Join us for one of our upcoming events at the Gardens. We look forward to seeing you!
Stay up to date with Botanic Gardens events and seasonal highlights on Facebook(external link).
Download a map of the Botanic Gardens [PDF, 2.2 MB] showing all event locations.
Throughout the year
You are invited to join a number of events throughout the year at the New Zealand World Peace Bell located in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Celebrate, commemorate and have a go at ringing the bell.
Event | Date |
UN Holocaust Memorial Day | 27 January |
Christchurch Earthquake Memorial | 22 February |
Tōhoku Japan Tsunami and Earthquake Day | 11 March |
Christchurch Mosque Memorial | 15 March |
UN International Bicycle Day | 3 June |
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance | 7 August |
UN International Day of Peace | 21 September |
UN International Malala Day for Girl's Education | 10 November |
CHC Peace Bell Open Day | Second Sunday in December |
Joya-no-kane 108 Bells | 31 December |
The World Peace Bell Association(external link) organises all of the above ceremonies with the exception of UN Holocaust Memorial Day, Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance and Joya-no-kane 108 Bells.
Sometimes new events are added so please check back for commemorations of interest.
10am to 11.30am, Mondays during the school term
Calling all parents, grandparents and caregivers! Bring your preschool-aged tamariki into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to enjoy a simple craft or plant-based activity with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.
Stories, toys and colouring-in are available too.
Enjoy gardening and nature-based activities with your preschooler.
More information is available on the Canterbury Horticultural Society Facebook page(external link).
10am to 3pm, Saturdays
Envirokids is a chance to connect kiwi kids to our environmental community and it's free!
Every Saturday, the Envirohub(external link) will have activities for kids inspired by the mahi (work) of different organisations who work with the environment. Activities available between 10am-3pm every Saturday (even in the holidays!).
Find out more information about EnviroKids(external link) or keep up to date on the EnviroKids Facebook(external link).
10.30am to 1.30pm, Thursdays
Find more information about Environmental Chat(external link).
Throughout the year
Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens volunteer guides for free guided walks at the Botanic Gardens (November to April) and Mona Vale Gardens (year-round). Pick and choose from a wonderful selection of topics or come along to all of them for a dose of exercise, beautiful displays, and education rolled into one.
If you have any queries about guided walks at Mona Vale or the Botanic Gardens, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com
4pm, last Sunday of the month
Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens for their monthly talk and afternoon tea!
Join Dr Don Jellyman, a leading freshwater fisheries scientist from NIWA.
Don will speak about the native and introduced fish we might see in Christchurch waterways with a special focus on tuna-longfin eel, īnanga, and lamprey, as well as the brown trout that are often spotted by visitors to the Gardens.
When: 4pm, Sunday 17 September
For more information about the talks, please visit the Friends of the Botanic Gardens website(external link) or email friendsofthegardens@gmail.com.
10am to 3pm, 23 September to 8 October
Travel back in time and solve puzzles at five of the city's favourite places!
Dinosaurs, tuatara, ancient Greek heroes and Egyptian hieroglyphics are just some of the amazing things you'll discover as you journey through time to discover the past.
The trail takes place at five locations – the Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum (currently located in the CoCA Gallery on Gloucester Street), Teece Museum and Tūranga. You can do all five in one day or spread the fun over the whole holidays.
Collect a free trail booklet from any of the five locations and make sure to get a stamp from each venue when you've finished the activities.
Ki te hoe! Let's get going!
11am to midday, Saturday 7 October
Join Botanic Gardens Curator Louise Young and Curator's House Head Chef Vikki Liptrot to learn about the traditional and modern ways to achieve soil health in your vege garden.
Louise, a Collection Curator for 23 years, will introduce the Curator's Garden, established as a fruit and vegetable demonstration garden and open book for learning.
Louise will talk about the garden's concept, heritage and her learnings over the decades. Joined by Vikki, they will then share learnings about returning to traditional methods of soil enhancement complemented by the use of scientific technology.
Topics will include prepping soil to the Maramataka moon calendar, testing soil prior to fertilising, and using probes before irrigating, followed by a composting demonstration.
To get involved in volunteering in the Botanic Gardens, join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens(external link).