Horsing Around In Hagley Park

No, NOT another Powershop ad!

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the Chinese calendar and one of the most ancient events celebrated around the world.
Observed between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunisolar Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year is a vibrant occasion filled with colour, family traditions and hopes for the future.
Each year, one of the twelve animals from the Chinese zodiac is celebrated and, in 2014, it's the turn of the powerful, gracious and adventure-loving horse.
New Zealand, home to a thriving Chinese community, prides itself on observing the diverse cultures of the many groups that inhabit its shores and the celebration of Chinese New Year is no exception.
This weekend, it's the Christchurch Lantern Festival. After wowing festival goers in Auckland last weekend, the Lantern Festival comes south. It'll be held in the beautiful surroundings of Hagley Park North and offers mouth-watering Asian foods, colourful lanterns, martial arts demonstrations and performances from local and overseas artists like Tang Dynasty, the Shanghai Jiangzhou Drum Troupe, Kite artist Guo Hongli and The Butterfly Troupe.

What: Chinese Lantern Festival in Christchurch
Where: Carlton Mill Corner, North Hagley Park
When: this Sat.22 Feb-Sun.23 Feb., 5-10.30pm