October brings longer daylight hours and more time to enjoy all that is on offer.

Art lovers will rejoice as SCAPE launch their 2019 season, transforming the city into a home for the temporary contemporary. You can also catch street art party Highlight. Jump on your bike as Biketober rolls into town, or get your zen on at this year’s Body Mind Spirit – Health Expo. Quench your thirst with Oktoberfest, or indulge in some locally grown drops at Taste North Canterbury. Discover local history with the Beca Christchurch Heritage Festival. Black Books fans are in for treat as Dylan Moran takes to the stage, and you can get your music fix with Postmodern Jukebox.

SCAPE Public Art

This year’s six-week season of SCAPE Public Art’s exhibition is sure to inspire and delight you. Outdoor spaces throughout the city will become home to more than a dozen contemporary artworks from local and international artists. This season’s theme is Rock : Paper : Scissors and everything that these three words evoke. One of the highlights is Made in China, by Chinese artist Sui Jianguo, which is sure to get you talking as you explore the Public Art Walkway.

scapepublicart.org.nz

Highlight

The art continues as SALT Square, next to Little High Eatery, will be transformed for a day. The Square will be lit up and animations projected on to the Ōtautahi mural, while DJs will keep you bopping and live street art demonstrations will have you wowing.

Find it on Facebook

Biketober

Seeing more bikes around town? That’s because Biketober has rolled up. The month-long festival aims to get you on your bike and having fun. There’s a diverse range of activities and events so there’s something for anyone who rides for any reason. Grab a Biketober Passport and try to hit all 40 destinations through the month, or check out some of the volunteer-led programmes on offer. There are seminars, bike repair workshops and guided and self-guided rides, so get pedalling!

biketoberchch.nz

Oktoberfest at Welles Street

It’s that time again – dust off your lederhosen and practise yodelling ready to celebrate Oktoberfest at Welles Street, one of the city’s largest beer halls. The annual fest will provide thigh-slapping fun and have you tasting your way across Aotearoa and Europe with a large selection of local styles and imported German beer, cider and wine.

wellesstreet.co.nz

Taste North Canterbury

If a locally grown drop is more your thing, Taste North Canterbury is a celebration of all wines made with heart in the coolest wee wine region. Tempt your taste-buds with some of the delectable artisan fare that will be served up, and chill with the low-key tunes that will be spinning from local DJs.

Find it on Facebook

Dylan Moran

You’ve seen him in Black Books, you’ve seen him in Notting Hill and you’ve seen him in Shaun of the Dead. Now, Cantabs have a chance to see adored Irish comedian Dylan Moran (live and in the flesh) when he brings his Dr Cosmos tour to Christchurch on October 15. The deep and thought-provoking show has won acclaim overseas and there’s no doubt we’ll be singing his praises by the end of the night. Fun fact: Moran won the prestigious prize for best comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1996, 22 years before our very own Rose Matafeo walked away with the same title.

Read our Q&A with Dylan

dylanmoran.com

Beca Christchurch Heritage Festival

Here in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula there are many stories from those who call this place home. The Heritage Festival is an opportunity to share the stories of the past that link us to this place. There are loads of events and activities throughout this three-week festival, with something for everyone.

ccc.govt.nz

Postmodern Jukebox

Captivating collective Postmodern Jukebox have earned themselves a passionate global following for the way they reinterpret current pop hits to give them a classic edge. While they’re good online, they’re even better in person. Kiwi fans will be stoked to hear that PMJ are bringing their Welcome to the Twenties 2.0 show to Christchurch for one night only on October 19 and will be headed by vocalist Aubrey Logan. The group’s creator, Scott Bradlee, always knew he was an “old soul”, something that led to the creation of PMJ. The group’s biggest hits, which all boast well over 20 million streams on YouTube, include covers of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’ and Lorde’s ‘Royals’. Find yourself a flapper dress and get on down.

Read our Q&A with Aubrey

postmodernjukebox.com

Body Mind Spirit – Health Expo

Learn how to support all parts of your wellbeing at the Body Mind Spirit expo. The two-day event is New Zealand’s largest holistic health expo and offers information on inner peace, mental stimulation and inspiration, among other things. Rejuvenate, unwind and reconnect at the expo, which will take place at Addington Raceway on October 12 and 13.

bodymindspirit.co.nz