This one will be a special home-grown edition, featuring New Zealand's most talented and wonderfully hilarious street performers in a new event called Bread and Circus - World Backyard Buskers Festival.

The World Buskers Festival always features a fantastic selection of home-grown talent ready to get a laugh or a wow out of the public. This year it'll also focus on highlighting iconic Christchurch venues, local food and beverage makers, and providing a bucket load of free outdoor entertainment to be enjoyed in the summer sun.

Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ General Manager Destination and Attraction, said “Bread and Circus is a beloved event and we are proud to support its return to the city."

Bread and Circus is also putting a call out to artists - if you want to be in the festival, this is the time to make your pitch. Bread & Circus is currently taking artistic and creative submissions, and they're on the hunt for fresh ideas, event concepts, artistic proposals and performances from individuals or companies.

Thursday 15 – Wednesday 21 January
breadandcircus.co.nz