Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026 at The Arts Centre
Friday 16 October - Monday 26 October (Labour Day) 2026
Venue: Arts Centre wide
Join us in exploring the heritage of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre over the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026.
The theme this year is Building Place—Connections. The place we live in continues to change and the connections we make shape our future. Through sharing our stories, we better understand our environment, the landscape, the people, and this place.
The theme this year developed from anniversaries relating to the expansion, change, and development of infrastructure and communications in the city of Ōtautahi Christchurch and the Waitaha Canterbury region.
Festival events
Observatory Tower and Exhibition Tours
Sunday 18 and 25 October 2026 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
Heritage Fun Zone
Sunday 18 and 25 October 2026 South Quad
Join in some outdoor heritage games and activities from the 1800s at The Arts Centre. Find out more
Anna Pavlova in New Zealand - A Centennial Celebration
Friday 16 October 2026 Clock Tower
Join us for an interesting and insightful illustrated lecture on the great Russian dancer, who toured New Zealand and visited Christchurch in 1926. Find out more
The Original Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Highlights Tour
Saturday 17 and 24 October 2026 Clock Tower
Join us for a Heritage Festival Special guided walking tour of Ōtautahi Christchurch: how it was, how it is, and how it will be. Find out more
The Official Arts Centre Guided Tour
Saturday 17 and 24 October 2026 Clock Tower
Go behind the scenes of New Zealand’s largest collection of heritage buildings with this walking tour featuring stories, people, historic achievements and discoveries. Find out more
Urban Explorations: Hidden Gothic walking tour
Sunday 18 October Clock Tower
Go behind the scenes at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre on this Urban Explorations guided walk. Discover the gothic revival architecture of this iconic heritage site. Find out more
Sketch@Tūranga: Creative Gothic Sketch
Sunday 18 October
Drop by Tūranga to join the monthly creative sketch session, celebrating Te Matatki Toi Ora The Arts Centre as part of Christchurch heritage Festival 2026 Find out more
Other Events You Might Like
Sculpture Detectives
Saturday 10 - Monday 26 October North Quad
Find the sculptures hiding at The Arts Centre Sculpture Festival. Design your own sculpture. Complete the tasks to get a mini sculpting pack!
Free
Homemade Instruments Workshop
Friday 9 October School of Art
DIY musical instrument and discover how ordinary objects can be transformed into extraordinary sounds. So good!
Stitching for Beginners
Thursday 8 October First floor, Boys’ High
Learn and have fun using needle and coloured threads to make basic stitches (the backbone of The Art of Embroidery) on hessian.
Sculpture Detectives
Saturday 10 - Monday 26 October North Quad
Find the sculptures hiding at The Arts Centre Sculpture Festival. Design your own sculpture. Complete the tasks to get a mini sculpting pack!
Free
Homemade Instruments Workshop
Friday 9 October School of Art
DIY musical instrument and discover how ordinary objects can be transformed into extraordinary sounds. So good!
Stitching for Beginners
Thursday 8 October First floor, Boys’ High
Learn and have fun using needle and coloured threads to make basic stitches (the backbone of The Art of Embroidery) on hessian.