Events at the Botanic Gardens

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.

Annual events

The World Peace Bell Association 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.

Find out more about the New Zealand World Peace Bell.

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.

• All welcome - no booking needed (caregiver supervision is required).
• Tea and coffee are provided.
• Gold coin koha entry
• Runs during school term-time.

Enjoy gardening and nature-based activities with your preschooler.

More information is available on the Canterbury Horticultural Society Facebook page(external link).

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 that work with the environment.

Activities are available between 10am to 3pm every Saturday, even during the holidays.

• 10am to 3pm every Saturday at the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.
• Children who come regularly can record their learning in a special passbook available once they attend their second event.
• EnviroKids is also an accredited Children's University learning destination, so stamps are available for participating children's passports.

Find out more information about EnviroKids(external link) or keep up to date on the EnviroKids Facebook(external link). 

10.30am to 1.30pm on Thursdays.

Pop in for an environmental chat if you need inspiration or advice on anything from starting a new environmental project,  volunteer challenges,  funding advice for green projects, sustainability at home or waste and recycling processes.

The EnviroHub are here to help:

• An opportunity to join an ongoing conversation or have a one-on-one chat.
• Free, no bookings required.
• Drop into the Kiosk anytime between 10.30am and 1pm in the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.

Find more information about Environmental Chat(external link).

The Friends of the Botanic Gardens run a plant stall opposite the Kiosk. It is restocked daily, and available plants often change.

• All plants are just $7.
• Payment is either via cash in the donation box or EFTPOS at the Kiosk.
• Kiosk hours for EFTPOS payment are 10am to 4pm from September to April, and 10am to 3pm from May to August.
• Please bring your own bag to carry plants; the Kiosk does not have any available.

For more information about the varieties on offer, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com.

The Canterbury Horticultural Society(external link) host a number of paid workshops and classes during the year. These range from arts and crafts to practical horticultural and botanical skills, and include something for all ages.

Workshops and classes are held at The Kiosk, Te Māra Huaota o Waipapa Christchurch Botanic Gardens, just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park.

Contact 03 366 6937 or office@chsgardens.co.nz.

Become a member of the CHS(external link) and receive up to 30% off all our courses and workshops.

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens volunteer guides for free guided walks at the Botanic Gardens (October 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.

See the walk schedule.

Botanic Gardens guided walks

• October to April
• 1.30pm daily, lasting 45 to 90 minutes.
• Meet at the Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Mona Vale guided walks

• Selected dates throughout the year.
• 1.30pm, lasting approx. 90 minutes.
• Meet by the Mona Vale rose garden.

If you have any queries about guided walks at Mona Vale or the Botanic Gardens, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com.

Kia ora kids, whānau, and curious explorers!

Are you ready for an adventure full of colour, creativity and imagination? Step into the magical world of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, where art and nature come together in the most playful way. Discover awesome sculptures and creative surprises hidden among the trees and gardens.

Swing by the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre to pick up a freebooklet for our brand new permanent self-guided art trail aimed at children (and the young at heart)!

You can do the trail in one go if you have a few hours, or tick off a new artwork every time you visit.

The Friends of the Botanic Gardens warmly invite you to their monthly speakers series.

Stay tuned for next month's speaker!

• 4pm, date TBC. Afternoon tea from 3.30pm
• $5 for CHS and Friends' members
• $10 for non-members
• No bookings required.

Talks take place in the Kiosk at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The Kiosk is near the children's playground and is one of the first buildings you come across when entering via the Armagh Street car parking entrance.

To get involved in volunteering in the Botanic Gardens, join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens(external link).