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Event Name
Date And Time Etc

McAlpines Family Fun Zone

Fun activities for kids of all ages with inflatables, floaties, bikes,

📅 Date: Saturday 5 December 2026

⏰ Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm

📍 Location: Kaiapoi Park, Smith Street

🎟 Entry: FREE

For the kids the McAlpines Mitre 10 Mega Family Fun Zone features bouncy castles, go-carts, and a toddler’s zone for the little ones. This event is completely free because of the generosity of the event Sponsors and supporters

Lion Foundation Christmas Carnival

A community celebration with entertainment, craft stalls, food.

📅 Date: Saturday 5 December 2026

⏰ Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm

📍 Location: Kaiapoi Park, Smith Street

🎟 Entry: FREE

Featuring exciting carnival activities. There will be over 100 stalls with a focus on North Canterbury arts and crafts. There will be around 20 food trucks with a yummy delights, a huge range of ethnic foods, desserts, and drinks.
During the day there will be numerous musical performances and other entertainers on the
KIWI GAMING COMMUNITY GREEN.

Kaiapoi Toyota Christmas Parade

Watch over 50 floats and welcome Father Christmas to Kaiapoi.

📅 Date: Saturday 5 December 2026

⏰ Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm

📍 Location: Kaiapoi Park, Smith Street

🎟 Entry: FREE

Over 8,000 visitors are expected to watch the 2026 much-anticipated
Kaiapoi Toyota Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 1:30pm, at the western end of Dale Street, travelling south along Ranfurly Street passing the historic Kaiapoi Mill ,before finishing in Sidey Quay.

Food Vendors: Applications close: 31 October 2026.

Food Application

Stall Sites: Applications close 31 October 2026.

Stall Sites . .

Float Entries : Applications here. . .

Float Entries
Take me to FAQ’s

Layout for carnival

Map

Map

Event Map can go in these 3 blocks

Schedule

Time

Activity

9.30

Carnival opens to the public

9.30

McAlpines Mitre 10 Mega Family Fun Zone Entry opens (subject to weather conditions) Entry to this area is free. Please note that we have a separate area for pre-school age children only.

10.30

All the Food Trucks will be up and running ready to serve you.

11.00

Live music on the Main Stage on the Kiwi Gaming Community Green🎵

14.00

Enter back into the Carnival, the craft stalls and food vendors will still be open. There will be an opportunity to have your photo taken with Santa at the KPA Information shelter. Some of the floats will remain on display at the Carnival.

15.30

Carnival closes. -Thank you we hope you enjoyed the event.

Our Events Sponsors/Supporters.

F.A.Q‘s

Change these as needed.

What should I bring to the event?

Wear comfortable footwear, a sunhat and sunscreen. Bring your reusable water bottle. There are water refill stations at three locations (north, central, south event areas). No large suitcases or glass bottles. Outside food and drink allowed for baby snacks and medical needs only.

Is smoking permitted?

No. Smoking is not permitted at this event.

Will alcoholic drinks be available?

No. There won’t be any alcohol sold at this event and you cannot bring alcohol into the event.

What are the rules about Pets

Pets: Only certified service animals permitted in the event zone. No other pets for safety and crowd management.

♿ What Accessibility facilities are available?

We are committed to making the event accessible for everyone: Wheelchair access is available into the Kaiapoi club. across main event area.

Who is running the Kaiapoi Matariki Event ? 

The event is being run by Kaiapoi Promotions Association, a not for profit group run by a group of volunteers who are dedicated to running free community events in Kaiapoi.

Do you have EFTPOS and cash out facilities?

No, we will not have EFTPOS available. Many individual stallholders and food trucks will offer EFTPOS, but please bear in mind that some will be cash only depending on their facilities.

Where do I park and is there a fee?

There is a designated parking area which will be sign posted.

Is the event suitable for people with mobility issues?

Yes, the main event area is wheelchair accessible. We also have accessible toilets and designated disabled parking bays. Please see the Accessibility & Facilities section for more details.

🚑 First Aid

There is an on-site first aid provided by Kaiapoi Fire Brigade. In case of emergency, the first aid station is located near the main stage.

🛡️ Security

Security guards will patrol the event; Please follow event staff instructions in case of emergency or evacuation.

What happens in case of bad weather?

The carnival is an all-weather event! Most stalls are under cover. In case of extreme weather, please check our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Can I apply to be a stallholder?

Yes! We welcome applications from local businesses and community groups. Click here for application forms and deadlines.