Open Christchurch 2021
Encounter new spaces or get up close to the buildings you love when building owners/kaitiaki of over 40 of Christchurch's best buildings throw open their doors. Experience exceptional design from the inside for free, during this one-weekend-only festival.
You’ll discover your city in a new way. Open Christchurch is a one-weekend-only festival of exceptional architecture. It’s for everyone in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
With behind-the-scenes access and unique experiences or activities on offer, this is a chance to connect with Christchurch’s story as you uncover its special places.
We are also putting on two guided central city walks that explore Ngāi Tahu identity in the central city and dozens of activities – from children's workshops to expert talks and tours – for those wanting to delve a little deeper.
The buildings in our programme span 158 years, a range of uses and functions, and have been selected for their cultural, architectural and social importance.
So come along and participate in Open Christchurch – you’ll discover your city in a new way.
The buildings included in the programme are open at different times and on different days; activities are timetabled; the sites range from Sockburn to Lyttelton, with the majority in the central city.
Just turn up on the day, unless otherwise advised (where 'bookings essential' is noted on the listing).
1. Old Government Building (28 Cathedral Square)
2. Botanic Gardens – Cuningham House (Rolleston Ave)
3. Botanic Gardens - Visitor Centre (Rolleston Ave)
4. Te Hononga Christchurch Civic Building (58 Worcester Blvd)
5. Tūranga Central Library (60 Cathedral Square)
6. Christchurch Town Hall (86 Kilmore St)
7. CSO Centre (86 Kilmore St)
8. Canterbury Building Society / Muse Art Hotel (159 Manchester St)
9. 65 Cambridge Terrace (65 Cambridge Terrace)
10. Stranges & Glendenning Hill (Corner of Lichfield and High streets)
11. Lyttelton Studio Monastery (23B Walker Rd, Lyttelton)
12. Lane Neave (141 Cambridge Terrace)
13. Christ’s College – Big School (33 Rolleston Ave)
14. Christ’s College – Hare Memorial Library (33 Rolleston Ave)
15. Christ’s College – Memorial Dining Hall (33 Rolleston Ave)
16. St Andrew’s College – Strowan House (347 Papanui Rd)
17. St Andrew’s College – Centennial Chapel (347 Papanui Rd)
18. Christchurch Boys’ High – Deans Buildings (51A Strowan Rd)
19. Christchurch Boys’ High – Caddick Classroom Block (Strowan/Kahu roads)
20. College House (University of Canterbury Hall of Residence) – 100 Waimari Rd
21. University of Canterbury – Puaka-James Hight (Central Library) Building (University Drive, Central Ilam Campus)
22. University of Canterbury – Jack Erskine Building (Engineering Rd, Central Ilam Campus)
23. University of Canterbury – Ernest Rutherford Building (Central Ilam Campus)
24. The Arts Centre – Clock Tower/Rutherford’s Den (2 Worcester Blvd)
25. The Arts Centre – Christchurch Girls’ High (2 Worcester Blvd)
26. The Arts Centre – Christchurch Boys’ High (2 Worcester Blvd)
27. The Arts Centre – Great Hall (2 Worcester Blvd)
28. The Arts Centre – Chemistry Building–UC Arts (Teece Museum/Classics/Music) (2 Worcester Blvd)
29. The Arts Centre – Library (The Central Art Gallery) (2 Worcester Blvd)
30. Rāpaki Church (1 Kina Rd)
31. St Michael and All Angels (90 Oxford Terrace and Durham St South)
32. St Paul’s Anglican Church, Papanui (1 Harewood Rd, Papanui)
33. Nurses’ Memorial Chapel (2 Riccarton Ave)
34. Our Lady of Victories Church (106 Main South Rd, Sockburn)
35. First Church of Christ the Scientist (66 Carlton Mill Rd, Merivale)
36. Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (2 Harakeke Street, Riccarton)
37. Transitional Cathedral (234 Hereford Street)
38. Oxford Terrace Baptist (288 Oxford Terrace)
39. Isaac Theatre Royal (145 Gloucester St)
40. CoCA Gallery (66 Gloucester St)
41. Mona Vale Homestead (Mona Vale Ave, Fendalton)
42. Millstream Apartments (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
43. Madras Street Townhouses (bookings essential, see openchch.nz)
44. Chen Anselmi Units (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
45. Peterborough Co-operative (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
46. Green Family Home (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
47. Guided walk: Te Papa Ōtākaro (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
48. Guided walk: Ngāi Tahu Arts, Architecture & Values (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
You’ll discover your city in a new way. Open Christchurch is a one-weekend-only festival of exceptional architecture. It’s for everyone in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
With behind-the-scenes access and unique experiences or activities on offer, this is a chance to connect with Christchurch’s story as you uncover its special places.
We are also putting on two guided central city walks that explore Ngāi Tahu identity in the central city and dozens of activities – from children's workshops to expert talks and tours – for those wanting to delve a little deeper.
The buildings in our programme span 158 years, a range of uses and functions, and have been selected for their cultural, architectural and social importance.
So come along and participate in Open Christchurch – you’ll discover your city in a new way.
The buildings included in the programme are open at different times and on different days; activities are timetabled; the sites range from Sockburn to Lyttelton, with the majority in the central city.
Just turn up on the day, unless otherwise advised (where 'bookings essential' is noted on the listing).
1. Old Government Building (28 Cathedral Square)
2. Botanic Gardens – Cuningham House (Rolleston Ave)
3. Botanic Gardens - Visitor Centre (Rolleston Ave)
4. Te Hononga Christchurch Civic Building (58 Worcester Blvd)
5. Tūranga Central Library (60 Cathedral Square)
6. Christchurch Town Hall (86 Kilmore St)
7. CSO Centre (86 Kilmore St)
8. Canterbury Building Society / Muse Art Hotel (159 Manchester St)
9. 65 Cambridge Terrace (65 Cambridge Terrace)
10. Stranges & Glendenning Hill (Corner of Lichfield and High streets)
11. Lyttelton Studio Monastery (23B Walker Rd, Lyttelton)
12. Lane Neave (141 Cambridge Terrace)
13. Christ’s College – Big School (33 Rolleston Ave)
14. Christ’s College – Hare Memorial Library (33 Rolleston Ave)
15. Christ’s College – Memorial Dining Hall (33 Rolleston Ave)
16. St Andrew’s College – Strowan House (347 Papanui Rd)
17. St Andrew’s College – Centennial Chapel (347 Papanui Rd)
18. Christchurch Boys’ High – Deans Buildings (51A Strowan Rd)
19. Christchurch Boys’ High – Caddick Classroom Block (Strowan/Kahu roads)
20. College House (University of Canterbury Hall of Residence) – 100 Waimari Rd
21. University of Canterbury – Puaka-James Hight (Central Library) Building (University Drive, Central Ilam Campus)
22. University of Canterbury – Jack Erskine Building (Engineering Rd, Central Ilam Campus)
23. University of Canterbury – Ernest Rutherford Building (Central Ilam Campus)
24. The Arts Centre – Clock Tower/Rutherford’s Den (2 Worcester Blvd)
25. The Arts Centre – Christchurch Girls’ High (2 Worcester Blvd)
26. The Arts Centre – Christchurch Boys’ High (2 Worcester Blvd)
27. The Arts Centre – Great Hall (2 Worcester Blvd)
28. The Arts Centre – Chemistry Building–UC Arts (Teece Museum/Classics/Music) (2 Worcester Blvd)
29. The Arts Centre – Library (The Central Art Gallery) (2 Worcester Blvd)
30. Rāpaki Church (1 Kina Rd)
31. St Michael and All Angels (90 Oxford Terrace and Durham St South)
32. St Paul’s Anglican Church, Papanui (1 Harewood Rd, Papanui)
33. Nurses’ Memorial Chapel (2 Riccarton Ave)
34. Our Lady of Victories Church (106 Main South Rd, Sockburn)
35. First Church of Christ the Scientist (66 Carlton Mill Rd, Merivale)
36. Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (2 Harakeke Street, Riccarton)
37. Transitional Cathedral (234 Hereford Street)
38. Oxford Terrace Baptist (288 Oxford Terrace)
39. Isaac Theatre Royal (145 Gloucester St)
40. CoCA Gallery (66 Gloucester St)
41. Mona Vale Homestead (Mona Vale Ave, Fendalton)
42. Millstream Apartments (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
43. Madras Street Townhouses (bookings essential, see openchch.nz)
44. Chen Anselmi Units (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
45. Peterborough Co-operative (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
46. Green Family Home (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
47. Guided walk: Te Papa Ōtākaro (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
48. Guided walk: Ngāi Tahu Arts, Architecture & Values (booking essential, see openchch.nz)
Various locations across Christchurch
Event contact
Emma JohnsonOther events you may be interested in
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