Antarctic Season Opening
Every year, Christchurch celebrates its Antarctic gateway status with private and public events to wish those traveling South a successful season in Antarctica. The Antarctic Season Opening brings the New Zealand Antarctic community together in Christchurch. The celebrations acknowledge the valuable contributions of national and international partnerships reinforcing the city’s cultural, economic, diplomatic and political Antarctic connections. Also, it is an opportunity for the community to welcome those who have come from around the world to launch their Antarctic expeditions from here. The city packs in one week everything Antarctica to coincide with the first Antarctic flights. Participants to these Antarctic festivities include from international dignitaries to members of the public, who will have the opportunity to interact with the Antarctic community through public talks, visiting the Antarctic aircrafts, attending guided tours to historic sites with Antarctic connections, and enjoying Antarctic art exhibitions, among others.
