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.
Explore All Events
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Te Radar's Antarcticana29 & 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 -
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. -
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! -
Antarctic Gateway Audio Trail29 September to 9 October 2022 - Download the Listen Up Otautahi app and take a guided audio tour of Christchurch's central city Antarctic landmarks. -
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. -
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! -
Antarctica Art29 September to 9 October 2022 - Antarctica Art is an exhibition of artwork created by Year 10 students at Christchurch Girls’ High School. -
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 Exhibition29 September to 9 October 2022 - Pupils from Te Kura o Ōhinetahi | Governors Bay School and Te Kura Tuatahi o Ōhinehou | Lyttelton Primary School searched the 10,000 photo collection on the Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum website to curate their own LocalEyes. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
AYC Climate Expo | Te Ao Hurihuri30 September 2022 - Visit the penguins, feel icy cold temperatures, and learn about Antarctic science and cultural connection from a youth perspective. -
Artist Talk - The Art Of Interconnection1 October 2022 - Join artists Gabby O'Connor and Adele Jackson for a talk exploring how Antarctica and concepts of interconnection have influenced their art. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
A History Of Photography In Antarctica4 October 2022 - Come along to this highly visual talk to see and hear about how photography has influenced and advanced our understandings of Antarctica. -
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. -
Antarctica Expeditioners - Past And Present9 October 2022 - Traditional wreath laying ceremony at Captain Scott's statue to celebrate all past and present Antarctica expeditioners. -
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. -
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. -
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'.
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.
