What's On
Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai.
Welcome to our autumn guide of family-friendly activities.
There’s plenty of indoor fun planned as the days get shorter and leaves fall off the trees. Some of the activities at our Council facilities over the April school holidays have an autumn theme, and others are about keeping active and warm!
Many of the activities are free, so go ahead and find ways to have fun with your whanau. Breathe in the crispy morning air and add a little play to your day outside by jumping into a pile of crunchy, fallen leaves!
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.
For more inspiration of what to do across the District, head to Mid Canterbury NZ website.
Opening | Documenting our Heritage
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
21 March 2026 - 1 January 1970
05:30 pmJoin us for the opening and awards ceremony for our new exhibition, Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury.Over the summer, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere...
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Artist Talk | Julia Holderness
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
29 March 2026 11:00 am
At this artist talk, Julia will discuss her new show Botanical Correspondents: Crossing Time with Emily Harris and Julia Holderness. Emily Harris (1837-1925) is best-known for painting...
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Artist Workshop | Botanical Watercolour with Julia Holderness
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
29 March 2026 12:00 pm
Join us for a special workshop with artist Julia Holderness!Learn some watercolour painting techniques, and then have the chance to paint a botanical study or...
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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 in the beautiful Ashburton Domain!🎸🍂 Celebrate homegrown talent and autumn vibes with a...
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Social sewing/quilting group
Ashburton Library
21 March 2026 - 1 January 1970
10:00 amBring 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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The Boy with Wings - FREE puppet show
Ashburton Library
22 March 2026 01:00 pm
A comic, touching, and environmental story using the ageless wonder of...
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Brain Injury Support Group
Ashburton Library
25 March 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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Steady As You Go
Ashburton Library
1 March 2026 - 25 March 2026
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...
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Shut Up and Write Evenings
Ashburton Library
1 March 2026 - 25 March 2026
06:00 pm - 06:00 pm"Shut Up and Write" evenings are for anyone who has writing to do, or a project that can be done in silence.These are...
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3D Printing 101
Ashburton Library
1 March 2026 - 26 March 2026
03:00 pm - 04:00 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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English language drop in
Ashburton Library
1 March 2026 - 27 March 2026
09:00 am - 09:00 amCome to Te Kete Tuhinga Ashburton Library on Friday mornings for practice in English with Jeane, a trained, retired teacher.Every Friday at 9amWould...
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Active Adventures
EA Networks Centre
4 March 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...
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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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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Witching Words: A Poetry Competition
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
7 March 2026 - 23 August 2026
Witching Words: A Poetry Competition invites visitors of all ages to step into a world where language shimmers and imagination leads the way. Inspired by...
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Little Splashers
EA Networks Centre
1 March 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...
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Sand Court
EA Networks Centre
1 March 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 March 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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Memorials Walking Tour – Lunchtime Special
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
15 April 2026 12:00 pm
As part of our 'In Plain Site: Memorials and their Stories' exhibition, join us for a special lunchtime walking tour exploring some of the historic...
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Cultural Awareness Talk | Fiji
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
21 April 2026 12:00 pm
In this Cultural Awareness session, you will learn about Fijian culture and discuss basic social protocols to help you interact with clients, whānau, and friends....
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Heritage Talk | Brothers in Arms
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
25 April 2026 01:00 pm
Join us for an interesting ANZAC Day talk by Social History Curator Louisa Hormann and Archivist Connor Lysaght, who will delve into a collection of...
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School Holidays | Egg-static
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
4 April 2026 - 6 April 2026
Using our lasercut egg shapes, create decorations to celebrate this Easter holiday period.
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Dragon Mask Creation
Ashburton Library
7 April 2026 10:00 am - 01:00 pm
Rangitahi/young adults, ages 12-18Ready to unleash your inner dragon?Come and craft an epic dragon mask with a design from Cardboard Adventures. make it fierce, make...
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Shadow Lanterns
Ashburton Library
8 April 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Tamariki/children, ages 5-12Create your very own magical autumn shadow lantern using a glass jar! Watch your designs glow to life and take home a cosy...
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Marionette Birds
Ashburton Library
9 April 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Preteen activity (9-12 years)Get hands-on in the Makerspace and design your own quirk, colourful marionette bird. Anna will guide you through creating something fun, feathery,...
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Bombs Away | School Holidays
EA Networks Centre
7 April 2026 - 9 April 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pmThe bombing platform will be out and ready for you to display your awesome bombing skills. Participants must be able to swim a full length...
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Finger Puppets
Ashburton Library
10 April 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Tamariki/children, ages 5-12Let your imagination wiggle! Decorate your own finger puppets, then make them dance, act, and explore!
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Big Fish Puppet
Ashburton Library
10 April 2026 10:00 am - 01:00 pm
Rangitahi/young adults, ages 12-18Make a fish that actually moves!Using a design from Cardboard Adventures, you'll build a kinetic cardboard fish puppet that's full of personality....
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Pay to Play
EA Networks Centre
10 April 2026 11:00 am - 03:00 pm
Did you know we have a wide range of sports you can play at the EA Networks Centre? Come along on Friday 10th April anytime...
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School Holidays | Fantastical Friends
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
4 April 2026 - 12 April 2026
Take inspiration from David Elliot's illustrations in 'The Word Witch – Flights of Fancy' and the words found on the whimsical leaf hunt to create...
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Leaf Hog Craft
Ashburton Library
13 April 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Tamariki/children, ages 5-12Turn cardboard and autumn leaves into your very own hedgehog-inspired creature! Cute, quirky, and totally fun.
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Active Adventures | School Holidays
EA Networks Centre
13 April 2026 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
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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Playground Fitness Pop-up | School Holidays
EA Networks Centre
13 April 2026 01:00 pm - 02:00 pm
Parents enjoy a workout while kids (up to age 7) play with a range of soft play and toys (Active Adventures style set-up) and sports...
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Teen Box Fit | School Holidays
EA Networks Centre
14 April 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am
A high-energy boxing-style fitness session using pads and circuits. This class focuses on cardio, strength and coordination — no boxing experience needed and no contact...
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Free Theatre Puppet Workshops
Ashburton Library
15 April 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tamariki/children, ages 5-12Join the amazing Free Theatre team for a creative puppet-making adventure! In this hands-on workshop, kids will discover puppetry traditions, learn simple techniques,...
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Grandparents & Grandkids Aqua | School Holidays
EA Networks Centre
15 April 2026 12:15 pm - 01:00 pm
A fun aqua session where grandparents can bring their grandkids along and enjoy moving together in the pool. This runs alongside our regular Aqua class.Children...
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Puppet Workshop (over two afternoons)
Ashburton Library
13 April 2026 - 15 April 2026
04:31 pm - 04:31 pmTamariki/children, ages 5-12Day 1 Concept and Build 13th April 2pm-5pmTeam up with the youth librarian and some crafty teens to design and build the core...
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Teen Yoga | School Holidays
EA Networks Centre
16 April 2026 10:30 am - 11:15 am
A fun and relaxed yoga class for teens, focusing on movement, mobility and mindfulness. Perfect for improving flexibility, balance and confidence in a supportive, non-judgemental...
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Whimsical Words
Ashburton Library
4 April 2026 - 17 April 2026
Rangitahi/young adults, ages 13-18Celebrate the Word Witch exhibit at Rokowhiria by helping us build a giant collage of splendiferous words on our enormous witch's hat....
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Monster Grabber
Ashburton Library
17 April 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Tamariki/children, ages 5-12Let your imagination run wild as you craft a quirky, colourful monster creation with a fun surprise twist!
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EANC Holiday Programme - April
EA Networks Centre
7 April 2026 - 17 April 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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Flash Fiction Workshop
Ashburton Library
18 April 2026 12:30 pm - 03:30 pm
Join Heather McQuillan from the New Zealand Society of Authors in this workshop to learn the ins and outs of writing flash fiction....
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School Holidays | Make a Monument
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
13 April 2026 - 19 April 2026
Construct and decorate your own maquette of a local monument from our unique card templates.
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School Holidays | Whimsy Leaf Hunt
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
3 April 2026 - 19 April 2026
Wander our exhibitions and building searching for leaves with whimsical words of inspiration from the 'The Word Witch – Flights of Fancy' exhibition where we...
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School Holidays | Paint like a botanical artist
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
4 April 2026 - 19 April 2026
'Botanical Correspondents: Crossing time with Julia Holderness and Emily Cumming Harris' is an exhibition that travels across time. Come learn about the time and life...
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Military Vehicle Flip Book
Ashburton Library
7 April 2026 - 25 April 2026
Tamariki/children, ages 5-12Drop in anytime to colour, assemble, or take away your own flip book featuring military vehicles - a fun activity leading up to...
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Artist Talk | Q&A with Noel Meek
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
2 May 2026 11:00 am
Join our Art Curator James Hope and artist Noel Meek in a Q&A session about his new exhibition.the cuckoo sings for me, for the mountain,...
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Heritage Talk | Robyn Burgess
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
17 May 2026 11:00 am
To celebrate our new exhibition Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury, Heritage New Zealand’s Senior Heritage Advisor for Canterbury/West Coast, Robyn Burgess, will give...
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Workshop | Treasured Photos
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
31 May 2026 01:00 pm
Join us for a practical workshop led by archivist Connor Lysaght, where you will be introduced to methods for identifying various types of historic photographs,...
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Card making with die cuts
Ashburton Library
4 May 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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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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Heritage Talk | Mid Canterbury Suffragettes
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
6 June 2026 11:00 am
The Ashburton Family History Group have spent many years researching the Mid Canterbury women who signed the suffrage petition.At this special talk, we will hear...
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Artist Talk | Kara Burrowes & Charrette van Eekelen
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
13 June 2026 02:00 pm
Join us for an artist talk with Kara Burrowes and Charrette van Eekelen, Ōtautahi Christchurch-based artists who see the night as a psychologically charged space...
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Photography Workshop | Tegan Clark & Jaime McLauchlan
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
21 June 2026 11:00 am
Join local professional photographers Tegan Clark and Jaime McLauchlan for an inspiring and practical introduction to photography.This one-hour session is designed for anyone with a...
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