Charge into final weekend of school holidays

With the BNZ Crusaders taking on the Sharks in a must-win match at AMI Stadium and the lantern parade on in the central city, a busy Saturday night lies ahead.

Join the crusade at AMI Stadium this Saturday.

Go the Crusaders

The top-of-the-table BNZ Crusaders continue their march towards another Super Rugby championship win when they take on Sharks at AMI Stadium on Saturday.

It is a must win quarter-final match-up for the defending champions so come along and show your support for the team. 

Kick-off is at 7.35pm and tickets are available through TicketDirect.

Magician appears in Christchurch

British magician Dynamo brings his Seeing is Believing live New Zealand Tour to Christchurch tonight at the Horncastle Arena, with a matinee performance tomorrow. 

Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frayne, has "walked on water" across the river Thames, "levitated" above the Shard, walked down the outside of the LA Times building and apparently made a car appear from light beams.

His Magician Impossible TV series aired in over 180 territories worldwide. Here in New Zealand, the first series topped the audience viewing figures for 2013.  Dynamo's Seeing is Believing tour has performed 127 shows in over 10 countries. This is his first time in New Zealand. Bookings through Ticketek.

Join in the parade

The More FM Mata Riki KidsFest Parade starts from Cathedral Square.

Gather in Cathedral Square from 4.30pm  on Saturday then join in the parade (which starts at 5.30pm) with as many lights as you can find. Celebrate the 10th year of the More FM Mata Riki KidsFest Parade and Maori New Year with a night time journey through central Christchurch. 

This year's parade, which is the finale to KidsFest, follows a different route to previous years, moving from Cathedral Square down Worcester Boulevard before turning left into Cambridge Tce then into Cashel St and The Terraces around the Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct. 

If you pimp your pram, bring along a lantern you have made or don some wearable light art you'll be in to win some great spot prizes.

The parade ends on Oxford Tce between Lichfield and Hereford Streets where there will be a festival atmosphere with fire performers, the Takumi Japanese drummers, a Kids Disco and an amazing light show. 

Cathedral Square west of Colombo Street and along Worcester Boulevard to Cambridge Terrace will be closed to traffic from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Hereford Street Bridge will be closed to traffic for 10 to 15 minutes between 5.35pm and 5.50pm while the parade passes through, and Oxford Terrace between Lichfield and Hereford Street will also be closed to traffic between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

For information on the best places to park for this event, check out ccc.govt.nz/parking.

Caterpillar circus

Created and directed by internationally renowned Canterbury clown Thom Monckton, and performed by local circus company Circotica for KidsFest, Caterpillars creates a magical world of flitting butterflies, jumping eggs, and giant swaying flowers. Two lycra-clad clown puppeteers bring to life two enormous plump Caterpillars.

The hapless puppeteers take upbeat absurdity, slapstick, and silliness to new heights. Caterpillars won best theatre production and best costume awards at the Auckland Fringe Festival in 2015. Performances are held today and tomorrow at Papa Hou. Email bookings@circotica.com. The show is a collaboration between Circotica and Kallo Collective (Finland).

Scared Scriptless for kids

Tonight and tomorrow night are the last chances to catch Christchurch’s Court Jesters in The Early Early Late Show, riffing fast, funny, improvised comedy at the former Christchurch District Court on Durham St (the new Science Alive! building).

The team of performers encourage plenty of participation from junior members of the audience creating a show on the spot with your ideas and their wits. 

Brass and jazz

The Loyal Variety Show is performed by Stedfast Brass, the Jazzamatazz Choir and the Red and Black Jazz Band at the Salvation Army Citadel on Colombo St tomorrow night from 7.30pm. The jazz choir is led by Mary Ruston and backed by Jonathan Petty on keys. The concert features eclectic song choices and vocal arrangements with a playlist that covers pop songs, jazz standards, movie themes, brass band marches and old favourites.

The Red and Black Band has recently reformed with Kim Blackmore on trombone, Jim Cowlishaw on soprano sax, Ross MacDonald on banjo and Colin Eaton on sousaphone. Email rosebrian@xtra.co.nz or phone 03 359 9254 to reserve tickets, with purchases supporting the Christchurch City Mission.

Other events

To find out about other events happening in and around Christchurch, check out the events pages on the Council's website(external link) or download the ChChh Events app.