Central South Island Festivals & Events

• World Buskers Festival
  Buskers from around the world compete in Christchurch.
• Akaroa Festival
  Celebrating the arrival of French, German and English settlers, this event includes a wine and food festival.

• International Garden City Festival of Flowers, Christchurch
  Open gardens, tours, seminars and demonstrations.
• Festival of Romance
  A celebration of romance held in Christchurch.
• Rakaia Salmon Fishing Competition
• Rakaia Garden Competition

• Methven A & P Show
  The region's farming community showcases its best produce.
• Canterbury Adventure Festival
  A region-wide event showcasing the numerous adventure options the central South Island offers.
• Le Race
  The South Island's longest cycle event from Cathedral Square in Christchurch to Akaroa.
• Summer Times - Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks
  Live classical music with the Christchurch Symphony.
• Salmon Fishing Championships
  Held at the Waitaku River.
• The Endurance Race
  A three day, 10 stage and four discipline race from Mount Cook to Christchurch.

• New Zealand Walking Festival
  Held in Methven.

• Wheels Week in Ashburton
  Celebrating wheels from vehicles through to spinning wheels.
• Mount Hutt Ski Area opens
• Mount Hutt Snow Festival
  A winter sports festival that continues into June.

• Mount Hutt Snow Festival
• Books and Beyond
  A literary and writers festival based in Christchurch.

• Christchurch Arts Festival
  A celebration of performing arts that continues through to August.
• NZ Canadian Moose Ice Hockey Competition
  Held at the Alpine Ice Sports Centre, Christchurch.
• NZ Film Festival
  A selection of cinema highlights from around the world, including drama, documentaries and classic movies. Opens in Christchurch and continues into August.

• Christchurch Arts Festival
• Montana Christchurch Winter Carnival
  A celebration of winter in Canterbury with snow sports events, floats, fireworks and games.
• Christchurch International Jazz Festival
• Conservation Week, Twizel
• Grand International Racing Carnival
  Steeples and hurdles racing at Christchurch's Addington Raceway.
• Ben Ohau Highland Games
  Highland Games on skis at Ohau Skifield.
• NZ Film Festival

• Spring Festival of Food, Wine and Health, Christchurch
• NZ Pet Expo, Christchurch

• Kaikoura Seafest
  A taste of produce from land and sea.
• Mount Hutt Ski Area closes
• Akaroa Spring Garden Festival
  Open homes and gardens, workshops and flower shows.
• Meridian Energy Aviemore Classic
  Yacht racing on Lake Aviemore.
• Meridian Energy Kayak Race
  Held on Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel.
• Gardenz
  A garden show at Christchurch.
• Waimate Shears
  The annual shearing championships.

• Southern Traverse
  A marathon event involving walking, mountain biking and kayaking.
• Canterbury Draught NZ Cup Meeting, Riccarton Park, Christchurch
  Three days of high-class thoroughbred racing.
• Santa Parade
  Christchurch celebrates the festive season with floats and a parade.
• The Rose Show
  Held at Canterbury Horticultural Centre.
• South Island Regional Gliding Championships
  Held at Omarama.
• Canterbury Show, Christchurch
  The region's farmers show-off the best of their produce.

• Modern Yacht Regatta
  Held at Lyttelton.
• Omarama Rodeo
• Coca Cola Christmas in the Park
  Open air musical extravaganza featuring Christmas carols and popular songs.
• The Great Britten Boat Race
  A boat race and river festival on the Avon River.
• Waimate Strawberry Fare
• Mackenzie Shears
  An annual shearing competition held at Fairlie.
• Waimate Rodeo