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.
Light up the Night 2026
Ashburton District Council
28 November 2026 06:00 pm
Welcome in the festive season with our free Christmas celebration!Bring your friends, bring your family and join us in Baring Square East for an evening...
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Glow in the Park 2026
Ashburton District Council
29 May 2026 - 31 May 2026
King's Birthday Weekend
This popular family event returns this King’s Birthday weekend, 29-31 May.Immerse yourself in an explosion of colour and artistry as you explore the beautifully lit...
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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...
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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...
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Capture Magic Moments | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 January 2026 - 31 January 2026
View our show Dearly Beloved for inspiration and then delve into our box of costumes and props. Get dressed, strike a pose and make magic...
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Dearly Beloved | 100 Years of the Wedding Dress
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 January 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...
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Peregrination: A Sub Antarctic Odyssey | Kathy Reilly
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 January 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...
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Duologue | Inge and Marc Doesburg
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 January 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...
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Contemporary Printmaking of Aotearoa: A Kōrero of Thoughts and Ideas | Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 January 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...
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The Great Santa Hunt 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 January 2026 - 31 January 2026
Late Night: Wednesday 17 December, 5pm - 7pm
Where oh where can they be? The Santa Hunt is back, with a twist!Starting at Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum on December 17, join...
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Juicy Summer Reading Challenge
Ashburton Library
1 January 2026 - 21 January 2026
Our teen summer reading challenge has never been sweeter!Is there anything better on a hot summer's day than an ice-cold Juicy?Well, score one for FREE...
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Teen Create spot
Ashburton Library
1 January 2026 - 31 January 2026
Drop by the Young Adult area of the library this summer to check out our Create Spot!The activity changes every few days, so there's always...
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Retro T-shirt Screen Printing
Ashburton Library
1 January 2026 - 29 January 2026
For teens aged 13-18Rock a unique style this summer!Pick from four retro designs and screen-print it onto a T-shirt, then use our fabric paints to...
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Summer Reading Challenge for Kids
Ashburton Library
1 January 2026 - 21 January 2026
Brave adventurer, we need you!Read 20 library books over the summer holidays to unlock imaginaria and go into the draw for one of 10 great...
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Monochrome Photo Creation for Kids
Ashburton Library
1 January 2026 - 26 January 2026
Come along and create a fun summer inspired photo with our iPads or your own smartphone.You'll learn how to use some cool apps and get...
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Creative Crafting
Ashburton Library
1 January 2026 - 1 February 2026
If you can imagine it, we can help you craft it!Visit the Makerspace these holidays and bring your ideas to life at our creative craft...
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Summer in Love Wearable Arts
Ashburton Library
1 January 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...
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Sand Court
EA Networks Centre
1 January 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...
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Mini Mid Canterbury
EA Networks Centre
1 January 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...
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Cake Construction | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
5 January 2026 - 31 January 2026
It's wedding season! Our show Dearly Beloved is on over January and so we're celebrating by building a mountain... of cake! Using card and other...
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EANC Holiday Programme - January
EA Networks Centre
5 January 2026 - 30 January 2026
08:30 am - 05:00 pmNeed fully-supervised childcare for your under-13 school-aged child during the school holidays?Book in for games, sports, field trips, crafts and more!Tamariki/children aged 5 - 13...
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JPs available
Ashburton Library
9 January 2026 - 30 January 2026
This is a drop in session every Tuesday and Friday between 12pm - 2pm.
We now have JPs coming to the library every Tuesday and Friday between 12pm - 2pm.A Justice of the Peace (JP) is a volunteer who...
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Active Adventures - School Holiday Pop-Ups
EA Networks Centre
10 January 2026 - 21 January 2026
Join us for exploration play for toddlers!A space for toddlers and parents to come and play with a variety of sensory & building toys, balance...
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Pawtraits | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
12 January 2026 - 25 January 2026
Artists often enjoy painting their loved ones, and that includes their pets!Visit the Art Gallery to get inspired, then make your own purr-fectly whimsical animal...
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Design a Holiday Wardrobe | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
19 January 2026 - 1 February 2026
Our exhibition Dearly Beloved is all about weddings and after their big day, people often travel to wonderful places for their honeymoon!Where is your dream...
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Explore Printmaking | Intaglio Print
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
21 January 2026 10:30 am - 10:30 am
Join us for the second session in our Explore Printmaking series of workshops!Drypoint...
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Steady As You Go
Ashburton Library
21 January 2026 01:30 pm - 01:30 pm
Steady As You Go© (SAYGo) is Age Concern’s peer-led exercise initiative designed to help older people reduce their likelihood of having a fall.The exercises are...
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Gardening Conversation Hour
Ashburton Library
21 January 2026 - 1 January 1970
01:30 pmConnecting Mid Canterbury and the Library are hosting a Gardening Conversation Hour in the Ashburton Lakes Room. This group is held on the...
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Spinning Get Together
Ashburton Library
21 January 2026 05:45 pm - 05:45 pm
Spinner get together. Join us in the Event Space to spin yarn and a few tales.Bring your own wheel or use one supplied by Ashburton...
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RAD Reboot
Ashburton Library
22 January 2026 12:00 pm - 04:00 pm
RAD is all about getting techy teens into an environment with likeminded people where they can get hands on experience in repairing...
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Pool Party & Movie
EA Networks Centre
24 January 2026 02:00 pm - 05:00 pm
Come cool down and party it up at the EA Networks Centre! We will have a film showing on our big LED screen in the...
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Explore Printmaking | Mixed Media
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
28 January 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for the third session in our Explore Printmaking series of workshops!We...
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Brain Injury Support Group
Ashburton Library
28 January 2026 10:30 am - 10:30 am
Are you or someone you know living with or supporting someone with a head injury? Facilitated by the Brain Injury Association, this monthly group...
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Heritage Talk | Jane Malthus
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 February 2026 11:00 am
In western fashion, the white wedding dress came into vogue with Queen Victoria. For various reasons, though, brides have chosen to wear other colours.At this...
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Card making with die cuts
Ashburton Library
2 February 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...
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Sahaja Yoga Meditation
Ashburton Library
5 February 2026 06:45 pm
Ongoing FREE Meditation Classes.Experience the peace of true meditation!Every Thursday, between 6.45pm -7.45pm, at Ashburton Library.For queries...
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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,...
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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....
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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...
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