Christchurch Town Hall
Venue Info
Venue Info
Ōtautahi’s iconic venue hosting concerts, conferences, and community events.
A visit to the Christchurch Town Hall always feels special — a place where anticipation meets inspiration. From grand concerts and exhibitions to elegant corporate events, every occasion finds its perfect stage here.
Resting gracefully along the Avon River, this heritage-listed icon has captivated generations of guests and performers with its timeless charm.
Thoughtfully restored and reimagined for today, the Town Hall pairs its celebrated architecture with leading-edge technology, ensuring every note, word and moment resonates beautifully.
Within its walls lie five remarkable spaces: the renowned Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, the James Hay Theatre, and the versatile Limes, Avon and Victoria Rooms. Each offers its own character and atmosphere, ready to transform in tune with your event.
Getting here
Heading to the Christchurch Town Hall never fails to bring a sense of excitement and occasion.
Getting here
Heading to the Christchurch Town Hall never fails to bring a sense of excitement and occasion.
86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
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.
Pedestrians
Our main pedestrian access is via Kilmore Street or you can try the Avon entry via Victoria Square (although this entry may be closed for some events).
By Bus
The closest bus stop is on Victoria St opposite the Casino for routes 29, 95 and B. Bus timetables can be viewed on the Metro website.
By Bike
Bike racks are located near the roadside on Kilmore Street, to the left and right of the main entrance.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare vehicles are able to use the drop off zone in front of the main doors. If you're looking for a taxi at the end of the night, there is a taxi stand on Victoria Street outside Christchurch Casino.
By Scooter
If you arrive by scooter, please park it away from the entrance doors, so as not to obstruct any emergency exits.
Check for Updates
If you are coming to a ticketed event, keep an eye on the specific event page as this is where you find the most up-to-date information – or check out the below, for help to find your way.
Plan Ahead
Traffic congestion can be heavy, especially during peak times so always allow more time than you expect to get to and from the venue – aiming to arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of the event.
Accessibility
We’re committed to making every visit to the Christchurch Town Hall inclusive and comfortable.
Accessibility
We’re committed to making every visit to the Christchurch Town Hall inclusive and comfortable.
Hearing loop
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Christchurch Town Hall has hearing loop facilities in the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium and James Hay Theatre.
A Hearing Loop can assist fans who are hard of hearing by boosting the sound of the performance through their hearing aid.
For special seating requirements such as hearing difficulties or impaired mobility, please contact TicketMaster on 09 970 9711.
Wheelchair seating
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The Christchurch Town Hall is wheelchair accessible and has wheelchair allocated seating in both the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium and James Hay Theatre.
James Hay Theatre: There are three wheelchair spaces with companion seating.
Auditorium: There are eight wheelchair spaces with companion seating.
How to purchase
You can purchase accessible tickets directly from your event’s interactive seat map, by calling Ticketmaster on 09 970 9711, or through their online form and selecting Accessible Bookings as a topic.
Accessible tickets are reserved solely for fans with disabilities. Fans who abuse this policy could have their order cancelled.
Essential companions
Companion tickets are available on request, at the venue hirers’ discretion. Contacting Ticketmaster for enquiries.
Wheelchair hire
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We have wheelchairs available for guests — contact info@venuesotautahi.co.nz to request a wheelchair.
Lift access
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We have lift access for guests to the Gallery Level of the Auditorium and the Mezzanine Level of the James Hay Theatre. Circle Level access in the James Hay is by stair access only.
Support animals
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Support animals are welcome in Christchurch Town Hall. You can request water for your dog from the friendly staff.
Accessible transport
The Christchurch Town Hall is on public transport routes. See our getting here section for more information or plan your visit on the metro website.
Accessible parking & drop-off
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There is no onsite parking at the Christchurch Town Hall, however one accessible parking space is available on Kilmore Street in front of the building and another two are located on Colombo Street on the east side of the building.
There is a drop off zone in front of the building on Kilmore Street, and there are several public car parks nearby - you can view a carpark map here.
See our getting here section for more information on taxi and rideshare options
Accessible bathrooms
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There are accessible toilets located inside both the Men's & Women's bathrooms on the left side of the ground floor foyer of the Christchurch Town Hall.
Sunflower lanyard
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The lanyard is a tool to discreetly indicate you have a hidden disability and may need extra support, which allows staff to provide assistance when necessary.
The Town Hall staff are trained to recognise the lanyards and provide appropriate support.
If you have a hidden disability and require assistance, the lanyard can help ensure you receive the necessary support. You can also ask staff for help.
Hapai access card
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Christchurch Town Hall recognises and supports the Hāpai Access Card, an accessibility tool that acts as an indicator of a holder’s accessibility needs, helping our staff to best understand and cater to your unique needs.
Staff are well-informed about adapting their communication and assisting individuals with requirements such as:
• Mobility assistance
• Communication support
• Visual or hearing access needs
• Companion arrangements
Learn more about this here Hāpai Access Card
Ticket box office
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The Ticket Box at Christchurch Town Hall is located on the ground floor of the building and is accessible for all guests.
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RETAIL FOOD
Christchurch Town Hall brings you thoughtfully curated food and beverage experiences, showcasing the best of local flavours.
Fancy a bite?
We have a selection of tasty snacks and larger dishes available from the bars - everything from ciabatta sandwiches and vegetarian wraps to sweet treats! We love to source from our awesome Canterbury suppliers.
View our standard menu available at all events here.
BBQ beef ribeye, chimichurri aioli, wild rocket and sour dough | $14
Peter Timbs ham, cheddar, roman mustard, aioli and ciabatta | $14
Garden city vegetable wrap with seasonal greens, sunflower seed hummus, pickles and vegan cream cheese | $14
Smokey cauliflower salad with smoked almonds, chimi churri and tahina yoghurt | $14
Super greens orecchiette pasta salad with kale, broccoli, peas and salsa verde | $14
Lemon and yoghurt friand | $7
Triple chocolate brownie | $7
*Menu items are subject to change
*Please note, Christchurch Town Hall is a cashless venue
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RETAIL BEVERAGE
Christchurch Town Hall brings you thoughtfully curated beverage experiences, showcasing the best of local flavours.
Need a refreshment?
We have a selection of the best of the region's beverages available from the bars. We love to source local wherever we can – so a big thanks for helping us support these awesome Canterbury suppliers.
View our standard menu available at all events here.
Beer & Cider
Southern Alps Ultra Low Carb Lager | $11
Southern Alps Ultra Low Carb 0% | $10
Moa Motueka Hazy IPA | $11
Moa Bush Moa Mid Ale | $10
Moa Classic Apple Cider | $12
Spirits
Jameson Whiskey & Cola | $13
Jameson Whiskey Dry & Lime | $13
HeyHey G&T w Cloudy Pink Grapefruit | $11
HeyHey Vodka Soda w Peach Nectarine | $11
HeyHey Vodka Soda w Lemon Lime Bitters |$11
Soft Drinks
Coca Cola | $5
Coca Cola Zero Sugar | $5
Sprite | $5
L&P | $5
Karma Green Apple Sparkling Water $6
Schweppes Ginger Ale | $5
Keri Gold Orange | $6
Pump | $5
Wine
Main Divide Sauvignon Blanc | $14
Main Divide Chardonnay | $14
Main Divide Rose | $14
27 Seconds Pinot Gris | $14
Main Divide Pinot Noir | $14.5
Main Divide Merlot | $14.5
Crater Rim Sparkling | $14.5
*Menu items are subject to change
*Please note, Christchurch Town Hall is a cashless venue
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CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
To help ensure a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience for all visitors, Christchurch Town Hall has a set of conditions of entry that everyone is expected to follow.
Make sure you are set for a smooth entry and great experience. Come prepared with your ticket, valid ID if purchasing alcohol, and a small bag if necessary-keep it minimal for security checks. Leave large bags, commercial food, umbrellas and pro gear at home.
Please note that while we endeavour to communicate as much as possible, promoters and event organisers may amend these conditions at short or no notice, for reasons of safety and security.
Smokefree
Christchurch Town Hall is smokefree at all times, this includes the use of Vapes & E-Cigarettes.
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
- 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 (see 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
You may bring with you a personal compact or phone camera, and homemade food items for personal consumption e.g. sandwiches
Prohibited Items
- Alcohol or illegal substances
- Bottles or drink containers of any size (excluding baby bottles)
- Flasks or thermos
- Commercial food e.g. fish and chips, Subway, McDonalds, etc.
- Animals (except guide or hearing dogs)
- Chairs, stools or furniture
- Offensive signs or banners
- Whistles, musical Instruments, air horns, or vuvuzelas
- Selfie sticks, flares, fireworks, lasers or lights
- Dangerous goods
- Weapons, or anything that looks like a weapon
- High-tech recording devices, such as video cameras, GoPros, iPads, tablets and cameras with detachable lenses.
Venue map
Venue map
The map below highlights key entrances and access paths to help you plan your visit with ease.
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Our spaces
Our spaces
Whether you’re curating a cultural performance, hosting a gala, or organising a corporate event, Christchurch Town Hall offers a flexible range of unforgettable spaces.
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Commanding yet intimate, the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium is rich in prestige and mana. The acoustics are widely considered to be among the best in the world, making it the ideal location for everything from conferences and charity galas, to concerts, theatre productions, symphony orchestra performances and more.
Modernisation of the auditorium's seating configurations mean this beautiful heritage space can be easily transformed into a spectacular setting for gala dinners, cocktail receptions and other special events. Its theatre capacity is 2,250 and it can accommodate 1,100 people for a standing concert.
Floor Area - 460m2
Floor - Ground
Cocktail
450
Banquet
318
Theatre
2250
Concert
2500
Cabaret
224
Commanding yet intimate, the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium is rich in prestige and mana. The acoustics are widely considered to be among the best in the world, making it the ideal location for everything from conferences and charity galas, to concerts, theatre productions, symphony orchestra performances and more.
Modernisation of the auditorium's seating configurations mean this beautiful heritage space can be easily transformed into a spectacular setting for gala dinners, cocktail receptions and other special events. Its theatre capacity is 2,250 and it can accommodate 1,100 people for a standing concert.
Floor Area - 460m2
Floor - Ground
Cocktail
450
Banquet
318
Theatre
2250
Concert
2500
Cabaret
224
Business Event Menus
Business Event Menus
Venues Ōtautahi brings you thoughtfully curated food and beverage experiences, showcasing the best of local flavours.
Planning an event?
Check out our menus for options of how to elevate your next event or get in touch with our team.
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FAQ
Got questions? We’ve answered common ones to help you plan your visit.
FAQ
Got questions? We’ve answered common ones to help you plan your visit.
Can I bring in food?
- No, for public / ticketed events
Under the venue’s Terms & Conditions, hirers and their guests are not permitted to bring their own food or drink into the venue. - All catering (food & beverage) must go through Venues Ōtautahi’s in-house catering.
- For events/hirers: if you're organising an event, you must include your catering requirements in the event order confirmation with Venues Ōtautahi.
Can I bring a bag?
- Bags must be 30 cm × 30 cm or smaller to be allowed in.
- Larger bags may be subject to security checks. Entry is at the discretion of staff.
Can I bring a camera?
- Yes for small personal cameras: compact cameras and phone cameras are allowed.
- No for professional / commercial recording devices: video cameras (GoPros), large DSLRs (with detachable lenses), tablets, etc., are prohibited under the venue’s rules.
Health & Safety
- Venues Ōtautahi has a formal Health & Safety policy covering Town Hall.
- Hirers must submit a detailed Health & Safety Plan (also called a Site-Specific Safety Plan) to Venues Ōtautahi before the event, and this must be approved.
- During the event, the hirer must co-operate with Venues Ōtautahi’s staff, other contractors, and any relevant safety procedures (e.g., evacuation, building security).
- All risks, incidents, or near-misses observed in the venue must be reported promptly to Venues Ōtautahi.
Organisers & exhibitors
- As an event organiser / exhibitor, you must comply with Venues Ōtautahi’s Terms & Conditions when hiring space.
- For exhibitors / trade shows: you’ll need to provide detailed floor plans and layouts to Venues Ōtautahi ahead of time, so they can review against safety and venue policy.
- Food or beverage distribution by exhibitors at an event requires explicit written permission from Venues Ōtautahi. (They manage all food & beverage arrangements for their events.) EMP Admin Application
- Hazardous or dangerous items (e.g., fireworks, pyrotechnics) cannot be brought in without prior written approval.
- Smoke machines or similar “special effects” gear will likely need approval as part of your health & safety plan and setup. (Because of the risk categorisation.)