Culture Galore registration of interest

Culture Galore will take place on Saturday 21 March 2026.

Culture Galore is a multicultural festival that celebrates our city's diversity with food, arts and crafts, and music and dance performances from more than 30 cultures that call Christchurch home.


Culture Galore is brought to you with the support of the Christchurch City Council, The Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre and the Culture Galore planning committee.


Before you begin

Please read the Culture Galore event information sheet.


If you have registered a food stall, please also read:

No commercial food vendors please, unless by prior arrangement.

Register

Registrations close on 16 January 2026.

The festival is all about celebrating the incredible diversity of our community, and this year we’re placing a stronger emphasis on supporting ethnic, cultural groups and organisations.

 

Registrations are confirmed on the following criteria: 

  • Site availability
  • Community group and event objectives
  • First-come first in basis

Please note

  • We are now at capacity for stage performances. Please email lisa.gregory@ccc.govt.nz if you wanted to register a stage performance.
  • We are now only accepting non-powered food stalls, information stalls and craft stalls.
  • We only have very limited space for information stalls remaining. 








Performance on the main stage

We are now at capacity for stage performances.

Please email lisa.gregory@ccc.govt.nz if you wanted to discuss registering a stage performance.
Performance on the main stage





Please email music tracks to phil.mardon@spectrumlighting.co.nz  with any instructions or
phone 03 377 0070.

Interactive workshop or demonstration inside the pavilion



Music format - supports digital device with Bluetooth, such as a phone or tablet. There is also a handheld and lapel microphone available.

Cultural fashion parade on the main stage showcasing traditional dress

Requirements – limited to 2 people ready by 11.45am.

Food stall or food caravan

All groups must:

  • Provide their own shade structure, trestle tables and chairs.
  • Provide a minimum of a 30kg weight for each leg of the gazebo (weights, sandbags, buckets filled with rocks).  If you would like us to supply these, please indicate below.
  • Provide a tarp for underneath their gazebo to catch food and oil spills.
  • Be for the purpose of fundraising only.
  • Read and abide by NZ food regulations.






Cars will be directed to a designated drop-off zone, where you will have up to 10 minutes to unload your equipment. After unloading, please move your vehicle to the allocated parking area for the duration of the event. Ensure you have enough helpers to complete unloading within the 10-minute timeframe.



Sustainable Events Canterbury (SEC) initiative

Pre-event Hagley Park site visit

Culture Galore is part of the Sustainable Events Canterbury (SEC) initiative, previously known as the CFPE or Compostable Food Packaging at Events and we will be composting the packaging and food waste generated.  


There is a specific range of packaging that is permitted which is shown in the Sustainable Events Canterbury Guide. We reserve the right to decline any food vendors using non-approved packaging and close down a stall immediately before or during the event.

 

All food stall operators are required to attend a compulsory 60-minute training session on SEC-approved packaging as there are updates to these products. If you have already completed the training, you are still required to attend again. 


We also invite other stallholders to come along who may also want to see the new venue for a pre-event site visit.


The training session will be held on the following date:

  • Date: Tuesday 27 January 2026
  • SEC training session: 6pm to 7.15pm
  • Pre-event site visit: 7.15pm to 8pm
  • Location: Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre – 455 Hagley Avenue.


Ethnic information stall or craft stall





Public information directory

 
We will be compiling a public information directory of groups involved in the event. 

The directory will list your group name and up to two ways to contact you. 

View the 2025 directory.










Provide the full link http:// to your website

Provide the full link http:// to your Facebook page

Provide the full link http:// to your Instagram page

Provide the full link http:// to your Instagram page

Model release
The Christchurch City Council will be taking photographs through the day for possible promotional purposes. 
  • I hereby irrevocably grant to the Christchurch City Council and its assignees the full right and permission to use my photographic image and photographic images of any members of my group in any form of media or for any other lawful purpose in relation to any promotion or communication relating to the Christchurch City Council or its activities or to any organisation that the Christchurch City Council funds, sponsors or supports in any way.

  • I understand and agree that my photographic image and photographic images of any members of my group may be cropped, altered, transformed or reproduced in any way and may also be combined with other works or text or sub-licensed to third parties for use. 

  • I understand that my photographic image and photographic images of any members of my group may be entered into photographic competitions or awards, used in advertising or otherwise used to promote Christchurch City Council events, and/or submitted for display at art galleries.
  • I understand that my photographic image and photographic images of any members of my group will be included in the Canterbury Stories digital heritage repository for Christchurch City Libraries.

  • On behalf of myself and all members of my group, I waive any right (including all legal rights) in my photographic image and photographic images of any members of my group that we may have to inspect or approve any product or copy of our photographic images or any related work prior to its use.

  • I am 18 years or older and warrant that I have authority from all members of my group to agree to the above terms on their behalf.


Terms and conditions


By applying, I agree:

  • To abide by the rules and regulations of the Culture Galore Committee.

  • That the Culture Galore Committee have the right to decline my application for any reason.

  • The the committee base priority on the following criteria: site availability, groups objective, and first-come first in basis.

  • That site fees must be paid in advance to secure my stall, and that these fees are non-refundable within five working days of the event date and 50% refundable up to two weeks prior.

  • I am responsible for providing all items for my stall, including my gazebo, display setup, equipment, and accessories. This includes gazebo weights (unless hiring from Christchurch City Council), a protective tarp to cover the area beneath the gazebo, and any electrical appliances, which must have a current test tag.

  • I am responsible for removing everything I have brought to the event including rubbish.

  • I take full responsibility for my own safety while setting up, operating and taking away my stall and will abide by the Christchurch City Council's Health and Safety Plan.

  • That the event management reserves the right to decline any vendors using non-approved packaging and close down a stall immediately before and during the event if these regulations are not being adhered to.