An annual festival held in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to celebrate the heritage of our district.

The festival sits as part of the Christchurch City Council’s Our Heritage, Our Taonga Heritage Strategy 2019–2029 He tātai muka, He tātai tangata – Weave together the strands, Weave together the people.

Connections

Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026, Friday 16 to Monday 26 October (Labour Day) 2026.

We welcome new and returning event providers to be part of the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026 programme. Applications will be open here from mid-May to mid-June 2026.

 If you have any queries regarding the Heritage Festival or would like to be added to our mailing list for direct updates, please email heritage@ccc.govt.nz.

 We look forward to working together with event providers to produce the festival this year.

The theme this year developed from anniversaries relating to the expansion of infrastructure and communications in the city of Ōtautahi-Christchurch and the Waitaha-Canterbury region, the change and development brought about by wider connections.

The place we live in continues to change and the connections we make shape our future. Through sharing our stories, we better understand our environment, the landscape, the people and the place.

Please note that while festival events may draw on anniversaries or the theme, this is optional.

Before applying

Please read:

Health and safety plan

This should be completed first and attached to your online application. You may submit an existing plan, use your own template or use the template provided below.

To apply to run an event in the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026 you need to:

  • Complete the online application form – available here from 8 May to 16 June 2026. 
  • Complete your Health and Safety plan. Attach this to your online application.
  • Please note: Christchurch Heritage Festival community grants are no longer available.

If you have any queries about the application process or would like to discuss your idea for an event please get in touch at heritage@ccc.govt.nz.