Culture Galore

Culture Galore is a multicultural festival that provides an opportunity for different ethnic groups in our community to showcase their culture. This is achieved through performing arts, ethnic food, crafts, demonstrations, sports, games, and language.

Culture Galore is a prime opportunity for the people of Christchurch to experience and celebrate the diversity of cultures that exist in our community.

Event objectives

• Raising the profile of ethnic communities
• Engagement and participation
• Exposure to different cultures
• Fundraising opportunities for ethnic groups
• Access to ethnic information and services
• Family-oriented environment

Event format

The event includes various groups performing on the main stage, with each performance scheduled for 10 minutes. This will take place from around 12.10pm to 4pm.

In addition, groups have the opportunity to showcase their culture through exhibits, ethnic food stalls, craft stalls, and interactive information displays.

The event will also feature a range of children’s activities, including face painting, sports games, a police radar run, bouncy castles, soft archery, and more.

Performance area

Performances must be no longer than 10 minutes, including getting on and off the stage.

The stage is 9m wide, 7.2m deep, and 1.2m high. If required, there will be a space inside the building for changing into your performance dress.

If you are a performing group, please also provide a brief performance description when you register for the event. If you are unsure of what your performance will be, we will contact you at a later stage for MC notes.

Please note that we cannot guarantee all groups will be able to perform on the day. We aim to showcase a variety of performances, but have limited spaces available. Selection is based on several criteria, including ensuring representation from a diverse range of cultures, giving priority to groups that are new to the event and have not performed previously, and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ethnic information stall or craft stall

These stalls will be located inside the building, and we will provide tables and chairs.

Groups are encouraged to provide a have-a-go, hands-on activity, games, or the selling of ethnic crafts that are related to cultural aspects of your country or region.

Information stalls are for organisations that offer services that are relevant to the refugee and migrant community. Please note that this is not the forum for promoting political or religious views.

Ethnic food stalls – Please read carefully

Please note that groups are to provide their own shade structure, gazebos, tables and chairs.

Groups must provide a minimum of 30kg of weight for each leg of the gazebo (weights, sandbags, buckets filled with rocks). Or we can supply these for you at a cost of $20.

Groups must provide a tarp underneath their gazebo to catch food or oil spills.

Culture Galore is part of the Sustainable Events Canterbury (SEC) initiative, previously known as the CFPE or Compostable Food Packaging at Events.

This means that all food packaging handed over to your customers must be from the Sustainable Events Canterbury Guide. More detailed information will be included in your confirmation email.  Please do not purchase any products until you have received this email.

All rubbish is hand-sorted at the event and sent to be composted or recycled.

All food stall operators are required to attend a compulsory 60-minute training session on SEC-approved packaging, as there are updates to these products. If you have already completed the training, you are still required to attend again. 

We also invite other stallholders to come along who may also want to see the new venue for a pre-event site visit.

• Date: Tuesday 27 January 2026
• Time: 6pm to 7.15pm
• Pre-event site visit time: 7.15pm to 8pm
• Location: Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre – 455 Hagley Avenue

Helen Miles will be your contact for everything around SEC, so please contact her if you have any questions at 03 941 5409, 027 490 7618 or helen.miles@ccc.govt.nz.

All your packaging is audited onsite before the event, so please remember to either have boxes or receipts with you.

The cost of a standard food stall for not-for-profit groups is $35, and there are limited larger premium sites available at $50. Food caravans and commercial vendors will be charged $70.

To secure your stall site, fees must be prepaid after you receive confirmation of your site acceptance. Payment details will be provided in the acceptance email. Each stall will be allocated a 5m x 4m space. Food stall operators are responsible for providing their own shade structure, gazebo, tables, and chairs, and must comply with all relevant health and safety regulations.

Electricity is available, and groups are asked to state their electricity requirements on the registration form if it is greater than a standard 10-amp plug.

For safety reasons, all electrical equipment used by your group must be tested prior to the event. Each appliance must display a current electrical test tag confirming it is safe for use. On the day of the event, all equipment will be inspected. Any items without a valid tag will either be prohibited from use or tested onsite at a cost of $15 per appliance. Caravans are also required to comply with this process and must hold a current electrical warrant of fitness.

You can get your appliances tested at Electro-Tech Services, 72 Mowbray Street (03 374 3211) for $5 per appliance or by any qualified electrician.

Stallholders should note that power usage must not exceed 10 amps or 2400 watts. Please check each appliance for its power rating, which is usually listed on the device. If you are using multiple appliances, add their wattage together - if the total exceeds 2400 watts, please inform us. Additionally, if you require extra power or use a plug type other than the standard 10-amp connection, kindly let us know in advance.

All food groups must acknowledge when they return their registration form that they have read and understand the food health regulations. If you are a moveable premises or a caravan, you must provide a copy of your registration certificate.

Cars will be directed to a designated drop-off zone, where you will have up to 10 minutes to unload your equipment. After unloading, please move your vehicle to the allocated parking area for the duration of the event. Ensure you have enough helpers to complete unloading within the 10-minute timeframe.

We will have an area inside the building for you to store surplus food if required. This will be unrefrigerated.

Please note that not-for-profit ethnic community groups will be given priority, and commercial vendors will have an opportunity to register after this.

Registration of interest

If your cultural group is interested in participating, can you fill out the online ‘Registration of Interest(external link)’ form no later 16 January 2026. We will be accepting registrations from community groups first.

Car parking

There will be no car parking on the event site for stall holders. There will, however, be a designated car park for stall holders and performing groups. In your confirmation email, further details will be provided regarding your arrival time and entry point.

For performing groups, you will be directed to a designated car park area, and you will receive two parking passes. After your performance, kindly vacate the parking area for the next group.

There is no vehicle movement allowed from 11.30am to 4.15pm.

If you have any questions

Please contact:

Lisa Gregory
Community Recreation Advisor
Fendalton Customer Service Hub and Library
Cnr Jeffrey’s and Clyde Road, Fendalton
03 941 6729 / 027 227 3064
lisa.gregory@ccc.govt.nz

Helen Miles
Community Recreation Advisor
Riccarton Customer Service Hub
199 Clarence Street, Riccarton
03 941 5409 / 027 4907618
helen.miles@ccc.govt.nz