Come and celebrate Days of Ice with us!

Antarctica is coming to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Days of Ice kicks off in the city tomorrow to mark the start of the summer science season and to celebrate our city’s unique connection with the continent.

There will be events and festivities across the city from 29 September to 9 October.

We’re excited to celebrate with our Gateway City partners and give Christchurch locals a taste of Antarctica.

There are only five Gateway Cities in the world – and Christchurch is one of them. We think that’s something to celebrate!

Here are some events we’re involved with:

Check out our new base

Check out the new Scott Base in the flesh at Tūranga. The scale model of the new base will be on display on the bottom floor of the central city library throughout the festival. You will be able to use your smart phone to scan the QR codes to see what the inside of the base will look like once it’s built.

Explore Family Day

Come on down to the Explore Family Day on Saturday 1 October for fun, science and colouring in! Antarctica New Zealand will have a tent at the Arts Centre, along with an igloo. We will have a few special guests performing science experiments, reading and answering questions about the white continent. Interactive colouring in sheets, a whale search and much more will be on offer. Come along and say hello to our team!

Modernising Scott Base

Want to know more about our progress on the Scott Base Redevelopment? Then head to Tūranga on 3 October at 6.45pm to hear from Senior Project Manager Simon Shelton. He will talk about designing and building sustainable infrastructure for the harshest place on earth. You’ll be able to hear about the latest progress, the detailed design that has been completed and what is planned for this summer.

Antarctic Church Service

Come along to the Transitional Cathedral on 9 October at 10am. Hear from one of New Zealand’s leading scientists, Professor Tim Naish, and witness the Erebus Chalice being handed over to the United States Air Force to be flown to the Chapel of the Snows for the research season.

The Days of Ice programme has something for everyone, including events, activations, exhibitions, guest speakers and polar films, as well as kids’ activities and competitions. Find the programme here.