Get ready for a weekend of arts, creativity and history. Here's your low-cost guide to the weekend in and around Christchurch.

The Dutch Funeral

For a short time only see one of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s most cherished paintings, Petrus van der Velden’s The Dutch Funeral - Burial in the Winter on the Island of Marken. The painting will be on display at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū from 11 - 16 October.

This treasured work has had its ornate frame regilded. Made in the nineteenth century and nearly three-metres long, the frame is once again resplendent in gold leaf. See more about the restoration here: https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/students-win-opportunity-to-gild-iconic-painting-frame. Made possible through the fundraising efforts of the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Foundation.

Heritage Festival

Discover and explore the heritage of our communities at the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2025.

On Saturday, explore the Endless Fascination exhibition at Stoddart Cottage, tour Risingholme Homestead, tour the Mountfort Tower at the Christchurch Club, learn about Lyttelton’s archaeological heritage at Lyttelton Library, visit Pavitt Cottage, take a tour of the heritage building Red House Blue Door or Riccarton House, and more!

On Sunday, join in at the Heritage Fun Zone and tour the Observatory Tower at The Arts Centre, explore Kinsey’s Den at Ferrymead Heritage Park, learn about the history of Wigram at the Air Force Museum, experience model yacht sailing at Christchurch Model Yacht Club, craft Gothic Revival-themed coasters at Matatiki Hornby Centre, and more!

View the full Heritage Festival programme on our website.

Explorers' Day | Ice and Sky

Discover the wonders of Antarctica and aerospace with hands-on activities at the Explorers' Day at the Air Force Museum. Step inside immersive domes, polar tents and VR headsets, hear from real life explorers throughout the day, take part in penguin quizzes, explore local space memorabilia, discover artefacts from New Zealand, and take part in colouring stations and competitions.

Come along from 10am – 3pm Saturday.

Bookshop Day at Scorpio Books

Come along to the Bookshop Day at Scorpio Books this Saturday. There will be spot prizes, giveaways, special appearances by local authors, blind dates with books, literature-themed dress-ups and the chance to win Scorpio’s Big Bookstack.

Another way to get a chance to raid the spot prize stash: dress up! Come to the store on Bookshop Day in a literature-themed costume, say hi to staff at the main counter, and you too can receive a special spot prize (while stocks last). Bookshop Day will be on from 10am – 5pm.

Public Backstage Tours | The Court Theatre

Step behind the curtain and discover how the magic is made at the Court Theatre on Saturday. From the first sketch to the final spotlight, everything that appears on stage is carefully designed and lovingly crafted to transport audiences into entirely new worlds.

Now back in the heart of Christchurch, the Court Theatre creates everything on-site, from the construction of grand sets in our workshops to the design and fabrication of the costumes you’ve seen in productions like Strictly Ballroom and Something Rotten!. A Friend of The Court Theatre will host your tour, sharing stories of past productions and giving you a real taste of what goes on behind the scenes. More info on our website