KidsFest 2026
Bookings now live!
KidsFest is back from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 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
Bookable events
Kidsfest events that require bookings
Little Listeners Lounge - 5-12 years SOLD OUT, part of a series
Jul 13th | 10:00am - 10:30am
Come along and find a comfortable spot in the libraries dedicated audiobook lounge, to tune in to a themed listening session.
Mahjong for Teens - 10-18 years SOLD OUT, part of a series
Jul 13th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Beginner‑friendly programme introduces teens to the basics of this classic tile game through guided play and hands‑on learning.
Librarian for a Morning - INT - 10-12 years - SOLD OUT
Jul 14th | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Want to be a librarian for a morning?Love books and reading? Come and see what happens behind the scenes at your local library.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years SOLD OUT
Jul 14th | 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.
Little Listeners Lounge - 5-12 years SOLD OUT, part of a series
Jul 13th | 10:00am - 10:30am
Come along and find a comfortable spot in the libraries dedicated audiobook lounge, to tune in to a themed listening session.
Mahjong for Teens - 10-18 years SOLD OUT, part of a series
Jul 13th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Beginner‑friendly programme introduces teens to the basics of this classic tile game through guided play and hands‑on learning.
Librarian for a Morning - INT - 10-12 years - SOLD OUT
Jul 14th | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Want to be a librarian for a morning?Love books and reading? Come and see what happens behind the scenes at your local library.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years SOLD OUT
Jul 14th | 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.
Drop-in events
Kidsfest events that are drop-in
Did they really do that?Cantabrians' quest for world records, part of a series
Jul 9th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Shark Awareness Day
Jul 13th | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Celebrate Shark Awareness Day! Learn about sharks, play shark related games and making a shark craft.
Movie and Popcorn
Jul 15th | 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Join us for and afternoon movie and popcorn. bring your favourite blankie.
Step into a Book: Green Screen Experience - 5-12 years
Jul 17th | 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Visit our fun green‑screen photo booth and pose with a book you love. We’ll help you appear right inside the pages alongside the characters!
Did they really do that?Cantabrians' quest for world records, part of a series
Jul 9th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Shark Awareness Day
Jul 13th | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Celebrate Shark Awareness Day! Learn about sharks, play shark related games and making a shark craft.
Movie and Popcorn
Jul 15th | 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Join us for and afternoon movie and popcorn. bring your favourite blankie.
Step into a Book: Green Screen Experience - 5-12 years
Jul 17th | 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Visit our fun green‑screen photo booth and pose with a book you love. We’ll help you appear right inside the pages alongside the characters!
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.