School Holiday Fun
September School Holiday Programme
September 20 - October 5 2025
Venue: Arts Centre wide
Lollies, Laughs and loads of fun!
Enjoy music, movies, drama, crafts, puppets and more.
September School Holiday Events
Running into the Sun
Tuesday 9 September - Sunday 14 September 2025 Cloisters Studio
Get ready for a 60 minute whirlwind performance at the Christchurch Arts Centre with two actors, a three piece jazz band and four contemporary dancers. Find out more
Pandemonium (percussion)
Tuesday 23 September 2025 Great Hall
Join Brett Painter, Roanna Funcke, and Jeremy Thin as they showcase their percussive prowess in a vibrant celebration of rhythm and sound. Find out more
Cubbin Theatre: Sportsball
Thursday 25 - Sunday 28 September 2025 Cloisters Studio
Sportsball is the story of Tai, a young child with an active inner world and an active outer world. Tai loves playing and watching sports with his dad and he loves his big red ball. Find out more
Design Your Own Ceramic Mug
Sunday 21, Sunday 28 September & Saturday 4, Sunday 5 October 2025 Engineering
Choose a bisque-fired ceramic mug with a crazy handle, then decorate it with your own designs. Afterwards, we'll glaze and fire your mug to make it food-safe, glossy, and ready for use!
Find out more
UC Percussion at the Great Hall
Friday 26 September 2025 Great Hall
Join UC percussionists for an exhilarating concert of percussion music from Aotearoa and abroad. Find out more
Tiny Seed: A creative workshop for ages 5–8
Tuesday 30 September, 2025 School of Art
Explore the story of a brave, tiny seed through visual art, music and drama. Perfect for tamariki who enjoy imaginative play, stories and art. Find out more
Paper Craft Workshop: Sewn Paper Books
Thursday 2 October,2025 Chemistry
In this creative workshop, take inspiration from the Teece Museum and design your very own books out of paper! Learn how to sew paper to make a book. Find out more
The Orange Box
Wednesday 24 September 2025 Great Hall
A paper puppet is stuck in a rut, then a map and a mysterious box appear. This captivating show uses puppets, juggling, and circus artistry to take a journey into the unknown.
Find out more
Outrageous Olympians
Saturday 20 September - Sunday 5 October, 2025 Chemistry
Help the Olympians return tools to their rightful owners before Zeus unleashes his wrath. Join the Teece Museum's legendary mini-figure hunt and you could win an awesome prize pack. Find out more
Sculpt-a-Lolly Workshop
Thursday 2 October 2025 School of Art
Get creative these school holidays in a sweet-as polymer clay workshop where kids can sculpt their own colourful lollipops and turn them into fun charms or keyrings to take home. Find out more
Young Creators Market Stall - Seekers Mākete
Saturday 20, Saturday 27 September & Saturday 4 October, 2025 Market Square
Run your own stall at the Seekers Mākete! Apply now for a space ($10 fee). You could sell handmade crafts, baking, art, or something else! Find out more
One Day School - Circo Arts
Wednesday 24, Monday 29 September & Wednesday 1 October, 2025 The Gym
Have the best time at school that's not school! Circus arts (acrobatics, aerials, equilibristic, juggling, clown, and more), creativity, and exploring around The Arts Centre. Ages 6-12 years. Find out more
Cinderella
Monday 22 & Monday 29 September, 2025 Second floor, West Lecture
Disney's original animated version, restored to glory with Ilene Woods as the voice of Cinderella. Sometimes dreams do come true.
Rated G Find out more
Circus Youth
Tuesday 23 & 30 September, 2025 The Gym
Step inside the wonderful world of circus at Altiora, in this introduction to aerials, acrobatics, juggling, clown, and games. Circus Youth is for ages 10 to 13 years. Find out more
Circus Families
Tuesday 23 & 30 September, 2025 The Gym
You're never too old for circus. This super fun intro session is designed for families to step inside the wonderful world of circus - together!
Find out more
The Call of the Kraken - Drama and Music Workshop
Tuesday 23 September, 2025 School of Art
Explore the underwater world of the kraken through music and drama, creating ocean soundscapes and stepping into the brave role of Avis.
Find out more
Circus Kids
Tuesday 23, Thursday 25, Tuesday 30 September & Thursday 2 October 2025 The Gym
Step inside the wonderful world of circus at Altiora, in this introduction to aerials, acrobatics, juggling, clown, and games. Circus Kids is for ages 6 to 9 years. Find out more
Fudge Shape Decorating
Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 September & Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 October 2025 First floor, Boys’ High
Pop into The Fudge Cottage and decorate your own special fudge shape using chocolate, lollies, and other fun confectionery items Find out more
My Neighbour Totoro
Wednesday 24 September & Wednesday 1 October 2025 Second floor, West Lecture
One of Studio Ghibli’s best loved films – Satsuki and Mei, two young girls, befriend a fantastical creature who takes them on a magical adventure. Rated G.
Find out more
Creative Afternoon Out
Wednesday 24 September & Monday 29 September 2025 School of Art
Give your creative child an afternoon out in a fun, inclusive environment, with Paint n Sip Studio and Lumière Cinemas. Find out more
Junk Band Jam
Wednesday 24 September 2025 Engineering
An amazing opportunity for kids (and big kids) to have a free music jam with Davey and his quirky, slightly bonkers, unconventional home-made instruments. Find out more
African Drum Workshop
Thursday 25 September 2025 Great Hall
Learn the basic techniques of African drumming and be part of an awesome drum circle.
Find out more
Stitch and Create
Friday 26, Saturday 27 & Monday 29 September 2025 First floor, Boys’ High
Create original embroidery using colourful threads. Learn basic stitches then let your creativity take over! Your new skills will be useful for all sorts of up-cycling, sewing and mending projects. Find out more
Instrument Making Workshop
Friday 26 September 2025 School of Art
Super creative instrument making workshops. Recycle and make music with your very own tin can shakers, kazoos, diddly bows and more! Find out more
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! Find out more
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. Find out more
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. 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!