Christchurch Town Hall
The Christchurch Town Hall is one of the City’s most recognisable pieces of architecture and one of New Zealand’s premier performance venues.
Three years of restoration work includes strengthening to 100% of the new building standard, reinstating its iconic heritage features as well as a significant upgrade and overall refurbishment. This world-class performance venue will offer your event multi-functional conferencing options and a dramatic backdrop for gala dinners, cocktail functions and special events.
With further construction work still to be done on the James Hay Theatre and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Block, we unfortunately have to restrict public access to the building until this work is complete later in 2019.
However, in the meantime we are working on providing tour opportunities so leave us your details and we will be in touch soon! Register Here.
We are taking bookings for events from March 2019 onwards, so get in touch to discover how this iconic venue can work for you! For more information and example floor plans see the pack below.
Images
Walkthrough
Getting Here
The Christchurch Town Hall is located at 86 Kilmore St, Christchurch Central.
Plan Ahead
Always allow more time than you expect to get to and from the venue and aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of the event. Traffic congestion can be heavy when there are events on especially during peak commuter travel times.
By Car
Kilmore street is a one-way street heading west. There is no onsite parking at the Christchurch Town Hall, however there are several public car parks you can view a carpark map here.There is a drop off zone in front of the building on Kilmore Street.
By Bus
There is a brand-new bus stop located on Kilmore Street directly outside the building. Bus routes 29, 95 and B currently directly pass the Town Hall. Bus timetables can be viewed on the Metro website.
By Taxi & Ride Share
Taxis and Ride share vehicles are able to use the drop off zone in front of the main doors. To find a Taxi at the end of the night there is a taxi stand on Victoria Street outside Christchurch Casino.
Pedestrians
Pedestrian access is via Kilmore Street or the Avon Entry via Victoria Square. Please be aware that this entry may be closed for some events.
By Bike:
Bike Racks are located near the roadside on Kilmore Street left and right of the main entrance.
Lime Scooter
People arriving via lime scooters are asked to park them away from the entrance doors and not to obstruct any emergency exits.
Ticketing Information
To Purchase tickets to events at the Christchurch Town Hall:
With construction work still to be completed on the James Hay Theatre and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Block, we unfortunately have to restrict public access to the Christchurch Town Hall. For any ticketed events a box office will be open 90 minutes before the scheduled start time of the event. From here you can purchase tickets, arrange ticket collection and resolve any ticketing issues.
Online:
For Ticketed events in the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium and James Hay Theatre head to Ticketek.co.nz
Phone Sales:
Call: 0800 TICKETEK (842538)
In Person:
Isaac Theatre Royal,
145 Gloucester St
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. (Closed Sat, Sun and Public Holidays)
The Palms Shopping Centre
Cnr Marshlands & New Brighton Roads
Customer Services Booth
Hours: Mon-Wed 9am-6pm, Thu & Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm
To purchase Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Tickets:
Online:
Eventfinda is the ticketing provider for CSO tickets. To purchase online head to the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Website
Phone Sales:
0800 BUY TIX (289 849)
In Person:
Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Centre
Arts Centre,
28 Worcester Boulevard,
Christchurch
Open 7 days from 8:30am - 5:00pm
Plan & Capacities
Capacities
|
Space |
Area (m2) |
Cocktail |
Banquet |
Theatre |
Standing Concert |
|
Douglas Lilburn Auditorium |
460 |
500 |
310 |
2,250 |
1,000 |
|
James Hay Theatre |
292 |
350 |
200 |
700 |
1,000 |
|
Limes Room |
545 |
400 |
280 |
500 |
- |
|
Victoria Room |
225 |
180 |
140 |
240 |
- |
|
Avon Room |
230 |
200 |
120 |
230 |
- |
|
Boardroom |
49 |
25 |
12 |
20 |
*These numbers are indicative only. Exact capacities will be confirmed closer to the build finish and will depend on individual event requirements.
Floor Plans
Douglas Lilburn Auditorium Limes Room Victoria Room Avon Room
*These floor plans are indicative only. Exact capacities will be confirmed closer to the build finish and will depend on individual event requirements.
Food & Beverage
Whether you’re here as a guest for an event, or you’re the one organising it, we’ve got you sorted and it’s all about choice…
Coming to an event at Christchurch Town Hall?
We've got a selection of snacks and beverages available from the Bars. View what's on offer here. If you are after something more substantial there are lots of bars and restaurants nearby.
Planning an event?
If you’re organising a special event then you’ve got some choices to make. We have created our menu pack to suit the huge range of events we host here at Vbase so you can choose from a pre-set menu package, or customise your own menu from a large selection of individual items. Head on over to our Catering page and get inspired!
Conditions of Entry
Christchurch Town Hall is smokefree at all times, this includes the use of Vapes & E-Cigarettes.
Please note while we endeavour to communicate as much as possible, Promoters and Event Owners/Operators may amend these Conditions of Entry at short or no notice for reasons of safety and security.
Dress Code
All persons entering Christchurch Town Hall must be appropriately dressed.
The right of admittance is reserved to Christchurch Town Hall staff and the decision will be final. In particular, no person will be permitted entry to the venue with:
- Bare feet
- Clothing containing offensive messages (or gang patches)
- Inappropriate costume
- High vis reflective clothing
Behaviour
Patrons may be refused entry to or asked to leave the venue if they:
- Are not in possession of a valid ticket or pass
- Are the subject of a current trespass order
- Attempt to bring in, or are found with, prohibited items (Full list of items below)
- Appear intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, or otherwise behave in a disorderly or offensive manner
- Refuse to undergo a breathalyser test.
- Fail to comply with security or entry staff requests, including submission to a search
- Are carrying out illegal or unauthorised activities within the Venue
Age Restrictions
- Anyone aged 13 or under needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Bag Restrictions
- Bags must be 30cm x 30cm or under to enter the venue.
Permitted Items
- Homemade food items for personal consumption eg. Sandwich
- Personal compact cameras and phone cameras.
Prohibited Items
- Alcohol or Illegal Substances
- Bottles or Drink Containers of any size (excluding baby bottles)
- Flasks / Thermos
- Commercial Food e.g. Fish and Chips, Subway, McDonalds, etc.
- Animals (except guide or hearing dogs)
- Chairs/Stools/Furniture
- Offensive Signs or Banners
- Whistles / Musical Instruments / Air Horns / Vuvuzelas
- Selfie sticks/ Flares / Fireworks / Laser Lights
- Dangerous Goods / Weapons / Anything that appears to look like a weapon
- Gang patches
- All commercial/professional grade recording devices including but not limited to video cameras, GoPros, iPads, tablets and DSLR/SLR cameras with detachable lenses.
Organisers & Exhibitors
Whoever said the devil’s in the detail must’ve worked in events!
Whether you’re planning your stand at the next big expo, or you’re organising the entire event from scratch, there can be a lot of information you need to take in. Here we try to break it down a little and make the process just a bit easier for everyone.
Before you think you’ve got it covered though please remember - as with any event planning, your specific requirements may differ from what’s listed here – every event is unique and your event is definitely a bit more special!
Food & beverage options
It's all about choice. We have created our menu pack to suit the huge range of events we host here at Vbase so you can choose from a pre-set menu package, or customise your own menu from a large selection of individual items. Head on over to our Catering page and get inspired!
Exhibitor information
We are still ironing out some of the finer details when it comes to exhibiting. We'll be uploading our exhibitor guide soon! In the meantime, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Health & Safety
Do you know where our responsibilities merge with yours? With the new legislations in play we’ve taken extra care and attention to making sure you have everything covered ahead of your next event. Here’s a sample of documents you may come across when planning your next event at a Vbase venue but your Event Planner will be in touch to let you know exactly what applies to your event.
Weddings
Douglas Lilburn Auditorium is ready to host the big events once more. The acoustics are considered to be amongst the best in the world, making this the ideal for everything from conferences and seminars to rock concerts and classical music.
Modernisation of the seating configurations in both the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium and the James Hay Theatre will make the spaces even more easily transformed into a spectacular setting for gala dinners, cocktail receptions and other special events. The James Hay Theatre is still a work in progress, but is currently scheduled to be complete at the end of April.
The Victoria Room will offer a unique stage for events while the Limes and Avon Rooms, that sit on the banks of the Avon River, will provide stunning and unrivalled backdrop for your event. With striking wooden features throughout, each room is as unique as the other and will see their historic elements rejuvenated with additions such as integrated technology and automatic blinds further enhancing each space.
For dinners and cocktail receptions to product launches, breakout spaces and presentations, these rooms can work together or as a standalone space to create more amazing experiences for all your guests.