New Zealand Events and Festivals

11/07/2008 - 11/15/2008New Zealand Cup and Show Week

The city of Christchurch in Canterbury sheds its demure image for a week in November as a rash of sporting, social and cultural events breaks out everywhere. The New Zealand Cup and Show Week is a very special time of the year, when racing, fashion, food and local lifestyles converge in a big, animated, lively festival. New Zealand Cup week is at the heart of things, a full card of galloping, trotting and greyhound cups, Ladies Day, Guineas Day and Show Day race meetings. Some 300 trade displays, carnival rides, wine competitions, food and cookery demonstrations are among the side shows. Fashion events, polo, a Last Night of the Proms, Punting in the Park and a golf tournament are among the many other events, with the most explosive highlight coming in the form of a fireworks display at New Brighton Pier on Guy Fawkes Night.