Woolston turned on the energy on Saturday 8 November as the community gathered for the Woolston Gala 2025, delivered in partnership with Christchurch City Council, Neighbourhood Support Christchurch, Youth Town and the Woolston Development Project.

Clear skies set the scene early as stallholders arrived to set up. A brief hiccup with water pressure was swiftly sorted when the Woolston Fire Brigade rolled in to top up the paddling pool, much to the delight of children watching the fire truck at work.

The gala officially opened at midday, led by MC Dan Heaphy. Students from Te Waka Unua School launched the day’s programme with a formal welcome that included waiata and a haka.

Crowds moved steadily through the park, taking in a wide range of activities. Facepainting kept younger visitors busy, and inflatable obstacle courses drew long queues. Food trucks saw strong demand in the heat, with real-fruit ice creams becoming one of the day’s big sellers. The Gurudwara Singh community offered free chickpea curry, while local students showcased their musical talents on stage.

Around the edges of the park, archery tag and futsal drew enthusiastic groups of older children and teens. Adventure Specialties Trust also attracted attention with its slackline and human-powered Kiwi Flyer swing.

Market stalls gave locals the chance to browse goods from small businesses, while nearby community groups including City to Sumner Community Watch and Neighbourhood Support shared information and advice.

Later in the afternoon, the Seymour Stocks Duo took the stage with a lively set of original music, before the event wrapped up with a performance from the Woolston Brass Band.