Christchurch is the festival capital of New Zealand—no matter when you visit, it’s bound to coincide with a festival of some sort. The World Buskers Festival (www.worldbuskersfestival.com) held mid-to-late January, is the largest street performance festival in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll be treated to jazz and comedy shows, as well as acts of juggling, contortionism, and more. The Christchurch Arts Festival (www.artsfestival.co.nz) is staged every 2 years ( July–Aug) as a showcase for local and international talent.

The New Zealand Cup & Show Week (www.nzcupandshow.co.nz), the second week of November, is a mixed bag of celebratory events, from Canterbury’s anniversary day to racing events, fashion shows, and a rollout of the best of the country's agriculture and pastoral farming industry, the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) Show (www.theshow.co.nz), where the farming community brings its best to town. This ranges from dressage and show jumping to wood chopping and sheep shearing to a grand parade of prize-winning animals, and tent after tent of award-winning wines, oils, cakes, jam, along with the fun of fair stalls and sideshows. At the same time, the horse-racing fraternity arrives in Christchurch for the New Zealand Cup national trotting cup and race day with a gold cup for thoroughbreds (gallops). Tickets for race meetings, the A&P Show, and other promoted events are available from the website.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.