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 hardcopy of the booklet from all our facilities (Library, EANC, Art Gallary and Museum, etc), or check out the digital version here.
Botanical Art Worldwide 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 November 2025 - 7 December 2025
Tātou Tipu O Mua – O Ināianei Me Te ĀpōpōOur Plants – Past, Present and FutureBotanical Art Worldwide 2025...
View Event
Clay Fever | Hakatere Ceramics
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
1 November 2025 - 30 November 2025
Clay Fever is the exhibition of the Hakatere Ceramics and Pottery Club. The show opens with an awards evening on Wednesday...
View Event
JPs available
Ashburton Library
1 November 2025 - 31 December 2025
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...
View Event
Little Splashers
EA Networks Centre
1 November 2025 - 19 December 2025
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
Active Adventures
EA Networks Centre
1 November 2025 - 10 December 2025
Term 4 Dates: 15 & 29 Oct, 12 & 26 Nov,10 Dec.
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
Operation Grapple: We Were There
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
2 November 2025 - 23 November 2025
In 1957/58 the British Government conducted a series of nuclear weapons tests at Christmas Island and Malden Island in the mid-Pacific Ocean. This series of...
View Event
Consider the Flowers | Margaret Trolove
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
5 November 2025 - 30 November 2025
This exhibition is a celebration of the art of Margaret Trolove (1925-2025), a long-standing member of Whakatere Ashburton’s artistic community. Margaret was a valued member...
View Event
Steady As You Go
Ashburton Library
5 November 2025 - 25 November 2025
01:30 pm - 01:30 pmSteady 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...
View Event
Spinning Get Together
Ashburton Library
5 November 2025 - 25 November 2025
05:45 pm - 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...
View Event
Juicy Summer Reading Challenge
Ashburton Library
21 November 2025 - 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...
View Event
Sand Court
EA Networks Centre
21 November 2025 - 1 January 1970
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
22 November 2025
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
Wikipedia Photo Day with Dr. Mike Dickison
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
23 November 2025 10:00 am - 04:00 pm
Wikipedia takes all its photos from an open image library, Wikimedia Commons. WikiCommons has 117 million freely usable photos, drawings, sound files, and video clips,...
View Event
Brain Injury Support Group
Ashburton Library
25 November 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...
View Event
Kids Night Out!
EA Networks Centre
28 November 2025 04:00 pm - 07:30 pm
Looking for well-deserved night off? Let us look after the Kids! It will be an evening of fun with capture the flag, quizzes, nerf wars,...
View Event
Light up the Night 2025
Ashburton District Council
29 November 2025 06:00 pm
Welcome in the festive season with our free Christmas celebration!Bring your friends, bring your family and join MC Luke Howden in Baring Square East for...
View Event
Workshop | Nature Drawing with Graphite Powder
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
30 November 2025 11:00 am - 01:00 pm
Learn how to make a botanical drawing using graphite powder at this special workshop with Katharine Allard!First, we will find inspiration in the Botanical Art...
View Event
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...
View Event
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...
View Event
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...
View Event
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...
View Event
Explore Printmaking | Block Printing
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
14 January 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for the first session in our Explore Printmaking series of workshops! In this workshop we will make...
View Event
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...
View Event
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...
View Event
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...
View Event
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...
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
Teen Create spot
Ashburton Library
1 December 2025 - 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...
View Event
Retro T-shirt Screen Printing
Ashburton Library
1 December 2025 - 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...
View Event
Card making with die cuts
Ashburton Library
1 December 2025 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
Design and Print for Young Adults
Ashburton Library
2 December 2025 - 12 January 2026
For teens aged 13-18Create your own custom artwork on our iPads with our easy-to-use drawing software. Then print your design as a sticker or vinyl...
View Event
Monochrome Photo Creation for Young Adults
Ashburton Library
3 December 2025 - 9 January 2026
For teens aged 13-18Get creative this summer! Learn how to use apps on our iPads or your own smartphone to create a summer-inspired photo with...
View Event
Summer in Love Wearable Arts
Ashburton Library
4 December 2025 - 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
Christmas I-Spy
Ashburton Library
10 December 2025 - 21 January 2026
Can you find all 10 hidden items in our Christmas themed I-Spy display in the children's library?
View Event
Summer Reading Challenge for Kids
Ashburton Library
10 December 2025 - 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...
View Event
Women’s Swim Night
EA Networks Centre
10 December 2025 07:00 pm - 08:30 pm
Whether 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...
View Event
Festive Photo Frame
Ashburton Library
11 December 2025 - 24 December 2025
Ready to take an 'elfie'? Craft a fun and festive Christmas photo frame then strike a pose and capture the magic with our Instax camera.
View Event
Opening | Dearly Beloved
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
13 December 2025 06:00 pm
Join us for the opening of Dearly Beloved | 100 Years of the Wedding Dress!This exhibition features a selection of bridal wear from our collection,...
View Event
Opening | Kathy Reilly, Inge and Marc Doesburg, Print Council Aotearoa
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
13 December 2025 06:00 pm
Join us for the opening of our three new summer exhibitions!Kathy Reilly's solo exhibition Peregination: A Sub Antarctic Odyssey explores her Subantarctic research expedition through...
View Event
Dearly Beloved | 100 Years of the Wedding Dress
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
14 December 2025 - 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
Peregrination: A Sub Antarctic Odyssey | Kathy Reilly
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
14 December 2025 - 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
14 December 2025 - 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
Contemporary Printmaking of Aotearoa: A Kōrero of Thoughts and Ideas | Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
14 December 2025 - 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
Christmas Wriggle and Read
Ashburton Library
16 December 2025 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Join us for a special festive session filled with Christmas songs, rhymes, and bubbles!Come dressed in your Christmas outfits and get a free Instax photo...
View Event
Holiday Decorations | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
17 December 2025 - 24 December 2025
Get creative at our holiday craft station! Use a variety of fun tools and techniques to make a holiday themed decoration to take home.Free |...
View Event
Capture Magic Moments | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
17 December 2025 - 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...
View Event
EANC Holiday Programme - December
EA Networks Centre
18 December 2025 - 24 December 2025
Need fully-supervised childcare for your under-13 school-aged child? Book in for games, sports, crafts, swimming and more!Prices (per session): Day (8am-3pm) $40, Full day (8am-5pm)...
View Event
Christmas Storytime
Ashburton Library
18 December 2025 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Join us for a special storytime full of fun Christmas stories and action songs. Perfect for little ones to sing, move, and laugh along!
View Event
Creative Christmas Cards
Ashburton Library
19 December 2025 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Forget boring shop-bought cards, yawn!Get crafty and turn your Christmas greetings into a very merry masterpiece with our festive stencil designs.
View Event
Christmas Family Movie
Ashburton Library
20 December 2025 01:30 pm
Laughter, magic, and a little bit of mischief await!Gather the family, bring your popcorn and experience the festive fun on the big screen in our...
View Event
Monochrome Photo Creation for Kids
Ashburton Library
22 December 2025 - 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...
View Event
Clay Christmas Ornaments
Ashburton Library
22 December 2025 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Adorn your Christmas tree with your own creativity!Shape and decorate Christmas ornaments to take home with our air-dry clay. No baking required.
View Event
Design and Print for Kids
Ashburton Library
23 December 2025 - 15 January 2026
Get ready to make your own awesome designs! use our super-easy iPad drawing apps to create your artwork, then turn it into a sticker or...
View Event
Christmas Stained Glass Craft
Ashburton Library
23 December 2025 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Make colourful Christmas themed stained glass art to hang in your window to help spread that Christmas cheer.
View Event
Design a Love Bird | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
27 December 2025 - 11 January 2026
Many types of birds are symbols of love. With our exhibition Dearly Beloved running through the summer for inspiration, come design and make 3D card...
View Event
New Year Wishes | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
27 December 2025 - 4 January 2026
Using a range of calligraphy pens and stamps, create a beautiful wish list artwork for the new year.Free | Drop-in | 10am - 4pm daily
View Event
Spinning Around | Summer Holidays 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
27 December 2025 - 11 January 2026
Did you know that spintops are among the oldest toys ever discovered by archaeologists? Discover the super-old spinning top in the museum collection, and then...
View Event
Creative Crafting
Ashburton Library
29 December 2025 - 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...
View Event