Events in Canterbury

Please see below for a list of public events in the area.  To find out more about any of these events, please contact the event organiser directly, their details are listed at the bottom of each event.

Peel Forest Community Children's Day

Where: Montessori Pre-school Ground, Mian Peel Forest Road, Peel Forest

When: Sunday 4th March, 1.30pm - 4pm

Activities: Great kid challenge, face painting, horse rides, bouncy castle, fire truck, vintage cars, art and craft, music, lolly scramble and much more.

Contact person: Natasha Rankin, 03 696 3739

The Co-operative Bank Children's Day

Where: The Groynes

When: Sunday 4th March, 11am - 4pm 

Activities:  Lots of free fun activities for the children such as bouncy castles, adreneline rush, wall climbing, soap and stone carving. Get the kids out and about for the day to celebrate and have fun. Buses will be organised to depart from different locations to bring families to the event. For the bus schedule, please contactHelen Miles, 03 9415409.

Contact person: Jody Keehan, 03 323 4133 -

Salvation Army Linwood Children's Day

Where: The Salvation Army Linwood, 177 Linwood Ave, Linwood

When: Sunday 4th March, 10am - 12pm

Activities: Reverse church - usually we have adults church with a children's slot. On Children's Day we're going to reverse this - children's church with an adult slot!!

Contact: Marilyn Tremain, 03 389 3723

New Brighton Community Market Children's Day

Where: New Brighton pedestrian mall

When:  Saturday 3rd March, 9am - 3pm

Activities: A Market day with activities for children such as newfoundland dogcart rides $2 a ride, Llama Lookout Llamas, displays from local children's clubs, craft-making, face painting, kapa haka performances and a puppet show.

Contact person: Tracey Keen, 03 382 0498

Mid Canterbury Children's Day

Where: Plains Railway and Historical Museum, Maronan Road, Tinwald, Ashburton

When: Sunday 4th March, 10am - 3.00pm 

Activities: A fun picnic day for families with range of rides including Police cars, fire engines, steam train, miniature training and more. There will be a fun area for under 5's and bungy and skate schools for over 5's. The day will finish off with a Top team competition.

Contact person: Jo, 03 307 7724

Kaikoura Children's Day - Peace and Aroha

Where: Kaikoura Memorial Hall, 34 Esplanade, Kaikoura

When: Sunday 4th March, 11am - 2.00pm

Activities: Free activities for children including face painting, sausage sizzle, music, bouncy casle, tug of war and much more.

Contact person: Lesa B'do, 03 319 5026

Children's Day Waimate

Where: Waimate Norman Kirk Memorial Swimming Pool, Queen Street

When: Sunday 4th March, 12.00pm - 5.00pm

Activities: Half price pool admission, free sausage sizzle, lolly scramble, spot prizes and various aquatic and swimming pool activities.

Contact person: Maree McConnell, 03 689 8259

South Canterbury Children's Day

Where: Caroline Bay, Timaru

When: Sunday 4th March, 10am - 2pm

Activities: Everything is free at Caroline Bay for the children and families of South Canterbury. Free sausages, fruit and drink. Lots of activities for the Under 5's in the Bay Hall. Outdoor activities provided by Sports South Canterbury. The Caroline Bay Association rides will be operating and Water Walkers will be there. We will have clowns and magicians and lots of giveaways.

Contact person: Michelle Brown, 03 688 4123

Children's Day Kidz Karnival

Where: Parklands Baptist Community Church, 180 Queenspark Drive, Queenspark, Christchurch

When: Sunday 4th March, 2:30pm - 4pm

Activities: Bouncy Castle, face painting and free games for all children to participate in. Prizes!

Contact person: Anita Darnell, 03 383 89 39

Musikool Kids' Special Event

Where: Phone for directions (meeting in temporary premises), Papanui, Christchurch

When: 2nd March, 10am - 11am

Activities: Music and movement for preschoolers and their families. Percussion instruments, parachute, puppets and bubbles.

Contact person: Melanie Koster, 03 3423 516

Malvern Fun Run Walk and Ride

Where: Darfield Recreation Centre, Darfield Canterbury, Darfield, Christchurch

When: Sunday 4th March, 9am - 4pm

Activities: Cycling, walking and running 1km, 2km, 6 and 12km for all of the family.

Contact person: Helen Warren, 03 318 7684