Lyttelton Arts Festival

As the cold settles in and the days grow short, Ōhinehou Lyttelton is throwing the best possible antidote to the mid-year gloom, a 17-day arts festival packed to the rafters with creative energy.

The Lyttelton Arts Festival runs 3–19 July 2026, right through the school holidays, and the programme is anything but quiet. Comedy, dance, music, theatre, poetry, family shows, workshops, and movies all of it unfolding in one of Christchurch's most characterful and beloved spots.

Whether you're chasing big belly laughs, looking for something to ignite the kids' imaginations, wanting to catch live music in a venue that feels like it was made for it, cosying up to dream around stories and poetry or simply craving a reason to leave the couch this is your winter warmer sorted.

Featuring Rebound Dance, Chooks Cabaret, Shay Horay, Joe Bennett, Feminist Clown Posse, Gary McCormick, Folk Tales, Gameshow Roulette, Ben Wood, Robin Judkins, Adam Hattaway Band and more!

Head through the tunnel, and let the festival do the rest. See you there.