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41°F / 5°C
(Scattered Showers. Scattered Clouds. Nippy.)
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Despite its conservative and sleepy reputation, Christchurch has plenty to keep its guests entertained. Indeed, the city boasts some of the New Zealand's most respected theatre, classical and pop music as well as some of the country's most successful sports teams. And, you will find the city's compactness works in your favor, as you check out the many bars, cafes and attractions.
The Canterbury Visitors Information Centre in the Cathedral Square is worth a visit for further details of entertainment venues. The local daily newspaper, The Press, publishes entertainment listings throughout the week and the City Council also publishes City Scene, a monthly "what's on" guide.
Pubs & Bars
Christchurch's cosmopolitan nature is perhaps best shown in its variety of bars and pubs that are scattered throughout the city. Like many other cities, theme pubs have become common, with Manchester Street hosting the majority of them. Enjoy a "wild west" saloon bar like the Grumpy Mole Saloon, the craic of an Irish pub at Sullivan's and the notorious Cantabrian Rugby roar at the Excelsior Sports Bar. If fine wine is more your style, Annie's Wine Bar in the Arts Centre has plenty of choice. For a more traditional "night down the pub", the Jolly Poacher opposite the Casino or the oh-so-English Bard on Avon, by the river on Oxford Terrace, are excellent choices.
Cafe Society
Like its big brothers Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch has its own cafe scene, and many of the city's residents feel as happy with a cappuccino as they would with a Canterbury Draught. The stylish Vivace on Hereford Street and the funky C1 Espresso are often home to city people enjoying a break, whilst Lyttleton's Volcano Cafe erupts into life most nights and weekends.
Live Music
When most major touring artists come to the South Island, Christchurch is frequently their only stopover. The WestpacTrust Centre, New Zealand's largest entertainment venue, often plays host to pop concerts as well as sporting events. If classical music is your thing, Christchurch is the envy of the North Island, with its excellent Christchurch Symphony and Chamber Music ensemble based at the Town Hall. For some unique sounds take a stroll through the Arts Centre Weekend Market and check out the live performers (plus all the arts and craft on display).
Nightlife
The boutique Christchurch Casino, the largest in New Zealand, is one of the main draws for tourists visiting the city and provides ample opportunities for you and your money to part company. If you still have some left over, the area known as "The Strip" around Oxford Terrace is the hub of the city's nightlife with All Bar One and Coyotes Street Bar & Restaurant transforming from their comfortable daytime incarnations into thumping nightspots. For more serious clubbing, Base and others are all within walking distance. Outside of the CBD, the Wunderbar in Lyttleton is a popular alternative, with live bands and DJ's performing into the small hours. If '80s kitsch and karaoke is more your thing, the Treehouse is worth a look and is popular particularly with students.
Theatre & Cinema
When it comes to stage and screen, Christchurch has some excellent small art-house cinemas, such as the Academy Cinema, Regent on Worcester and Cloisters screening independent and foreign language films. The Hoyts Cinema chain of multiplexes are located throughout the city and the Rialto on Moorhouse Avenue is often home to special film festivals. The Hollywood Theatre in Sumner is a movie classic.
The Court Theatre is at the forefront of stage drama in the city, renowned for its productions of classic as well as contemporary New Zealand plays. Other smaller theatre groups are scattered around the city, such as the Elmwood Players, the Malthouse Theatre Company and the Ngiao Marsh Theatre, situated at the University of Canterbury. Lovers of opera, musical theatre and dance are also catered for, with Canterbury Opera and New Zealand Ballet staging regular seasons at the Christchurch Town Hall (James Hay Theatre) and the Theatre Royal.
Concerts & Events
Sports fans are treated to regular sporting events and the Canterbury Crusaders, are the hottest ticket in town. Come winter, legions of fans bedecked in black and red flock to Jade Stadium to cheer on the Crusaders in some of rugby's toughest competitions.
Free festivals, provided by the city council, play a big part in Christchurch's annual events calendar with SummerTimes and World Buskers Festival among the most prominent. The internationally renowned Garden City Festival of Flowers is a true celebration of floral excellence. Hagley Park plays host to free rock concerts, Opera in the Park and Classical Sparks--a fireworks and music extravaganza which marks the end of the SummerTimes Festival. The park is also the setting for the annual Christmas Carol Concert, which regularly attracts over 100,000 spectators.
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