TV2 KidsFest the biggest yet

It’s back and it’s bigger than ever. The city’s annual winter school holiday festival TV2 KidsFest runs from 3-16 July with fun, games and activities for children up to 12 years of age. Thirty of the events this year are free.

Christchurch City Council events team leader Islay McLeod has a surprise up her sleeve for Friday 2 July when the festival is launched.

“Residents of Christchurch can look forward to the most colourful surprise they’ve ever experienced in the middle of winter, at sunrise on 2 July,” she says. “That’s all I can say or I’ll ruin the surprise but it will be happening all over Christchurch.”

The colourful TV2 KidsFest brochure is being distributed this week to primary and intermediate schools, pre-schools, crèches, kindergartens, kohanga reo, libraries and City Council service centres. It is also being distributed to Waimakariri (North Canterbury), which has its own section in the brochure with 30 events.

TV2 KidsFest events produced by the Christchurch City Council include the opening event, Pioneer Polar Rave on Saturday 3 July. Pioneer Stadium will become the Antarctic for a few hours — although thankfully temperatures will be more like Fiji. This kids’ dance party will feature a DJ, a funky light show and prizes.

The event is fully supervised but caregivers are required if kids decide to enjoy a midwinter swim, as the Leisure Centre pool will be open.