Celebrate Puanga Matariki at Tīrama Mai 2025 in Christchurch. Discover free light installations, interactive art, storytelling and cultural displays perfect for families this winter.
Let’s be honest. Winter evenings usually mean slippers, moaning about the heating bill, and Googling “quick dinner that’s not soup.” But this June, Tīrama Mai is swooping in like a glittery night-time superhero, giving you the perfect reason to bundle up the whānau, head into town, and soak up some serious sparkle.
From Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 June, Tīrama Mai lights up central Ōtautahi with a festival that’s free, family-friendly, and a total feast for the eyes and ears. It’s part of how we mark Puanga Matariki, the Māori New Year—a time for remembering those we’ve lost, reconnecting with each other, and yes, admiring twinkly things in the sky and on the pavement.
This year’s celebration will stretch across some of the city’s most iconic spaces: Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, along Worcester Boulevard, and even Riverside Market (which is frankly always worth a wander if you’ve got snacky kids or a thing for cheese samples).
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What you can expect from Tīrama Mai 2025:
So what’s the vibe?
Expect glowing installations, vibrant projections, dreamy soundscapes and interactive works that invite the kids to actually touch the art. There’ll be a mix of fresh new works alongside a few returning crowd favourites—because let’s be real, we all love a good encore.
And it’s not just a visual spectacle either. The Art Gallery will be buzzing with storytelling sessions, short films, talks, and late-night exhibition hours.
When to go (and how late you can keep the kids up without regrets)
- Wed 18 June: 4.30pm – 9.30pm
- Thurs 19 to Sun 22 June: 2.30pm – 9.30pm
Pro tip: the earlier weekend times are gold for littlies with early bedtimes, and there’s still enough glow to go around before they start melting down.
Whether you’re watching for Puanga or Matariki, this is a time for slowing down, remembering those who’ve passed, and feeling your place in the big picture. Or at the very least, using it as a teachable moment while your five-year-old is distracted by a glowing jellyfish suspended from a tree.
Make it a night out (with or without children—we’re not judging)
Start at the Art Gallery, wander through The Arts Centre, follow the trail down Worcester Boulevard, and pop into Riverside Market for a treat or two. The whole thing is made for strolling, gawking, and Instagramming—just maybe wear decent shoes and take a thermos. Or better yet, bribe the kids with hot choccy.
Keep your eyes peeled for the official map and event programme (coming soon), and get ready to light up the dark nights of June with something a whole lot more magical than just your heat pump.
It’s Tīrama Mai. It’s beautiful. It’s free. And yes, the kids will want to touch everything. Enjoy.
All images credited to Christchurch City Council, sourced via Facebook
