All the kid-friendly events, festivals and activities to keep everyone happy this Christmas and summer.
The tree is up, the sun is out, and the kids are already asking what’s next. Christchurch has plenty going on, from markets and concerts to pool parties and big summer days out. Here’s the full list of Christchurch Christmas events for kids, so you can pick and choose without scrolling for hours.
Read more: Our Favourite Things to Do Over the Festive Season (When It’s Hot and Not Feeling So Festive)
Please note: We’ll be updating this article as we discover new and exciting events throughout December and January. However, events sell out quickly and may no longer be available since publication, so book early!
Christchurch Christmas events for kids:
Shands Road Christmas Experience
A borderline ridiculous but hugely popular light show where the kids will stare wide-eyed, and the adults will argue about whose turn it is to pay for the hot chocolate. Great for a family night out that feels properly festive.
When: Nightly, Saturday 29 November to Tuesday 30 December 2025, 8.30pm to 11.30pm
Where: 650 Shands Road, Christchurch
How much: $15 adult, $5 child (under 15)
More details here.
Twelve Days of Christmas at the Cathedral
A calm, moving chance to pop behind the fences and see the City Mission tree inside the Cathedral. Small groups, thoughtful atmosphere and good cause vibes.
When: Weekdays from Monday 1 December to Tuesday 16 December 2025 (multiple short sessions).
Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 100 Cathedral Square
How much: All proceeds to the City Mission (up to 50 visitors per session)
More details here.
The Tannery Christmas Market
Local makers, live music and a festive evening vibe that turns The Tannery into a serious gift-hunting destination. Free entry and complimentary bites if you’re early enough.
When: Thursday 4 December 2025, 10am to 9pm
Where: The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston
How much: Free
More details here.
Family and Tamariki – Art Safari
Short and sweet artmaking for preschoolers. Perfect for toddlers who like glue, paint and mild chaos. Stick around for Storytime at Tūranga afterwards.
When: Thursday 4 December 2025, 10am to 12pm
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery, Montreal Street
How much: Free
More details here.
Cubbin Concert
Tiny concerts made for very small audiences with original songs and festive surprises. Sing, move and giggle. Suitable up to age seven.
When: Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 December 2025 (multiple short sessions).
Where: The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard
How much: From $20.20
More details here.
Christmas at Avebury
A low-key community afternoon with carols, games and a Santa selfie or two. Exactly the kind of neighbourly Christmas everyone needs.
When: Friday 5 December 2025, 3.30pm to 7pm
Where: Avebury House, 9 Eveleyn Couzins Avenue, Richmond
How much: Free
More details here.
Festive Gift Box Decorating
A hands-on table where tamariki decorate their own house-shaped gift boxes. Stickers, glitter pens and instant keepsakes. Fill with lollies if you fancy.
When: Saturday 6 December 2025, 11am to 3pm
Where: The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard
How much: Koha requested
More details here.
Ferrymead Heritage Park Night Market
Food stalls, craft vendors and live music in a quirky heritage setting. Bring the kids for a train ride and a sausage sizzle. Entry helps preserve the park.
When: Saturday 6 December 2025, 4pm to 8pm
Where: Ferrymead Heritage Park, 50 Ferrymead Park Drive
How much: Free to $5
More details here.
Pool Party – Giant Summer Season Kick-off!
Slides, inflatables and an obstacle course that will wear out the kids and charm the grown-ups. Free ice creams while stocks last. Sunglasses optional.
When: Saturday 6 December 2025, midday to 5pm
Where: Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre, 295 Ilam Road
How much: Standard pool entry fees
More details here.
GCM Christmas Mākete (Garden City Mākete)
Two hundred makers under one roof, food trucks, workshops and Santa. This is the place to get unique kiwi gifts without trawling a hundred shops.
When: Saturday 6 December 2025, 12pm to 8pm
Where: Wolfbrook Arena
How much: Free entry
More details here.
Kaiapoi Christmas Carnival and Santa Parade
A proper community day with a parade, giant market, family zone and live buskers. Bring a picnic blanket and a sense of occasion.
When: Saturday 6 December 2025, 9.30am to 3.30pm
Where: Kaiapoi Park, Smith Street, Kaiapoi
How much: Free (parking fees may apply)
More details here.
Sinterklaas Picnic
A Dutch-flavoured family afternoon with games, photos with Sinterklaas and treats for registered kids. Bring a picnic and a sense of fun.
When: Sunday 7 December 2025, 11.30am to 2.30pm
Where: Netherlands Society club rooms, 637 Marshland Road, Ouruhia
How much: Free (register to receive a gift for children)
More details here.
Riverside Farmers and Christmas Craft Market
Fresh produce outside, unique handmade gifts inside and a surprise visit from Santa. Great for groceries and stocking fillers in one stop.
When: Sunday 7 December 2025, 10am to 3pm
Where: Riverside Market, 96 Oxford Terrace
How much: Free
More details here.
Christmas Carols in the Quarry
An evening of brass, carols and a Santa visit in Halswell Quarry Park. Sausage sizzle included. Rain date Sunday 14 December.
When: Sunday 7 December 2025, 4.30pm to 6pm
Where: Halswell Quarry Park
How much: Free
More details here.
Mini Gym Party
Toddler soft play with face painting, a bouncy castle and an appearance from a very merry guest. Parents can relax on the sidelines and take photos.
When: Monday 8 December 2025, 9.30am to 11am
Where: Selwyn Sports Centre, 70 Broadlands Drive, Rolleston
How much: $5.50 (parents free)
More details here.
Little Dancing Elves
A festive dance class for tiny movers, with scarves, ribbons and silly moves. Come in costume if you like and be prepared to boogie.
When: Tuesday 9 December 2025, 10.30am to 11am
Where: Lincoln Event Centre, 15 Meijer Drive, Lincoln
How much: $5.30 (drop in, no booking)
More details here.
The Court Jesters Christmas Show
A family-friendly show that squeezes all the Christmas favourites into one hilarious performance. Best for slightly older kids but enjoyable for the whole family.
When: Runs across multiple evenings from Tuesday 9 December to Sunday 21 December 2025 (see schedule).
Where: The Court Theatre, 129 Gloucester Street
How much: $25 to $30
More details here.
Carols around the Fireplace
A cosy lunchtime singalong at The Arts Centre with live vocalists and a nostalgic feel. Great for toddler naps that end at precisely the right time.
When: Wednesday 10 and Wednesday 17 December 2025, 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Where: The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard
How much: Free
More details here.
Merry Town | Cashmere
Tiny Town gets a festive upgrade with themed play areas, dressing up and a special Christmas decoration zone. Ideal for confident walkers up to age six.
When: Thursday 11 December 2025, 9.30am to 12.15pm
Where: St Augustine’s Cashmere, 5 Cracroft Terrace
How much: $22
More details here.
Christmas Market Elf Trail — Lincoln Market NZ
An elf hunt with small prizes and a chance to win a bigger Festive Goodies Stocking. First 150 completed entries get a treat.
When: Saturday 13 December 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Gerald Street, Lincoln (beside Lincoln Library)
How much: Free to enter (limited prizes)
More details here.
Pool Party – School’s Out For Summer!
A final hurrah before the holidays with obstacle courses, a bouncy castle and plenty of splash time. Parents can watch the chaos unfold from dry land.
When: Saturday 13 December 2025, midday to 5pm
Where: Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road
How much: standard pool entry fees
More details here.
New Brighton Seaside Christmas Parade
Santa on the beach, a seaside market and live entertainment make this a cheerful family morning with a coastal twist.
When: Saturday 13 December 2025, 10am to 2pm
Where: Central New Brighton
How much: free
More details here.
Christmas Family Fun Day — Rolleston Square
An action-packed family day with pony rides, a petting zoo, soft play and a visit from Santa. Food trucks keep everyone fuelled.
When: Sunday 14 December 2025, 11am to 2pm
Where: Rolleston Square, 9 Masefield Drive, Rolleston
How much: free children’s entertainment, food at own cost
More details here.
South Christchurch Farmers’ Market Christmas Markets
All the usual fresh produce plus extra arts and crafts stalls for last-minute Christmas essentials and stocking fillers.
When: Sunday 14 December 2025 (and every Sunday)
Where: South Christchurch Farmers’ Market, 370 Colombo Street, Sydenham
How much: free
More details here.
Kids Christmas Crafts — Imprint Studio
A crafternoon where kids choose from over 25 activities and can make up to 12 crafts each. Adults must stay and can join in too. Mess guaranteed, pride compulsory.
When: multiple sessions Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 December 2025 (see schedule)
Where: Imprint Studio, 78 Nortons Road, Avonhead
How much: $20 to $25
More details here.
Christmas Tree Wonderland — Springston / Rolleston Road
A twinkling walk-through of decorated trees, live music and hot drinks. Gingerbread decorating and carols make this a proper family night out. Gold coin entry.
When: Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 December 2025, 5pm to 8pm each night
Where: 565 Springston Rolleston Road
How much: gold coin donation
More details here.
Gingerbread House Making Workshop — The Bridge Restaurant
A hands-on workshop for kids run by Hilary from The Gingerbread Company. Limited spots and sugar-fuelled creativity guaranteed. Adults supervise from the restaurant if they prefer.
When: Thursday 18 December 2025, 4.30pm to 6pm
Where: The Bridge, 579 Springs Road, Prebbleton
How much: $45 per child (ages 5+)
More details here.
Festive Holiday Fun Zone and Brick Building
Outdoor games for tamariki followed by indoor LEGO building. Good for burning energy in the sun and then calming down with a brick session.
When: Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December 2025, 10am to 3pm
Where: The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard
How much: Free
More details here.
Imagination Playground — Christchurch Art Gallery
Free-build sessions with giant foam blocks and creative play. Drop in and stay as long as the kids will allow. Multiple weekend dates over summer.
When: Saturdays 20 and 27 December 2025, and 3, 10 and 17 January 2026, 10am to 5pm
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery, Montreal Street
How much: Free
More details here.
Brekkie with Santa: A Festive Morning with nook NZ x Messy Mates
nook NZ and Messy Mates are serving up a festive morning of brekkie, Santa fun and Christmas magic. Kids get a sweet or savoury breakfast from Cheeky Sparrow, adults get pastries, and everyone gets the full Santa experience — story time, meet-and-greet, a Santa hat to take home and a goodie bag for each child.
When: Saturday 20 December, 9–10.30am
Where: Messy Mates Play Studio, The Hub Hornby
How much: $60 for one child + one adult / $40 per additional sibling / $20 per extra adult
Carols by Candlelight — Victoria Square
A long-standing Christchurch tradition. A children’s choir, Salvation Army Band and communal carol singing under candlelight. Candles and books sold to fund the event.
When: Wednesday 24 December 2025, 9pm to 10pm
Where: Victoria Square, corner Colombo and Armagh Streets
How much: Free (candles/carol books on sale)
More details here.
NYE Kids Countdown — North Hagley Park
An early countdown, confetti canons and family friendly music so parents do not have to feign energy at midnight. Food trucks available.
When: Wednesday 31 December 2025, 4pm to 7pm
Where: North Hagley Park, Rolleston Ave
How much: Free
More details here.
World Buskers Festival
Ten days of street theatre, circus acts and comedy across central Christchurch. Great for older kids and those who like their entertainment live and loud.
When: Thursday 22 January to Saturday 1 February 2026, 10am to 10pm daily
Where: Various central Christchurch locations
How much: Free for general street performances (some ticketed shows)
More details here.
Kite Day 2026 — New Brighton Pier
Kites, beaches and the simple joy of things flying well. Bring sunscreen, a picnic and a lightweight kite. Leave the glass at home.
When: Saturday 24 January 2026, midday to 4pm
Where: New Brighton Pier, Marine Parade
How much: Free
More details here.
Images credited to respective busineses via Facebook pages
