What's On
Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai.
Welcome to our summer guide of family-friendly activities.
Whether you want quiet time or have energy to burn, there’s loads of (mostly) free stuff to do at our Ashburton District Council facilities.
Don’t forget our beautiful outdoor spaces to explore. Relax on our forest bathers in the Ashburton Domain, or bike around Lake Hood. From skateparks to gardens and walking tracks to playgrounds, there’s something for everyone to do in Mid Canterbury.
For more inspiration of what to do across the District, head to Mid Canterbury NZ website.
You can grab a booklet from any of our facilities (Ashburton Library, EA Networks Centre or Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum), download a digital version here or browse our online event listings below.
Cultural Awareness Talk | Afghanistan
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
17 February 2026 12:00 pm
In this Cultural Awareness session, you will learn about Afghan culture and discuss basic social protocols to help you interact with clients, whānau, and friends....
View Event
ANZ Business of The Year Awards 2026
Ashburton District Council
20 February 2026 06:00 pm
The ANZ Business of The Year Awards for the Ashburton District endeavour to celebrate excellence in business and promote our region as a great place...
View Event
Gardening Conversation Hour
Ashburton Library
18 February 2026 01:30 pm
Connecting Mid Canterbury and the Library are hosting a Gardening Conversation Hour in the Ashburton Lakes Room. This group is held on the...
View Event
Summer in Love Wearable Arts
Ashburton Library
1 February 2026 - 12 February 2026
Enter the world of wearable art this summer by creating your own bridal bouquet, veil, hat, or garment inspired by the Dearly Beloved exhibit at...
View Event
Digi coaches
Ashburton Library
13 February 2026 01:00 pm - 03:00 pm
Need help with your phone, tablet, laptop, or other digital devices? Our friendly Digi Coaches are here to assist! Whether it's setting up an app,...
View Event
Peregrination: A Sub Antarctic Odyssey | Kathy Reilly
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 February 2026 - 15 February 2026
In the summer of 2021, Tasman-based printmaker Kathy Reilly travelled to the Subantarctic islands on a research expedition. Peregrination: A Sub Antarctic Odyssey explores the...
View Event
Duologue | Inge and Marc Doesburg
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 February 2026 - 15 February 2026
Duologue is a collaborative exhibition by Ōtepoti Dunedin-based artists Inge and Marc Doesburg. Their practices are shaped by their similar cultural backgrounds. Inge is a...
View Event
Workshop | Treasured Threads
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
15 February 2026 01:00 pm - 03:00 pm
At this practical workshop, learn how to protect and preserve your special garments for future generations.Bring along a special garment such as a wedding dress,...
View Event
Book Club
Ashburton Library
17 February 2026 01:30 pm - 02:30 pm
Our welcoming book club meets once a month to enjoy a cuppa and a chat about the books they’ve read. Be the first to read...
View Event
BookTok Book Club
Ashburton Library
17 February 2026 06:00 pm - 07:30 pm
BookTok Book ClubNew this month! Come along to an evening of chatting about the popular books on BookTok and Bookstagram, and be the first to...
View Event
Contemporary Printmaking of Aotearoa: A Kōrero of Thoughts and Ideas | Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 February 2026 - 22 February 2026
Contemporary Printmaking of Aotearoa: A Kōrero of Thoughts and Ideas is an exhibition of works by members of the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand.Within the...
View Event
Gambling Harm Support Group
Ashburton Library
26 February 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free Gambling Harm Support – AshburtonPGF ServicesStruggling with gambling, or affected by someone else’s gambling? You’re not alone — and support is free.PGF Services...
View Event
Dearly Beloved | 100 Years of the Wedding Dress
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 February 2026 - 8 March 2026
This exhibition features a selection of bridal wear from our collection, representing wedding fashion from the late 1800s and through the twentieth century. Discover the...
View Event
Active Adventures
EA Networks Centre
4 February 2026 - 1 April 2026
Term 1 2026: 4 & 18 Feb, 4 & 18 March, 1 April
10.30am-12.30pm
A child led, parent supervised session for toddlers age 1-5 to play and explore their gross motor skills using a range of soft play equipment...
View Event
Little Splashers
EA Networks Centre
13 February 2026 - 18 December 2026
Little Splashers is held every Friday from 9.50am-10.20am during the school term
Join us for Little Splashers- a session where you and your Little Splasher have the opportunity to explore the world of water in a parent...
View Event
Sand Court
EA Networks Centre
1 February 2026 - 31 December 2026
All day, everyday!Serve, spike and have fun this summer. The outdoor sand volleyball court at EANC is open for everyone to enjoy and totally free.Grab...
View Event
Mini Mid Canterbury
EA Networks Centre
1 February 2026 - 31 December 2026
All day, everyday!Tee off on a big (but little) adventure at Mini Mid Canterbury! Our brand new 18-hole mini golf course features miniature versions of...
View Event
Opening | Documenting our Heritage
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
21 March 2026 05:30 pm
Join us for the opening and awards ceremony for our new exhibition, Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury.Over the summer, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere...
View Event
Live on the Lawn 2026
Ashburton District Council
28 March 2026 11:00 am
Grab your picnic blanket and soak up the sounds of Mid Canterbury’s finest musicians in the beautiful Ashburton Domain!Celebrate homegrown talent and autumn vibes with...
View Event
Card making with die cuts
Ashburton Library
2 March 2026 10:00 am
Come along and create beautiful cards and gift tags under the guidance of experienced die cutter Diane.These sessions are held on the first...
View Event
The Boy with Wings
Ashburton Library
22 March 2026 01:00 pm
A comic, touching, and environmental story using the ageless wonder of...
View Event
Zonta Ashburton Women's Art Awards 2026
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
7 March 2026 - 19 April 2026
Back for its tenth year, the Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards exhibition for 2026 will be open from 07 March!ZAWAA seeks to raise the status...
View Event
Botanical Correspondents: Crossing time with Julia Holderness and Emily Cumming Harris
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
7 March 2026 - 19 April 2026
In this exhibition, ZAWAA25 Premier Award winner Julia Holderness considers and responds to the work of Emily Harris, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s...
View Event
Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
22 March 2026 - 17 May 2026
The diverse and beautiful Mid & South Canterbury regions are home to 223 entries on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero.Over the summer, Heritage New...
View Event
In Plain Site: Memorials and their Stories
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
21 March 2026 - 24 May 2026
From traditional monuments to functional buildings, and even living trees, public memorials take many shapes and forms. In Whakatere Ashburton many commemorate wartime sacrifice, while...
View Event
The Word Witch - Flights of Fancy
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
7 March 2026 - 23 August 2026
Margaret Mahy ONZ (1936-2012) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best-loved young person’s authors; a literary hero to generations of young Kiwi. Published...
View Event
