The season of sunshine in Ōtautahi
It’s time for endless summer fun. Check out the line-up of exhilarating summer events, and bask in the warm days and balmy nights as the city puts on months jam-packed with excitement. There is plenty of space to play this summer in Ōtautahi, and here are a few events you won’t want to miss.
Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival returns 19-28 January 2024
Much loved summer highlight Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival will be hitting the streets of Ōtautahi Christchurch for its 31st year from 19 – 28 January 2024. The 2024 festival will run for 10 days straight during the summer school holidays in the heart of central Christchurch across multiple open-air busking pitches and some of the city’s best loved venues. As one of the most highly anticipated and attended events on Ōtautahi’s summer calendar, the city will become the ultimate playground of fun for the young, the old, and the young at heart.
Amongst all of the incredible local and international talent, premiering at the 2024 festival is The Architects of Air Arborialis Luminarium. The 1000m2 inflatable artwork, with tunnels and cavernous domes, allows audiences to wander through and experience a mesmerising sensory experience of colour, light, and sound. Having only been presented two other times globally, this is an exciting addition to the festival and one centred around inclusivity, giving access to a broad audience, and all abilities.
Ever fancied a dance through the city streets? Those who experienced The Guru Dudu Silent Disco Walking Tours at the 2023 festival will know it was an absolute crowd favourite, and it is back for all the same fun and laughs in 2024. Get ready to drop your inhibitions and dance through the streets of Ōtautahi Christchurch with the high energy crew. Opening weekend will see the Buskers’ Comedy Club return, this year hosted at new venue The Church. Full of adults-only shenanigans and party tricks, award-winning comedian magician Jarred Fell will drop by for a special one-off performance. Additionally opening weekend closes with the fabulous Trevor Jones in Bread & Circus – SING IT!, where audiences vote for their favourite songs, and join in with a full live band and special guests.
Racing into a Super Summer Series 9-11 February 2024
Bringing New Zealand Championship motor racing back to life – the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship series hosts premier race classes to develop our next champions. Headlining the series are international drivers in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship cars. F1 names Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Lando Norris, and Lance Stroll have all raced here as part of the series and expect those from this season’s line-up to end up joining them in the future. Up for grabs is the historic Lady Wigram Trophy, with the winner’s name added alongside the likes of Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Bruce McLaren, Kenny Smith, Jackie Stewart, and Paul Radisich. It was last won in 2018 by Marcus Armstrong.
If it’s the latest factory Porsche, McLaren, Ginetta, BMW, or Mercedes-AMG you’re wanting to see, then head to the Summerset GT New Zealand category. Christchurch’s Rick Armstrong is one of several locals racing for hometown honours. For V8 fans it’s the first ever Trans-Tasman TA2 event, where the latest generation cars will take their first laps at Ruapuna’s notoriously technical circuit. Practice starts on Friday, with pre-race qualifying held Saturday morning. Race action starts in the afternoon and continues all day Sunday.
Crankworx Summer Series returns 1-3 March 2024
The ultimate mountain biking road trip comes to Ōtautahi Christchurch for the first time! We’re talking Crankworx-caliber competition with a grassroots vibe up at our amazing Christchurch Adventure Park. Events will give local and up-and-coming riders a chance to race with national and international heroes, providing a path for potential Crankworx World Tour greatness, and a real good time along the way. Crankworx Summer Series NZ is more than just mountain bike racing. It’s the early morning swims, the diverse natural playground, the next-level adrenaline junkie adventures, the backcountry scenes, the afternoon sessions with mates, and all the time and space to play that Ōtautahi Christchurch offers the athletes, visitors and locals.
The series is set to take on a fresh and exciting dimension with two internationally broadcasted events, Pump Track and Downhill. With its exciting move to Christchurch, the event promises
to captivate a broader audience, showcasing the rich sporting depth attractive for international athletes, and scenic wonders of New Zealand.
http://www.christchurchnz.com/explore/whats-on
