What's On
Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai.
Welcome to our winter 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.
Check out our Matariki viewing platform near the Rakaia Gorge or discover what other exciting things Mid Canterbury has to offer this winter.
For more inspiration of what to do across the Ashburton District, head to Mid Canterbury NZ website.
You can grab a hardcopy of the booklet from all our facilities (Library, EANC, Art Gallary and Museum, etc), or check out the digital version here 👉
Exhibition | SS Ventnor
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
2 August 2025 - 2 November 2025
In this exhibition, explore the story of the SS Ventnor, which sank off Hokianga Harbour in 1902 carrying the remains of nearly 500 Chinese goldminers...
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SS Ventnor Talk | Hannah King
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
2 August 2025 02:00 pm
Hannah is a member of the Ng/Wu whānau, descendants of Ng Jor Ching, whose kōiwi—headed for reburial in China—were on board the SS Ventnor when...
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SS Ventnor Talk | Keith Gordon
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
3 August 2025 02:00 pm
In 2013, the wreck of the SS Ventnor was discovered off the North Island coast, sparking major international media interest and controversy. The ship had...
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Before Black and White there was Colour | Bobby Kurb
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
9 August 2025 - 21 September 2025
In Before Black and White there was Colour, Ashburton-based artist Bobby Kurb explores the complexity and contradiction of today’s society. Street art, graffiti, and pop...
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Kura Pounamu: Our Treasured Stone
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
17 August 2025 - 7 October 2025
Kura Pounamu is an exhibition presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu featuring more than 200...
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The Same Coin | Chloe Summerhayes and Sam Walker
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
17 August 2025 - 19 October 2025
In late 2022, Chloe Summerhayes and Sam Walker, as friends and parties to a contract, began an exchange of what they considered ‘failed’...
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Small Paintings Dedicated to Big Names | Nadia Curnow
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 July 2025 - 3 August 2025
In this exhibition, Nadia Curnow draws inspiration from an international canon of art history, combining artistic influences from a wide range of ‘big...
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Puaka Matariki: I Tō Mātou Wāhi, In Our Place
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 July 2025 - 27 July 2025
Puaka and Matariki hold great significance for Māori, marking the beginning of the Māori New Year as these special whetū first appear in the midwinter...
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Caught in the Moment: Guardian Photographs of 1975
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 July 2025 - 14 September 2025
What moments in time did the Ashburton Guardian photographers capture around Whakatere Ashburton throughout 1975? In this exhibition, photographs from our large collection of Guardian...
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Women’s Swim Night
EA Networks Centre
1 July 2025 - 10 December 2025
07:00 pm - 08:30 pmWhether you want to come for a soak, do some lengths or spend time with your children, we have something for you.$5 per adult (special...
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Citizens Advice Bureau Drop In
Ashburton Library
2 July 2025 - 30 July 2025
05:15 pm - 05:15 pmDo you have a problem or a question about your rights or obligations? Then drop in to the CAB session at Ashburton Library on Wednesday...
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Sahaja Yoga Meditation
Ashburton Library
3 July 2025 - 31 July 2025
06:45 pm - 06:45 pmOngoing 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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Ashburton Society of Arts 61st Annual Exhibition
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
8 July 2025 - 1 August 2025
The Ashburton Society of Arts (ASA) Annual Exhibition returns to the Gallery this July for its 61st incarnation. This exhibition is a visual...
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Laser cutter class
Ashburton Library
9 July 2025 - 30 July 2025
10:00 am - 10:00 amInterested in mastering the laser cutter and bringing your own projects to life but unsure where to begin? This class is perfect for you!Join this...
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Maker Space Open Session
Ashburton Library
9 July 2025 - 30 July 2025
05:30 pm - 05:30 pmAlready taken one of our classes on the Laser Cutter or Vinyl Cutter and eager to start your own...
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Vinyl cutter/printer class
Ashburton Library
10 July 2025 - 31 July 2025
05:30 pm - 05:30 pmReady to create your own stickers or custom garment prints but...
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Gardening Conversation Hour
Ashburton Library
16 July 2025 - 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
16 July 2025 - 1 January 1970
05:45 pmSpinner 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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New Zealand Sign Language Class
Ashburton Library
16 July 2025 06:00 pm - 07:30 pm
Are you curious about New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)?Would you like to learn NZSL?Term 3 Beginner classes start Wednesday...
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3D Printing 101
Ashburton Library
17 July 2025 - 31 July 2025
03:00 pm - 03:00 pm3D Printing 101 – Learn the Basics of 3D PrintingCurious about 3D printing?This beginner-friendly session will introduce you to how 3D printers...
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Social sewing/quilting group
Ashburton Library
19 July 2025 10:00 am - 04:00 pm
Bring your sewing machine, quilt, or other sewing project along to this group.With some experienced seamstresses in the group, you will...
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Artist Talk | Nadia Curnow
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
20 July 2025 02:00 pm
At this special artist talk, Nadia Curnow will discuss her new exhibition Small Paintings Dedicated to Big Names. In this exhibition, Nadia draws inspiration from...
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Brain Injury Support Group
Ashburton Library
30 July 2025 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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Light up the Night 2025
Ashburton District Council
29 November 2025
Ashburton kicks off the season of Christmas festivities with Light up the Night. Join us for a night of food, fun and the jolly man...
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Hakatere Noodle Festival 2025
Ashburton District Council
13 September 2025
From 5pm
The Hakatere Noodle Festival is back with more yummy dishes and free entertainment.
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Artist Talks | Bobby Kurb, Chloe Summerhayes, and Sam Walker
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
14 September 2025 02:00 pm
Join us for three artist talks featuring Bobby Kurb, Chloe Summerhayes and Sam Walker.Bobby will discuss his new exhibition Before Black and White there was...
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Operation Grapple Talk | Denise Baynham
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
20 September 2025 10:30 am
In Operation Grapple, portraits of 19 New Zealand nuclear test veterans tell the story of this little-known chapter in New Zealand history of nuclear testing...
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