29 September to 9 October 2022
Days of Ice
Ōtautahi Christchurch is proud to be one of only five Antarctic Gateway cities in the world. Celebrate the opening of the Antarctic Summer science season and Christchurch’s unique connections with Antarctica with eleven days of events and activities.
The programme has something for everyone, including events, activations, exhibitions, guest speakers and polar films, as well as kids’ activities and competitions.
Explore Days of Ice between 29 September and 9 October 2022 and be inspired by our city’s links to Antarctica.
Days Of Ice Programme
Explore All Events
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Antarctica Art29 September to 9 October 2022 - Antarctica Art is an exhibition of artwork created by Year 10 students at Christchurch Girls’ High School. -
Te Radar's Antarcticana – Lyttelton29 to 30 September 2022 - A hilarious and informative romp through Antarctica’s fascinating past and present, telling stories of the bold and the bizarre that shaped the frozen continent. -
Lyttelton Antarctic Window Hunt29 September to 9 October 2022 - Hey kids, grab an entry form, hunt out Antarctic related items in participating shop and business windows in Lyttelton and you’re in for a prize. -
Antarctic Treasure Hunt29 September to 9 October 2022 - Join us for an Antarctic Treasure Hunt with the Christchurch Tram during the Days of Ice Festival. -
Antarctic Discovery At The Gondola29 September to 9 October 2022 - Learn about Antarctica with the Christchurch Gondola’s discovery website during the Days of Ice Festival. -
Women Of The Antarctic: Making The Absence Visible29 September to 9 October 2022 - Artist Ira Mitchell-Kirk has painted a series of portraits to draw attention to women in Antarctic science. -
Antarctica In Virtual Reality29 September to 9 October 2022 - Put on a VR headset to experience 360 South Te Tiri O Te Moana, a short film shot in 360 degrees on the ice . -
Whales Of The Southern Oceans29 September to 9 October 2022 - Visit the Museum and count the number of Antarctic whales you see on painted rocks for a chance to win a fantastic prize. -
100 Polar Women – An Online Exhibition29 September – 9 October 2022 - In this year-long project, we collect stories from 100 global women in Arctic and Antarctic employment, both polar science and non-academic polar roles. -
Where Memories Sleep29 September to 9 October 2022 - An immersive cine-dance music production that explores a legend of the Aurora Australis, using storytelling to connect us to the scientific world of Antarctica. -
Women Researchers In Antarctica – Series Launch Event29 September - Women have made considerable contributions to the protection and understanding of the Antarctic region and are research leaders making significant contributions. -
Te Whakairo29 September to 9 October 2022 - Te Whakairo - Ngā Kī o Te Tai Ao: The Carvings Carry the Stories of the World is a short film about two talented carvers from each end of Aotearoa who take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to NZ's kaitiakitanga of the Ross Sea. -
Explorers Hub Exhibition29 September to 9 October 2022 - Home Gallery Fine Arts in Christchurch will be exhibiting some specially created Antarctic themed artwork. -
Days Of Ice: Christchurch Airport29 September to 9 October 2022 - Christchurch Airport is the Gateway to Antarctica and invites you to come visit the various exhibitions on during Days of Ice. -
The Antarctic Walkway - Light And Sound29 September to 9 October 2022 - Christchurch Airport invites you to come experience the interactive light and sounds as you walk the Antarctic Walkway. -
The Hillary Step29 September to 9 October 2022 - Come walk The Hillary Step and read the tributes and poem for Sir Edmund Hillary, Kiwi legend and Antarctic hero, in the terminal at Christchurch Airport. -
Days of Ice - Christchurch City Libraries29 September to 9 October 2022 - Explore Days of Ice at Christchurch City Libraries and be inspired by our city’s links to Antarctica. -
The Ocean Is In Your Hands Mural And Drawing Competition29 September to 9 October 2022 - What would you like to see protected in our ocean? Join us in designing your own mural to celebrate the reveal of The Ocean is in Our Hands. -
Antarctica Unfrozen Podcast29 September to 9 October 2022 - The #1 Antarctic podcast series based on the passionate people that have dedicated their lives to understanding, working and living in Antarctica. -
LocalEyes Online Exhibition29 September to 9 October 2022 - LocalEyes is an online exhibition of photos selected by invited locals from the eclectic photo collection at Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum. -
Visit The New Scott Base!29 September to 9 October 2022 - The Scott Base Redevelopment scale model will be housed at Tūranga for the duration of Days of Ice. Use your smart phone to see what it will look like inside! -
Science On Ice29 September to 9 October 2022 - Take an Antarctic adventure with Sonny Ngatai. Watch episodes of Science on Ice, complete a quiz to earn a special Antarctic prize! -
Antarctic Gateway Audio Walking Tour29 September to 9 October 2022 - Take a guided audio tour of Christchurch's central city Antarctic landmarks. Hear from scientists and artists, historians and curators. -
Magnetic Observatory29 September to 9 October 2022 - Our Antarctic secret. Tucked away in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens is a building with ties to a magnificent history of adventure, exploration and heroism. -
AYC Climate Expo | Te Ao HurihuriEvent Cancelled - Visit the penguins, feel icy cold temperatures, and learn about Antarctic science and cultural connection from a youth perspective. -
Dinosaurs Of Antarctica30 September 2022 - A 3D insight into the amazing prehistoric creatures that inhabited Antarctic forests and swamps hundreds of millions of years ago. -
Christchurch City Antarctic Walk1 October 2022 - A guided walk to connect you to our city’s rich Antarctic heritage and how we support contemporary national Antarctic programmes. -
Explore Antarctica - Family Day1 October 2022 - Be inspired by local Antarctic experts and scientists or just cuddle a husky dog, with loads of activities and competitions for the whole family. -
Te Radar's Antarcticana - The Piano1 October 2022 - A hilarious and informative romp through Antarctica’s fascinating past and present, telling stories of the bold and the bizarre that shaped the frozen continent.
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Te Whakairo - Darfield1 October 2022 - Two talented carvers from Aotearoa take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to New Zealand's kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the Ross Sea. -
Te Whakairo - Leeston1 October 2022 - Two talented carvers from Aotearoa take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to New Zealand's kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the Ross Sea.
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Far From Frozen - Going To Extremes2 October to 9 October 2002 - Otago Museum’s hands-on science showcase brings the reality of climate change to life through interactives, demonstrations, VR and more. -
Te Whakairo - Lincoln2 October 2022 - Two talented carvers from Aotearoa take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to New Zealand's kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the Ross Sea.
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Bike To Ice Bike Ride 20222 October 2022 - Join us for an afternoon bike ride through NZ’s Antarctic history, from Scott’s statue to the Antarctic Centre, via the cycling tunnel. -
Asia On Ice3 October 2022 - An informative exploration of Asian encounters with Antarctica hosted by the Asia New Zealand Foundation, with speakers who have lived and worked there. -
Hillary's Virtual Antarctic Hut Experience - Darfield3 October 2022 - Explore Sir Ed Hillary's Antarctic Hut through virtual reality experience and see what life was like living in the world's most extreme environment! -
The Future Of Scott Base: Modernising New Zealand's Antarctic Base.3 October 2022 - The New Zealand Antarctic Society and Antarctica New Zealand are hosting a presentation on the Scott Base redevelopment project. Hear about progress and plans. -
Hillary's Virtual Antarctic Hut Experience - Rolleston4 October 2022 - Explore Sir Ed Hillary's Antarctic Hut through virtual reality experience and see what life was like living in the world's most extreme environment!
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Science On Ice - Rolleston4 October 2022 - Discover our favourite icy continent with Antarctica New Zealand’s Science on Ice, and follow Sonny Ngatai’s journey as he explores Antarctica.
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Keep In A Cool Place: The First Winter At Vanda Station, Antarctica5 October 2022 - Come and celebrate the launch of this engaging first-person account of wintering-over at Vanda Station in 1969. -
Chasing The Southern Lights6 October 2022 - Ian will share some stories from his secret life as an aurora addict, explain this amazing natural phenomenon and show some of his stunning photographs. -
Hillary's Virtual Antarctic Hut Experience - Lincoln7 to 8 October 2022 - Explore Sir Ed Hillary's Antarctic Hut through virtual reality experience and see what life was like living in the world's most extreme environment!
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Science On Ice - Leeston7 October 2022 - Discover our favourite icy continent with Antarctica New Zealand’s Science on Ice, and follow Sonny Ngatai’s journey as he explores Antarctica.
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Korora Kaitiaki Storytelling8 October 2022 - Discover the world of the smallest penguin of all and what it takes to protect them. Storytelling, fun games and drawings led by Pohatu's conservation rangers. -
Junior Robot Explorers8 October 2022 - Discover the brave robots that help scientists in Antarctica! Build and program a simple LEGO robot, learning how to use sensors, motors and code. For ages 5-8. -
Robot Explorers8 October 2022 - Discover the brave robots that help scientists in Antarctica! Build and program a robot explorer that can collect an ice core using LEGO sensors and motors. -
Antarctic Book Story Telling8 October 2022 - Come and listen to these two exciting adventures set in Antarctica and meet the author, Rosamaria Solar on zoom. -
Launching A Weather Balloon8 October 2022 - In this event, students will assist Professor Adrian McDonald from the University of Canterbury launch a weather balloon in Cathedral Square. -
I See Science8 October 2022 - We will show students some of the science that we complete on the icy continent. We will complete a range of experiments. -
Spot The Penguin From Space8 October 2022 - Learn about Emperor Penguins and where they live using satellite images in the computer lab at the Turanga library. -
Science On Ice - Darfield8 October 2022 - Discover our favourite icy continent with Antarctica New Zealand’s Science on Ice, and follow Sonny Ngatai’s journey as he explores Antarctica.
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Lyttelton Antarctic Walk9 October 2022 - Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour has a rich Antarctic history with Scott and Shackleton departing the Port on three separate voyages during the 'heroic era'. -
Cathedral Antarctic Service9 October 2022 - A service at the Transitional Cathedral to ask God's blessing on those returning from Antarctica for the 2022/23 research season. -
Antarctica Expeditioners - Past And Present9 October 2022 - Traditional wreath laying ceremony at Captain Scott's statue to celebrate all past and present Antarctica expeditioners. -
Science On Ice - Lincoln9 October 2022 - Discover our favourite icy continent with Antarctica New Zealand’s Science on Ice, and follow Sonny Ngatai’s journey as he explores Antarctica.
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Te Whakairo - Rolleston9 October 2022 - Two talented carvers from Aotearoa take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to New Zealand's kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the Ross Sea.
Antarctic Gateway Audio Trail
Listen Up Ōtautahi
Learn about Ōtautahi's role as an Antarctic gateway city on our tour.
Hear from scientists and artists, historians and curators and get a taste for the magic, adventure and importance of this otherworldly continent.
The tour takes about 90 minutes covering 1.2km with 18 stops. If you're with young ones be sure to look out for the Antarctic creatures hidden along the route.
Access the experience via your browser.
