November means the start of party season for Cityscapers, with Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup Day kicking off the action, followed by more fun and racing on Show Day. The New Zealand Agricultural Show will bring the country to town, and there’s an early Christmas cracker when Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park brings together onstage performance and offstage pyrotechnics. Culture comes to the party too, with the Royal NZ Ballet in town as well as concerts by renown cellist Yo-Yo Ma, music legends Lloyd Cole and America, and a slice of synth pop from Hermitude.

Yo-Yo Ma

In a feat of musicality and endurance, legendary musician and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello in one sitting at the Christchurch Town Hall on Tuesday November 12. This performance is his New Zealand debut and is part of his Bach Project, which consists of 36 days of action, conversations and collaborations that explore how culture can help us imagine and build a better future.

yo-yoma.com

Trotting Into Action

Join the city’s crème de la crème at Addington Raceway & Events Centre on Tuesday November 12 for Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup Day. The season’s hottest social event is this year set to be the most stylish. A full card of 12 races culminates in the 116th running of the Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup. In between the racing excitement there’s a great lineup of entertainment, and fabulous fashions on the catwalk in The Crossing Fashion Starts Here Best Dressed Competition. You’ll also find plenty of delicious treats served up by some of the city’s top international food providers, and thirst-quenching refreshments at the bar.

addington.co.nz

Show Day Races

The week’s excitement continues at Addington’s Show Day Races on Friday November 15, with more great racing, live entertainment and a free kids’ zone. Entry is by gold coin donation. There’ll be plenty of tasty Kiwi treats and refreshments available in the numerous public areas, including the Lindauer and Blanc de Blanc lawns, Twiggers and the Christian Cullen Lounge. Racing highlights of the day are the Woodlands NZ Free-For-All and the Airpark Canterbury Dominion Trot. The NZ Kidz Kartz Final is definitely a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

addington.co.nz

NZ Agricultural Show

The New Zealand Agricultural Show brings a touch of tradition to the city and celebrates all that is great about rural life. With a packed schedule of top livestock and equestrian events, live music, fun-filled family entertainment, an indulgent Food & Wine Village and so much more, you will be spoilt for choice at the Canterbury Agricultural Park from Wednesday November 13 to Friday November 15.

theshow.co.nz

Hermitude

Aussie musos Hermitude are heading across the ditch and will bring their chillaxified aesthetic with them as they take the James Hay Theatre stage on Friday November 15. The über-cool cats of Haiku Hands will get you warmed up with their fusion vibes at the start of the night before Hermitude take you to another planet.

hermitude.com

RNZB: Hansel & Gretel

The RNZB keep producing the classical ballet goods and their rendition of Hansel & Gretel is sure to impress. The timeless tale will take you on a journey to a dark and fantastical realm where two lost children enter a gingerbread house. Check it out at the Isaac Theatre Royal from Thursday November 21 until Saturday November 23.

rnzb.org.nz

America

Iconic folk-rockers America – Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell – are celebrating their 50th anniversary by grooving around the Town Hall stage on Friday November 22. Expect a mass sing-along to hits including ‘A Horse with No Name’, ‘I Need You’, ‘Don’t Cross the River’ and ‘Ventura Highway’. Grab your tickets and be ready to celebrate.

venturahighway.com

Lloyd Cole

After penning for the Commotions in the 1980s, Lloyd Cole continues to create great music, as he makes clear on his new album, Guesswork. With Commotions’ guitarist Neil Clark, Cole will present an acoustic celebration of his career in From Rattlesnakes to Guesswork, which hits the James Hay Theatre on Saturday November 23.

lloydcole.com

Court Theatre: The Wind in the Willows

This summer’s spectacular at The Court Theatre is treasured British classic The Wind in the Willows. This sparkling adaptation, which opens on Saturday November 23, follows the loveable characters Badger, Ratty, Mole and Toad as they embark on an adventure for all ages. A cast of 22 stars will be stunningly costumed as beautiful woodland creatures to bring this classic to life. Whimsical and enchanting, this charming production is packed full of humour, heart and magic.

courttheatre.org.nz

Exhibition: Zachery Hawkins

Artist Zachery Hawkins is best known for his vibrant and dramatic colourful paintings. In his exhibition Masked, at Eco Frame and Mirror in Sydenham from Saturday November 23, he will have some of his best on display, all of which have been beautifully framed by Eco Frame and Mirror.

frameandmirror.co.nz

Ōtautahi Tiny Performance Festival

This platform for emerging and experimental artists to present new and challenging work takes over CoCA for a day and night of performance on Saturday November 30. The festival brings together a range of disciplines for a series of unmissable events from 10am – 10pm, with bands, DJs and a dance party until midnight. Quench your thirst thanks to local labels Beer Baroness and Main Divide at the bar, which runs from 5pm till midnight.

tinyfest.co.nz

CodeBreakers

You’re stuck in a room with friends and the clock is ticking on your escape – the team at CodeBreakers are masters at setting up quirky, challenging and entertaining scenarios for you to break out of. These guys recently had a makeover and changed their name from Crate Escape to CodeBreakers and with the new name comes a whole raft of new escape adventures! An escape room is just that, with a tricky scenario thrown in for good measure. The aim is to work in a team to uncover clues, crack codes, solve puzzles and complete your mission, which is to get out – all within 60 minutes. Sounds fun, right? So if you’re looking for something a little out-of-the-box to do with friends, families, your partner or as a team-building exercise, check out CodeBreakers at 166 St Asaph Street or 492 Colombo Street.

codebreakers.nz

The Court Jesters: A Christmas Carol

Join The Court Jesters this Christmas as they once again ambitiously recreate Charles Dickens’ classic Yuletide tale with just two performers, one pianist and a little help from the audience. Packed with brand-new jokes and interactive excitement, A Christmas Carol is a Christchurch Christmas tradition. Get along from Saturday November 30 to Saturday December 21.

courttheatre.org.nz

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

Hagley Park will be filled with Christmas cheer as Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park takes over on Saturday November 30. Bring a picnic blanket and relax as you enjoy the talent on the stage. The night will end with a bang as the sky is lit up with a fireworks spectacular. Bring your koha to support Youthline.

www.coke.co.nz/christmas-in-the-park