Entertainment season in Christchurch

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Christchurch is set to be a hub of entertainment this summer with highly anticipated concerts, social events and much, much more.

From overseas artists and sports teams to entertainers from the home turf, the next few months will be spectacular.

COMEDY

YouTube sensation, Daniel Howell is performing his 2023 world tour “We’re All Doomed” at the Christchurch Town Hall on the 25th of January, 2023. For those who grew up in the earlier days of YouTube, this promises to be a night of sarcastic comedy and throwbacks. Award-winning comedian and writer, Sarah Millican is coming to the Christchurch Town Hall with her “Bobby Dazzler” New Zealand Tour. This will take place on the 28th of January, 2023. UK’s comedy star, Michael McIntyre is returning to Christchurch on the 21st of March, 2023 for his show, Jet-lagged and Jolly, which promises to be a show making mirth from the madness of the last few years. Set in the Christchurch Arena, get ready for side-splitting comedy. It’s all happening in Christchurch this entertainment season so get ready! From concerts to comedy, sports to pets, this summer promises to never get boring.

The man, the myth, the legend; Elton John.

MUSIC

Homegrown band, Six60 will be playing in the Orangetheory Stadium on the 10th of December 2022 for their Stadium Tour. According to Christchurch NZ, this will be the first time any artist has embarked on a 100 percent stadium tour throughout all of New Zealand which, as they remark, is history. The 24th of January, 2023 sees Elton John return to New Zealand for the first time in over 30 years for his final goodbye; Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. Join the Rocket Man himself in the Orangetheory Stadium for what the Herald Sun is calling a “once-in-ageneration farewell.” Not to mention, the annual music festival, Electric Avenue will be held in Hagley Park on the 25th of February, 2023. Featuring a wonderful line up of Lorde, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Peking Duk and many, many more, it’s set to be an exciting night. Sting is another world class act returning to New Zealand. He hasn’t been in the country for eight years and now brings Christchurch Arena his tour “My Songs” on the 1st of March, 2023. Featuring his most beloved songs, it’s set to be an exuberant and dynamic show. The Proclaimers and their four-piece band will perform hits such as “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles” in the Isaac Theatre Royal on the 17th of March, 2023. The brothers, Craig and Charlie Reid are visiting Christchurch as part of their biggest ever New Zealand tour and will play favourites from across their entire career.

POP CULTURE AND EXPOS

On the 3rd and 4th of December, the Christchurch Pet and Animal Expo brings the fluffy, feathered and scaled creatures to the Pioneer Leisure Centre. From dogs and cats to mice and rats, fish and turtles to lizards and more, the pet expo is a great event for all ages.

In pop culture and social entertainment, Armageddon is taking place on the 10th and 11th of December, 2022 with fantastically creative stalls, merchandise and events. There will also be the first in person panel since Covid, featuring actors such as Graham McTavish from The Witcher, Veronica Taylor from Pokémon, Liam McIntyre from The Flash, and many more.

Hagley Oval is set to host some top cricket events.

SPORTS

Sports is having a bit of a bonanza in Christchurch with cricket, sailing, hockey and more. On the 20th of January 2023, the Hagley Oval will be hosting the T20 Black Clash, which pits New Zealand’s biggest stars of rugby and cricket against each other. Meanwhile, on the 18th and 19th of March, 2023, the inaugural New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will be held on the Whakaraupo Lyttleton harbour. And, the FIH Hockey Pro League is coming to Nga Puna Wai from the 22nd of April 2023 to the 30th of April, 2023. It will feature both the Vantage Black Sticks Men and Women as they face Australia and Great Britain.