Asian Arts Festival

A vibrant celebration of Asian arts and cultures, showcasing music, theatre, dance, stand-up comedy, workshops, food, an art market, cultural performances, and more.

The 2026 Extraordinary Asian Arts Festival will return to The Arts Centre with renewed brilliance. Centred on the core theme, Extraordinary, Between You and Me, the festival invites contemporary voices from across Asia to share their cultural experiences and personal reflections as Asians in the modern world.

This year’s festival will bring together artists from countries and regions such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, and Bangladesh. Through a diverse array of artistic expressions – including painting, photography, music, dance, theatre, installation, and video art – the festival will highlight the richness of Asian cultural narratives and contemporary perspectives. It will place a strong emphasis on individual voices, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and pressing social issues. Audiences will witness not merely cultural showcases, but bold and liberated expressions – stories of growth, identity, and reimagined notions of home.

Here, extraordinary is no longer a label – it is a deeply felt presence. The festival will also continue to foster public engagement through community collaborations, workshops, and youth-led creative initiatives, encouraging more young Asian voices to step into the spotlight and make art a language of expression and connection with the world.

PROGRAMME 2026

Moon House

11.00am | North Quad 

Moon House, a new-wave Christchurch band debuting at the Asian Arts Festival, will be performing a spectacular collection of Japanese City Pop, Acid Jazz, Robot Music, and Rock Music for your delightful enjoyment.

Bangla Dance Group

11.50am | North Quad 

Bangla Dance Group is a non-profit ethnic dance group which promotes Bengali music and culture through their dance performances for the Christchurch community.

The word ‘Bangla’ is the endonym for the Bengali language, the official language of Bangladesh and the official state language of West Bengal, Tripura and Barak Valley in the state of Assam. Bengali is the seventh most widely spoken language in the world. Through Bangla Dance Group, the members, originally from Bangladesh and India, are celebrating their heritage culture and language.

Dr Nanako Jazz Trio

12.00pm | North Quad 

The trio features current members of All Girl Big Band: Nanako Sato (Piano/Voice), Lana Law (Sax), and Emma Scurr (Bass). Lana, co-founder and music director of NZ’s first all-female big band, All Girl Big Band, and former music director of Garden City Big Band, plays lead alto saxophone in both bands. Since 2021, Lana has also been the music director of the Christchurch Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO). Emma met Lana through CYJO and is currently in her second year of the Ara Music Degree course. Dr Nanako (PhD) is a jazz musician, composer, and arranger who performs in various capacities and enjoys making music with Lana and Emma in All Girl Big Band. Their goal is to entertain and share the joy of jazz with the community.

Voices Co. Academy

12.30pm | North Quad 

Recognised as New Zealand’s leader in pop a cappella singing, Voices Co. Academy has earned a reputation for creating some of the country’s most exciting contemporary vocal performances. This award-winning specialist academy combines world-class training with a unique, meticulously developed curriculum that elevates singers across every facet of performance; from tuning and blend, to style, sound, and stagecraft.

Voices Co. offer a full range of classes, workshops, private lessons and ensembles, ranging from Open classes through to award-winning vocal bands. Their unique combination of creativity and passion, as well as expert tuition, has gained international recognition, with alumni moving on to work internationally in the arts and beyond.

Pretty When It Burns

1.00pm | North Quad 

Pretty When It Burns is a four-piece experimental alternative rock band that blends heavy riffs, atmospheric textures, and emotionally driven songwriting. Inspired by artists such as Deftones, Linkin Park, and Evanescence, the band creates a dynamic sound that balances cinematic melodies with powerful instrumentation. Their music explores themes of identity, conflict, and society, while their energetic live performances and commitment to authentic expression are establishing them as an exciting emerging act in New Zealand's alternative rock scene.

Bollywood Dance by RDDC

1.30pm | North Quad 

Bollywood Dance by RDDC blends vibrant energy with modern and traditional dance styles. Their performances are colourful, expressive, and full of joy. Suitable for all ages, RDDC’s Bollywood dance brings communities together in a lively, inclusive experience.

The Takumi Japanese Drumming Group

1.40pm | North Quad 

The Takumi Japanese Drumming Group was formed over 15 years ago by a small group of Japanese individuals. Over the years, the club has performed at various events in the Canterbury region. The members thoroughly enjoy sharing their culture through the heart-pounding sounds of the Japanese drums.

Cornermental Asian Pop/Rock Band

2.00pm | North Quad 

Cornermental is an Asian pop/rock band. The band was formed in 2019, with singers, Eric, Nodoka, Honza and Aaron, lead guitarist Glen, guitarists Honza and Jimcy, drummer Nelson, and bassist Sam. They have since become regular fixtures at Christchurch night markets, bars, and events.

Kirakira Dance K-Pop Performance

2.30pm | North Quad 

A dance crew based in Christchurch specialising in K-Pop and J-Pop. They began at the University of Canterbury and have since become an independent dance crew. The crew have won multiple K-Pop competitions and perform at various events within Christchurch every year. All members have dance training backgrounds in hip hop, jazz, ballet and more.

Afghan Folk Music

2.40pm | North Quad 

Experience authentic Afghan folk music performed by Navid Masher (harmonium, vocals), Aryan Kausari (zerbaghali, tabla), and Liam Oliver (rubab). Formed in collaboration with Simurgh Music, this trio brings the timeless musical traditions of Afghanistan to Ōtautahi through lively and engaging performances.

Sichuan Opera

3.00pm | North Quad 

Face-changing is one of the most mesmerising and visually stunning performance styles from the southwestern China. Watch as this year’s performer, Fan Yuhang from the Confucius Institute at University of Canterbury, shifts and changes masks in the blink of an eye.

Ivory King

3.10pm | North Quad 

Kyle Hsieh (Drums), Jimmy Gully (Guitar), and Lachlan McIlroy (Bass) developed their high-energy indie rock sound through years of jamming together from high school to present day, inspired by the likes of Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Brendan Caulfield, Primus and Radiohead. This year saw the arrival of a fresh vocalist and songwriter Breanna Rickman.

Cover Me in Sunshine

3.45pm | North Quad 

Ella is an eight-year-old who enjoys singing and playing the guitar. She loves sharing music with others and is excited to perform “Cover Me in Sunshine,” a joyful song about hope, happiness, and appreciating life’s simple moments. She hopes her performance brings a smile to everyone in the audience.

Bloom Learning Studio

3.48pm | North Quad 

When will the moon be full? A simple question that carries the tenderest yearnings in the world. The children and teachers from Bloom Learning will gracefully present this classic piece through pure sign language and melodious singing. They will express their concerns and blessings for their loved ones far away, allowing love to transcend distance, flow through their fingertips, and resonate in everyone's hearts.

Olivia Dance & Drama Studio

3.50pm | North Quad 

Sun and Moon Grottoes is a Dunhuang-inspired Chinese classical dance that showcases the beauty of the ancient Mogao Caves. Through graceful movements, it celebrates the harmony of the sun and moon and the rich cultural heritage of the Silk Road.

Blossoms of Crimson Grace is inspired by Tang poetry; this classical solo dance uses the peony as a metaphor for youthful grace. Through elegant spins and flowing red robes, the dancer visualises a flower’s blooming process, embodying the soft, vibrant charm of traditional oriental beauty.

Simurgh Music School

3.55pm | North Quad 

Founded in 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand, Simurgh is a community of musicians sharing their passion for traditional instruments of Persia and the surrounding regions of the Middle East. This performance will feature a Persian percussion group of daf and tonbak drums led by instructor Esmail Fathi, as well as some Persian stringed instruments such as santur, tar, and setar.

Sound of Korea by Ek Cho (Eun kyeol Cho)

4.10pm | North Quad 

Eun kyeol Cho is a Gayageum performer and educator dedicated to connecting traditional and contemporary Korean music. She received her bachelor and master’s degrees in Korean Traditional Music from Seoul National University and has taught at Jeonbuk National University and the National High School of Traditional Arts. Eun kyeol has appeared at numerous national and international music festivals, cultural events, and concert series, lecture concerts, and educational programmes. Her artistic practice is driven by a commitment to bringing the Gayageum to new audiences, reimagining traditional Korean music through cross-cultural dialogue, creative collaboration, and innovative performance.

The UC Gamelan Ensemble

4.25pm | North Quad 

Based out of the University of Canterbury School of Music, this ensemble plays a traditional form of Indonesian music known as gamelan, which is a widespread tradition across Indonesia with many different regional varieties. This type of gamelan is called Gong Kebyar and comes from Bali. It is known for using complex interlocking rhythmic patterns on various metallophones, gongs and drums of different sizes to create a fast, dynamic, and exciting performance.

Ritmo Pilipino

4.40pm | North Quad 

Ritmo Pilipino is a non-profit organisation consisting of multi-talented individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich tapestry of Filipino heritage through the art of dance. The group's name means ‘Filipinas expressing strong rhythmic steps through dancing’. They aim to be torchbearers of Filipino cultural pride through the captivating language of dance that reflect the Philippines' history, folklore, and multicultural influences. By infusing these time-honoured dances with modern interpretations, they seek to bridge the gap between generations, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for their cultural roots. 

Fantasy Forest

4.50pm | Great Hall

Tickets available soon.

Fantasy Forest is back with a new collection of music! Come along to the Great Hall to listen to baroque, classical, and romantic pieces; assorted contemporary solos and jazz; as well as original compositions played by up-and-coming composers and their friends.