Christchurch Heritage Festival 2025 at The Arts Centre
Saturday 11 October - Monday 27 October (Labour Day) 2025
Venue: Arts Centre wide
Join us in exploring the heritage of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre over the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2025.
The theme this year is Building Place - Evolving Communities. The place we live in continues to change, and through sharing our stories, we better understand our environment, the landscape, the people and the place. He tātai muka, he tātai tangata – weave together the strands, weave together the people.
Festival events
Observatory Tower and Exhibition Tours
Sunday 12, 19 and 26 October 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics
Join a guided tour of the Observatory Tower and hear the stories of how it was used from 1896 to today Find out more
Big Bands Play at The Arts Centre
Sunday 26 October North Quad
The All Girl Big Band and Sideline Swing will take you right back to the Christchurch Commonwealth Games era as they play music hits from the 70s. Find out more
The History and Restoration of the 1864 Townsend Teece Telescope
16 October 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics
Associate Professor Karen Pollard from the University of Canterbury will give a fascinating illustrated talk on the amazing history and restoration of the 1864 Townsend Teece Telescope. Find out more
***SORRY CANCELLED*** Artist's Floor Talk
CANCELLED Friday 17 October Observatory, Biology and Physics
Join one of the creators in a floor talk about the monumental artworks and immersive, sensory experience that tells the Ngāi Tahu creation story in this new exhibition. Find out more
Te Matatiki Toi Ora: The Spring of Living Art
Thursday 23 October Great Hall
Join The Arts Centre and Heritage New Zealand for an evening celebrating 50 years of creativity at The Arts Centre. Find out more
Heritage Fun Zone
Sunday 12 and 19 October South Quad
Join in some outdoor heritage games and activities from the 1800s at The Arts Centre. Find out more
Muriwai
Sunday 12 October, 2025 Cloisters Studio
Long-time collaborators Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) and Bob Bickerton join forces as Muriwai, a duo and musical concept six years in the making. Find out more
Other Events You Might Like
Paint & Sip Workshops
Sunday 21 September - Sunday 5 October 2025 School of Art
Respond to The Arts Centre's architecture and art you see in the Sculpture Festival to make clay sculptures of your own.
Sculpture Festival: Kids Clay Sculpture Workshop
Sunday 5 October 2025 School of Art
Respond to The Arts Centre's architecture and art you see in the Sculpture Festival to make clay sculptures of your own.
Ōtautahi’s Next Top Rocket
Monday 29 September & Friday 3 October 2025 School of Art
Who will make Ōtautahi’s Next Top Rocket? All it takes is a clean plastic bottle (1.5-2L), persistence, and some help from Te Whai Ao – Dodd-Walls Centre. Get ready to launch your own rocket!
Paint & Sip Workshops
Sunday 21 September - Sunday 5 October 2025 School of Art
Respond to The Arts Centre's architecture and art you see in the Sculpture Festival to make clay sculptures of your own.
Sculpture Festival: Kids Clay Sculpture Workshop
Sunday 5 October 2025 School of Art
Respond to The Arts Centre's architecture and art you see in the Sculpture Festival to make clay sculptures of your own.
Ōtautahi’s Next Top Rocket
Monday 29 September & Friday 3 October 2025 School of Art
Who will make Ōtautahi’s Next Top Rocket? All it takes is a clean plastic bottle (1.5-2L), persistence, and some help from Te Whai Ao – Dodd-Walls Centre. Get ready to launch your own rocket!