Best time to visit · Christchurch · New Zealand
The best time to visit Christchurch
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tzuhsun Hsu, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Christchurch is December to March, when days are warm and long, the beaches and Port Hills are at their best and road trips through Canterbury are easiest. April brings autumn colour and calmer prices, while October and November are lovely for gardens. Winter (June to August) is cold and frosty, but suits travellers combining the city with skiing in the Southern Alps.
Key facts
- Best months
- December–March
- Shoulder season
- April and October–November
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 23°C (73°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 11°C (52°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~9 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–September
Seasons
Christchurch has a temperate climate with warm, dry summers, crisp, frosty winters and rain spread through the year. A hot, dry north-west wind can bring very warm days, while a cool easterly sea breeze is common on summer afternoons.
December–February
Summer
Warm, long days around 21–23°C, beaches and outdoor dining; the busiest and most expensive season.
March–May
Autumn
Settled early autumn weather, golden trees in Hagley Park in April and cooling, frosty nights by May.
June–August
Winter
Cold, crisp days and frosty nights; quiet in the city and the gateway to ski fields inland.
September–November
Spring
Blossom, daffodils and lambs, with changeable weather and the lively Cup and Show Week in November.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C | 12°C | 7 | 16°C | 15.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 22°C | 12°C | 6 | 16°C | 13.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 20°C | 10°C | 7 | 15°C | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 18°C | 7°C | 7 | 13°C | 10.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 14°C | 4°C | 8 | 12°C | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 12°C | 2°C | 8 | 11°C | 9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 11°C | 2°C | 9 | 10°C | 9.2 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 12°C | 3°C | 8 | 10°C | 10.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 15°C | 5°C | 7 | 11°C | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 17°C | 7°C | 8 | 12°C | 13.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 19°C | 9°C | 7 | 13°C | 14.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 21°C | 11°C | 8 | 15°C | 15.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | World Buskers Festival — street performers across the city (usually January) |
| June | Christchurch Marathon (usually early June); Matariki — Māori New Year public holiday (June or July) |
| August | Christchurch Arts Festival (in some years, usually August–September) |
| November | New Zealand Cup and Show Week — horse racing and the Canterbury A&P Show (usually mid-November) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–September, and the sights are quietest in May–June and August–September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Christchurch?
The best time to visit Christchurch is December to March, when days are warm and long, the beaches and Port Hills are at their best and road trips through Canterbury are easiest. April brings autumn colour and calmer prices, while October and November are lovely for gardens. Winter (June to August) is cold and frosty, but suits travellers combining the city with skiing in the Southern Alps.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Christchurch?
Usually in May–September. Cool and increasingly frosty at night; snow arrives on the Southern Alps.
+What is the rainiest month in Christchurch?
July, with about 9 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Christchurch get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 23°C (73°F) and lows of 12°C (54°F).