Free events in Christchurch in October 2026

Monday, October 19, 2026

• Visual arts

  until Jun 27

  Shona Rapira Davies: Ko te Kihikihi Taku Ingoa

  Shona Rapira Davies

  Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Mar 7

  Kā Whakatauraki: The Promises

  Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Dec 13

  Archive Lounge: Inside The Group

  Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until May 30

  Timeless: Treasures from the Historical Collection

  Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Oct 31

  NEW WORKS: Emma Camden, Zara Dolan, Kara Burrowes

  Emma Camden · Zara Dolan · Kara Burrowes

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Oct 24

  Te raranga o tōku ao

  Lily Williams

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Nov 8

  Scented Translations

  Jen Alexandra · Jo Burzynska · Steven Junil Park

  CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Oct 26

  Sculpture Festival 2026

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Jan 31

  Spinster, Married, Widow

  Tūranga · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Nov 26

  WHAIAO

  Tūranga · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Dec 18

  One Wall

  CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Oct 25

  UC Teece Museum: Where in the World?

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

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• Visual arts

  until Oct 26

  Timeless Treasures: Feature Tour

  Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Other

  until Oct 26

  Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026 at The Arts Centre

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  Free

• Other

  7 PM

  The Great Freshwater Debate

  The Piano · Christchurch Central

  Free Tickets ↗

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

• Visual arts

  10 AM

  Adventurous Artist: Margaret Stoddart

  Canterbury Museum Pop-Up · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

• Music

  6 PM

  Inner City Jam

  A Rolling Stone · Christchurch Central

  • Music

  Free

Thursday, October 22, 2026

• Music

  5 PM

  Mimi Griffiths Piano - End of Year Piano Students' Performance Night

  A Rolling Stone · Christchurch Central

  • Music

  Free

Friday, October 23, 2026

• Music

  7 PM

  Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival: Meet, Greet and Hot Seat Jam

  Mainland Big Band · Ellesmere Big Band

  A Rolling Stone · Christchurch Central

  • Music
  • Jazz
  • Swing

  Free

Saturday, October 24, 2026

• Music

  10 AM

  Big Bands at Altiora

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  • Music

  Free

• Music

  10:30 AM

  Big Band Beats for Little Feet

  Tūranga · Christchurch Central

  • Music
  • Swing

  Free

• Music

  12 PM

  Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival: Saturday Bands

  Nelson Jazz Club Big Band · Christchurch School of Music Big Band

  A Rolling Stone · Christchurch Central

  • Music
  • Jazz
  • Swing

  Free

Sunday, October 25, 2026

• Other

  —Time not announced

  Te Whare Tapere – Performing Arts Precinct Open Day

  Isaac Theatre Royal · Christchurch Central

  Free Tickets ↗

Monday, October 26, 2026

• Comedy

  6:30 PM

  Good Advice, Bad Advice

  Good Times Comedy Club · Christchurch Central

  • Comedy

  Free Tickets ↗

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

• Literature

  6 PM

  ACOTAR 6 Release Night Celebration

  Tūranga · Christchurch Central

  • Literature

  Free

• Music

  6 PM

  Inner City Jam

  A Rolling Stone · Christchurch Central

  • Music

  Free

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

• Visual arts

  until Nov 21

  Tuku Iho

  Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

Saturday, October 31, 2026

• Music

  4 PM

  Doubtful Sounds

  A Rolling Stone · Christchurch Central

  • Music

  Free

• Visual arts

  until Apr 26

  Jason Greig: Blood is Thicker

  Jason Greig

  Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū · Christchurch Central

  • Visual arts

  Free

Everything on in Christchurch