The South Island Moon Festival, Ōtautahi Christchurch’s newest cultural event, will illuminate the city this spring with a vibrant display of art, lanterns, performances and food.
The festival will take place from 18 – 21 November 2021, building on the huge success of the South Island Lantern Festival. Moon festivals are a traditional time of celebration in China and many East Asian communities, where families gather to watch the full moon, eat moon cakes and recite moon poems.
The inaugural festival will feature an exciting and diverse range of local artistic talent, with a focus on both traditional and contemporary cultures of Ōtautahi Christchurch. Audiences will enjoy spectacular lantern displays, food and beverage providers and free outdoor entertainment.
Joanna Norris, ChristchurchNZ CEO, said the organisation was “delighted to have the inaugural South Island Moon Festival finally getting under way”.
“With the 2020 event postponed due to Covid-19, the anticipation for this new event has been building far longer than expected,” Norris said.
Joanna Norris, ChristchurchNZ CEOWe are a multi-cultural city and one that embraces all those who call it home. The South Island Moon Festival will be a chance for the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch and Aotearoa New Zealand to gather in our new city and celebrate.
The South Island Moon Festival will be run by Strut & Fret NZ, the team behind the revitalisation of the World Buskers Festival, which takes over the streets of Christchurch each summer.
Scott Maidment, Festival Director, said it was “an exciting time for the city”.
“The South Island Moon Festival will bring families together to share the truly unique cultures of Christchurch, and we’re working closely with our community to build a truly spectacular event” Maidment said.
“We are calling for artists, performers and food stalls to bring their best for the Moon Festival.”
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST & FESTIVAL IDEAS
PERFORMERS
The South Island Moon Festival invites all performers, from traditional to contemporary, to submit an application to the festival. The team are looking for performers from a diverse range of genres, including music, dance, experimental, comedy and family performers and groups.
FOOD STALLS
Moon Festivals are traditionally a time to get together and enjoy the best food to celebrate good fortune. If you have a food stall, submit an application to become part of the new South Island Moon Festival. Food and drink from all cultures will be considered, and offerings from Chinese and Asian cultures are encouraged.
MARKET STALLS
Calling all market stall holders! The South Island Moon Festival will create a unique atmosphere, with the markets a focus of the inaugural event. Market stall holders offering arts, crafts, traditional and contemporary goods are encouraged to apply.
Priority will be given to sustainable products or stalls that focus on locally sourced goods.
To apply, please visit southislandmoonfestival.co.nz
About Strut & Fret NZ
Strut & Fret NZ creates world-class events in dynamic environments which engage, enthral, and excite audiences globally. With over 20 years of experience, this internationally acclaimed company has created and delivered work across the breadth of public and community events, corporate functions, festival precincts, street theatre, comedy, dance, drama, circus, theatre and spectacle. Strut & Fret NZ has partnered to deliver outstanding events with a wide range of entities such as Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival, New Zealand Arts Festival, Melbourne Festival, Christchurch Arts Festival, Auckland Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Southbank Centre London and many more.
About ChristchurchNZ
ChristchurchNZ is the city’s promotions and economic development agency, charged with igniting bold ambition and excitement, stimulating economic activity and attracting visitors to Ōtautahi Christchurch.
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