Month guide · Christchurch · New Zealand
Christchurch in January
What January is really like in Christchurch: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Christchurch. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 15.1 hours of daylight. Peak summer and holiday season, with long, warm days and busy beaches and gardens.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 15.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Christchurch: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with December (21°C (70°F)), January is warmer; by February highs stay near 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:07
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 21:10
- Daylight
- About 15.1 hours
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F)
Autumn (March–May). Settled early autumn weather, golden trees in Hagley Park in April and cooling, frosty nights by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- World Buskers Festival — street performers across the city (usually January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · Central City
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Visit in spring for the daffodils and blossom in Hagley Park, or in April for autumn colour.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Experience · Central City
Punting on the Avon
Punters in boaters and striped jackets pole flat-bottomed boats along the Avon (Ōtākaro) beneath willows and past the Botanic Gardens.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Port Hills
Christchurch Gondola
Go on a clear morning for the best chance of seeing the Alps, and walk part of the Crater Rim track.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Zoo · McLeans Island
Orana Wildlife Park
New Zealand's open-range zoo, on the city's north-western edge, keeps lions, giraffes, rhinos and gorillas in large enclosures, as well as native kiwi, tuatara and birds.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 12°C and 7 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Christchurch?
One of the best months to visit Christchurch, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–March and December. Compare every month.
Christchurch in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Christchurch?
It is one of the best months to visit Christchurch. Peak summer and holiday season, with long, warm days and busy beaches and gardens.
+How warm is Christchurch in January?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Christchurch in January?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.