KidsFest 2026
Preview Available Now!
KidsFest is back from Saturday 4 July to Tuesday 19 July 2026 to entertain and educate our tamariki. With hundreds of events on offer, don't miss it.
- View all the KidsFest events at libraries
- Browse the KidsFest website for events
- Like KidsFest on Facebook.
KidsFest events by library
Booked events
Tickets go live Tuesday 09 June, 9am
Kidsfest events that require bookings
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years - (su)
Jul 9th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years - (tū), part of a series
Jul 7th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
Ready, Set, Read! - 4-6 years - (nb)
Jul 6th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Join a special Storytimes with songs, &activities, building on early literacy skills. Receive your first library bag with handpicked books.
Ready, Set, Read! - 4-6 years - (sh)
Jul 15th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join a special Storytimes with songs, &activities, building on early literacy skills. Receive your first library bag with handpicked books.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years - (su)
Jul 9th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years - (tū), part of a series
Jul 7th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
Ready, Set, Read! - 4-6 years - (nb)
Jul 6th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Join a special Storytimes with songs, &activities, building on early literacy skills. Receive your first library bag with handpicked books.
Ready, Set, Read! - 4-6 years - (sh)
Jul 15th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join a special Storytimes with songs, &activities, building on early literacy skills. Receive your first library bag with handpicked books.
Drop-in events
Kidsfest events that are drop-in
Movie and Popcorn
Jul 15th | 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Join us for and afternoon movie and popcorn. bring your favourite blankie.
Movie and Popcorn
Jul 15th | 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Join us for and afternoon movie and popcorn. bring your favourite blankie.
Join us for school holiday fun and learning
Come to the library in the school holidays for bookable programmes and free drop-in activities.
More school holiday info
- Browse the KidsFest website for all events and activities.
- Discover library school holiday programmes and activities.
- Find more ideas for holiday events and activities.
All about KidsFest
KidsFest is New Zealand’s biggest annual children’s festival. It is aimed at kids up to the age of 12. Christchurch City Libraries supports KidsFest by hosting a range of events for kids — from special storytimes sessions to writers’ workshops and treasure hunts — at our libraries and learning centres.
KidsFest took place for the first time in 1992, beginning as an idea from the then Mayor, Vicki Buck.