School Holiday Fun (23 Sep - 8 Oct)

Heaps of creative fun for pre-schoolers right through to teens: instrument making, fudge decorating, circus arts, ceramics, painting, felt making, dancing, crafting, singing, weaving, or African drumming.

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Te Whare Tapere, Māori Arts Space Opening

A gathering and celebration of Māori Arts in Ōtautahi, centered around Ahi Kōmau; the everlasting fire.

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Sculpture Festival 2023 (14 - 29 Oct)

Our annual Sculpture Festival features 300+ works by some of the country’s best artists, on show and on sale.

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Rising Stars 2023

Rising Stars is a new lunchtime concert series that focuses on encouraging, nurturing and providing a performance platform for emerging young musicians.

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Great Hall Lunchtime Concert Series 2023

Your annual line-up of renowned local, national and international musicians playing a curated selection of lunchtime concerts in the picturesque Great Hall.

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Explore more

Make the most of your visit to The Arts Centre by enjoying one on of our arts, culture, shopping and food-filled visitor itineraries.

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Welcome to The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora.

Dating back to 1877, The Arts Centre has a rich history and an exciting future.


Located in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch, The Arts Centre is an Aotearoa New Zealand landmark – home to galleries, museums, cinemas, boutique retailers, artisan eateries and bars, engaging events, stunning venues and much more.

Sculpture Festival 2023

14 – 29 October 2023 Great Hall

Sculptural pieces by some of the country’s best artists in ceramics, jewellery, sculpture, glass and multimedia, on show and on sale.

Free


Christchurch Heritage Festival 2023 at The Arts Centre

Friday 6 October - Monday 23 October (Labour Day) 2023 Arts Centre wide

Join us in exploring the heritage of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre over the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2023.


Ahi Kōmau; the Everlasting Fire

8 September- 1 October 2023 Common Room

Ahi Kōmau; the everlasting fire. A huika of Toi Māori for the opening of Te Whare Tapere at Te Matatiki Toi Ora the Arts Centre.

Free


Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups

Sunday 15 October, 12 November & 10 December 2023 Engineering

The cosiest nights of the year. Snuggle up with a hot chocolate as Lizzie Tollemache's smoke and honey voice tells you folktales by candlelight.


A "Walk Back in Time" around Canterbury College

Sat 7 Oct | Thu 12 Oct | Sat 14 Oct | Sun 15 Oct | Tue 17 Oct | Sun 22 Oct | Mon 23 Oct Clock Tower

Join in an informative and fact-filled guided walking tour around The Arts Centre site, where your knowledgeable WALK Christchurch tour guide will thrill you with stories from the past.


Great Hall Lunchtime Concert Series 2023

Specific Mondays Great Hall

Your annual line-up of renowned local, national, and international musicians playing a curated selection of lunchtime concerts in the picturesque Great Hall.


The Silversmiths' Guild Annual Jewellery Exhibition & Sale

Tuesday 31 October - Sunday 12 November 2023 First floor, Boys’ High

The Silversmiths' Guild of Canterbury Inc was formed in 1982 by a group of enthusiasts with a common interest in working with precious and semi-precious metals.

Free


Creative activities with The White Room Creative Space

Fri 6 Oct | Sat 7 Oct | Mon 16 Oct | Tue 17 Oct | Fri 20 Oct School of Art

A range of FREE hands-on creative activities for all ages, including frottage (rubbing interesting textures), life drawing and using the unique perspex "drawing window" to create a cool artwork.

Free


Practical Heritage panel discussion

16 October 2023 Cloisters Studio

Join a panel of experts in heritage restoration for a discussion on how The Arts Centre has been seismically strengthened and adapted during its restoration.

Free


New Zealand-made homewares and gifts.

Frances Nation is a store specialising in Aotearoa New Zealand-made homewares and gifts of quality craftsmanship, authenticity and longevity.

Frances Nation Home

Ground floor, Boys’ High,

Worcester Boulevard

Open 7 days, 10:00AM - 5:00PM