Christchurch Christmas Grotto Rest Year Inspires New Event
After 16 years of the Christmas Grotto Experience at South West Baptist Church the team is having a rest year. This lead
to the opportunity to reimagine the Christmas season and create a festival celebration working collaboratively with
community groups and churches from across the city.
The new ’Christmas for the City’ event will feature elements from the grotto alongside new family friendly activities
including music, a live nativity, North Pole village and Santa, bouncy castles, face-painting and much more.
Children can get involved making Christmas decorations and gifts in the North Pole Village, ride donkeys at the live
nativity or have their photo taken on Santa’s knee.
With over 25 food vendors, families can also enjoy a meal while catching performances at one of the two large stages or
at the six satellite stages throughout the Ara Campus.
‘We really wanted to gift the people of Christchurch an event where families can come to enjoy the magic of Christmas
for free’ says Alan Jamieson of South West Baptist Church. ‘Over 27 Churches and other community groups have got behind
‘Christmas for the City’ and the dream is to make it an annual event focused on celebrating this special time of year’
‘Christmas for the City’ is a free community event and will be held at the Ara City Campus, Madras St on Saturday 16th
December 4.00pm - 9.00pm.
For more event information and updates on the website christmasforthecity.org.nz
ENDS