Looking for things to do this weekend? Here's your low-cost guide to the winter weekend in Christchurch.

Family History Expo

Christchurch City Libraries is hosting a weekend celebrating family history. Come along to the Family History Expo at Tūranga from 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday and find out more about DNA, how to trace your Scottish and Irish ancestors, learn about your Whakapapa Ngāi Tahu, the challenge of AI in family history and more.

Library staff will also be available during the weekend on Level 2 Tuakiri | Identity floor, to help you with your family history questions.

Polar Plunge

Head to the New Brighton Pier on Saturday morning to be brave and take the Polar Plunge to support the work of Special Olympics New Zealand. Your help empowers athletes with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, giving them a chance to pay, shine and thrive – on and off the field.

Register as an individual or a team for $25 per person. Meet at the beach in front of the New Brighton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club rooms by 8am for the plunge at 9am, and join the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, Police and other emergency services who will be taking the plunge.

Winter Warmer Book Group

Do you love reading? Come along to Papanui Library for the Sunday Winter Book Group and share with others, the titles you have read and enjoyed.

This session will be on from 11am – 12pm Sunday.

Monthly Fungi Whānau at Fungi Farm

Join us as we delve into a different fungi topic with engaging workshops and hands-on activities at the Monthly Fungi Whānau at Fungi Farm. This month, join Hayley and Inga for an incredible experience where you’ll learn about inoculating fungi, preparing soil for the best fungi growth, experiments with coffee grinds, books and cardboard, observing and learning about mushrooms that eat dead wood, and more fungi-themed activities.

Bring your curiosity and enthusiasm to the Fungi Farm at 251 River Road from 10.30am – 12.30pm Sunday.

Roll Call - A Survey of Ōtautahi Urban Art and Artists

The Roll Call - A Survey of Ōtautahi Urban Art and Artists exhibition is opening this weekend at The Welder, and will shine a light on more than 60 urban creatives, from established to emerging artists. It features work by graffiti and mural artists, street artists and photographers, tattooists and fine art practitioners.

Some of the names likely to be familiar from their art across the city and bodies of work featured in shows include Dcypher, Jacobyikes, Jessie Rawcliffe and Kophie aka Meep. The exhibition is on at The Welder Events Space, 22 Welles Street from 1-9 August. Entry is free.