Spring in Christchurch is 20 per cent nor-west winds, 20 per cent blossom whirlwinds – and the other 60 per cent? That’s the unbeatable vibe you get from the line-up of festivals, live music, sports, cultural performances, art, and fashion that make up BLOOM – Christchurch’s festival of events which is 100 per cent all about spring.

BLOOM features the city’s most iconic and well-loved events alongside some brand new ones. The 2021 line-up includes Riccarton Park and Addington Cup Weeks, the New Zealand Agricultural Show, Synthony No. 3, the South Island Moon Festival, Christchurch Big Band Festival, and many more.

As much as BLOOM is about fun and festivities, it’s also about supporting local businesses.

Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager Destination and Attraction, says ensuring a vibrant city and strong domestic visitor economy is a vital part of the city’s response to the social and economic impacts of COVID-19, and BLOOM contributes to this.

She says that there’s no doubt the last year has been tough for businesses, even more so for those reliant on tourism or involved in the hospitality industry.

“Last year, during the BLOOM season, from September to November, there was a 99.8 per cent drop in international arrivals at Christchurch Airport compared to the same period in 2019, and with borders remaining closed, these businesses continue to be reliant on local and domestic markets to keep afloat.

“Recent alert level changes have put even more pressure on – so now is the time to really show our support. That’s why part of our focus in BLOOM is to remind people of the compelling reasons to get out and support local, to book tickets, visit restaurants and bars, and celebrate spring in our beautiful city, COVID alert levels permitting, of course,” Loren says.

The BLOOM calendar runs from September to November and only gets busier as the season warms up – with November being the ‘jewel in the BLOOM crown’ packed with events to enjoy.

Riccarton Race Week on 6, 10, and 13 November is a Canterbury social highlight featuring high-class racing, fashion, food, and entertainment across three epic days. Cup Week at Addington Raceway runs from 9 to 12 November, with an enticing mix of racing, fashion, entertainment, food, and wine.

Fun for the whole family can be found at the New Zealand Agricultural Show from 10 to 12 November. Here you’ll see the very best of our farming and agricultural sector, including sheepdog trials, wood chopping, exhilarating rides – and animals, animals, animals! This year, kids’ entry is free; with every adult or senior ticket purchased, you can select up to five kids’ tickets at no charge!

For those in need of a boogie, Synthony No. 3, on 13 November, will be bringing the ‘party to Ōtautahi’ while serving up your favourite dance tracks performed by a live orchestra, vocalists, and DJs. Tickets will sell out quicker than you can say doof doof, so get in quick.

This year will see the city’s newest cultural event introduced to the CBD – the South Island Moon Festival, running from 18 to 21 November. This celebration of East Asian culture and community will dazzle and delight you with C-Pop, K-Pop, fire-breathing dragons, Christchurch’s biggest-ever karaoke stage, and a giant 7.5m inflatable Moon! Come down to the City Promenade and expect to be impressed.

BLOOM is set to be an epic celebration of Ōtautahi Christchurch: the beauty of our city, its vibrancy and all there is to see and do – but perhaps most of all, the chance to come together and spend time with friends and whānau.

See full event listings at bloomnz.com

ŌTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH IN BLOOM