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Your guide to the weekend in Ōtautahi Christchurch

18 July 2025

Enjoy a mid-winter weekend in Christchurch with this free or low-cost guide to what's happening around town.

Housing Cooperative Tour

Take a group tour of a Housing Cooperative that has been purpose designed to provide a sense of community.

The Peterborough Housing Cooperative is 14 units clustered around a common courtyard including a common house. It showcases an alternative to the landlord-tenant relationship and how to design housing for people.

The tour takes place on Saturday morning between 11am-11.50am and is free but registration is required.


Book Launch

Riccarton High School and Christchurch City Libraries are hosting a book launch for Elissa Brent Weissman's latest novel, So Over Sharing at Upper Riccarton Library, 2-3pm Saturday.

The American children’s author moved to Christchurch in 2019 and has published many previous books for 8 to 12-year-olds. Her new book is about two girls who find their private struggles against their influencer mothers going very public.

This is a free event but registration is required and can be made online here.

Gatherings Winter Market

Tucked inside the welcoming walls of Gatherings Restaurant and spilling into the alleyway behind, the Gatherings Winter Market brings together a group of local artists and artisans.

Wander through the space with a cup of mulled wine in hand, enjoy some snacks made by chef and owner Alex Davies, and let live music carry you through the afternoon. Braziers will be glowing, and the mood will be easy.

Whether you're looking for a unique gift, a bite to eat, or simply a beautiful place to spend your Sunday, you'll find it here 2pm-5pm at 2 Papanui Road.

Mindfulness Tea Ceremony

Take time out from the weekend’s busyness with a tour of the Buddhist Temple on Riccarton Road, followed by a refreshing tea ceremony.

Through tea and art, the Mindfulness Tea Ceremony invites you to pause, reflect, and find meaning in the moment. Sunday 1.45-3.30pm, free entry.

Halswell Quarry Volunteer Planting Day

Pop along to Halswell Quarry Park to help plant native plants from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, in association with Trees for Canterbury.

Look for directions outside the single-storey stone cottage on the main driveway of Halswell Quarry Park.