.
Events in March
International Women's Day 8 March
This global day connects women around the world and aims to inspire them to achieve their full potential.
St Patrick's Day - 17 March
Links and resources about the patron saint of Ireland and Irish culture.
City 2 Surf
Annual running event that has been held since the 1970s, attracting large crowds.
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
Information about the origins, traditions and dates of Easter, as well as 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.
Open Christchurch 2022 - Step inside? Love!
Open Christchurch is back on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May 2022. Tūranga will again be one of the featured buildings.
May
May
NZ Music Month
We highlight local music for New Zealand Music Month. Support Local. Stream Local. Follow Local. Buy Local.
Youth Week - Saturday 7 May to Sunday 15 May 2022
A clothes swap at South, free bookable badge making workshop at Tūranga - find out what's happening for Youth Week.
Big Bargain Book Sale - Friday 24 & Saturday 25 March 2023
Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm
The Big Bargain Book Sale will be held at the Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre.
May
New Zealand Sign Language Week
Find resources and events celebrating New Zealand Sign Language Week. It's on from 9 to 15 May 2022.
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuman Language Week
Ḁlalum 'ḁus 'e gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm te'is. Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuman Language Week is on each year in May.
Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa - Samoa Language Week
Tālofa lava. Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa - Samoa Language Week this year is 29 May to 4 June.
June
June
Matariki: Māori New Year
Stars of the Matariki cluster set on 23 Haratua / May, and rise 21 to 24 Piripi / June. Celebrate Matariki with Christchurch City Libraries.
Matariki for Tamariki
Find out all about the traditions of Māori New Year on our Matariki for Kids page.
Queen's Birthday holiday
Libraries are closed Monday 6 June for the Queen's Birthday holiday, except Tūranga is open 10am-5pm. Learn about Queen Elizabeth II.
July
Events in August
KidsFest
Get your school holidays sorted! KidsFest is full of fun for kids and teens. It runs from 10 to 25 July. Book NOW!
Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week
Kam na bane ni mauri. Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week is on each year in July.
August
Cook Islands Language Week
Kia orana! 'Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Language week is on each year in August.
More August celebrations
Christchurch Family History Expo 2022
In collaboration with Memories In Time, we invite you along to three days of family history fun, Friday 19 to Sunday 21 August at Tūranga.
WORD Christchurch Festival 2022
WORD - Ōtautahi's own literary festival - is on from Wednesday 31 August to Sunday 4 September. Explore featured writers & festival info.
September
Events in September
Tonga Language Week
Mālō e lelei. Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week is on each year in September.
Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga
The Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga is on Monday 6 September to Sunday 132 September 2021. Find resources and learning events.
Literacy
Find literacy resources in the library collection, and adult literacy providers in Christchurch.
Celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Explore resources to help you strengthen your reo during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week.
Events in September
Parenting Week
Parenting Week includes seminars and workshops for parents. It takes place every two years, In 2019 it was from 9 to 19 September.
New Zealand Sign Language Week
Find resources and events celebrating New Zealand Sign Language Week. It's on from 9 to 15 May 2022.
New Zealand Chinese Language Week
Nĭ hăo! New Zealand Chinese Language Week 2022 is on from 25 September to 1 October. 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 25 September to Saturday 1 October.
October
Christchurch Heritage Festival - 7 to 24 October 2022
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 each year in October.
Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week
Fakaalofa lahi atu! Faahi tapu he vagahau - Niue Language Week is on each year in October.
More celebrations in November
Labour Day
The history behind the New Zealand Labour Day holiday. Our libraries are all closed Monday 24 October 2022 except Tūranga (open 10am to 5pm)
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.
Canterbury Anniversary Day Friday 11 November 2022
Explore the history of NZ Cup and Show Week and Canterbury Anniversary Day. All our libraries are closed except Tūranga, open 10am to 5pm.
December
Events in December
Armageddon Expo Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 Dec 2022 at Te Pae
Comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, manga, stars, cosplay ... We can help you get your costume sorted! The library will be there at Te Pae.
Christmas
Links and information about the Christmas holiday - 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!
