FAQ’s

The World Buskers Festival runs from Friday 24 January to Sunday 2 February. Full schedule for all the performance details and locations coming soon.

See the What’s On section for ticketed shows that have been released. The Busker programme will be scheduled between 10.30am – 5.30pm, and a full schedule will be released soon.

Most of the festival action is in the city. Our location map will be released soon so you can plan your visit. As a general guide, we have pitches (pitches are what we call the areas where buskers busk) at Scott’s Statue, Bridge of Remembrance, Isaac Theatre Royal, James Hay Theatre, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre – North Quad, The Great Hall and Altiora.

We’ll have all the latest festival happenings on our social media channels – Facebook and Instagram. To get notified of shows as they go on sale – sign up for our emails below.

Everything else you need to know will be right here on our website. Our schedule is coming soon, here’s the festival map and if you can’t find what you’re looking for – drop us a line here.

There are plenty of options for getting around our beautiful city. Our friends at Ōtautahi Christchurch have put together this guide to help.

We all know how warm a summer’s day in Ōtautahi Christchurch can be! Not all of our pitches (pitches are what we call the areas where buskers busk) are shaded and we reckon it’s likely that you’ll want to wander around and catch a few shows. So bring a hat, slap on some sunscreen (maybe pop an extra bottle in your bag to reapply!) and bring a water bottle.

Whilst we don’t set out to photograph specific audience members, it’s possible that you will be in our audience photos. If you see our photographers out and about and don’t want to be in shot – let them know and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. Any photos taken are likely to appear on our social channels and may also be used for festival promotion in future.

Yes! You can definitely take photos – one of the best photos you can take is of you or one of your family dropping some koha in a buskers hat!

We’re joking of course (well half joking!) you’re welcome to take photos and we’d love it if you share and tag us on your socials.

We might get a bit wet? The weather in Ōtautahi Christchurch can be a bit unpredictable. If the weather is looking iffy, check our Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date festival information.

1. We have our Busker Base at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre in the North Quad (see map here). You’re welcome to drop it to us, or to pop in and see if we’ve found something you’ve lost.
2. For anything property lost or found, please follow the police process outlined here.

Buying tickets to World Buskers Festival events is easy! Find the performance that you’d like to attend using the schedule – coming soon. Use the ‘buy tickets’ button and you’ll be directed to the ticket purchase page.

We’re lucky to be supported by a number of venues across the city but this does mean that we are using a few different ticketing platforms, so you may not be able to purchase multiple performance tickets all at one time. If you’re having trouble, drop us a line.

Generally tickets can not be cancelled, changed or refunded. In the unfortunate situation where we have to cancel a show and you can not make an alternative date, we will provide a refund. If there are extenuating circumstances, feel free to contact us and we will consider the situation.

Let’s start at the top!

Busker/Hatted events
We have ‘hatted’ events. These are our awesome street performers, artists who work all over the world and delight in the art of busking. They are based at our busking pitches (pitches are what we call the areas where buskers busk), and busk during the day. These are called ‘hatted’ events because if you enjoy the performances, we’d love for you to show your thanks by dropping some money into the artists hat. It’s good hatiquette!

Ticketed events
We also have ‘ticketed’ events. These are often in venues and many of them run in the evening. Our ticketed events have limited availability – so if you see a show that tickles your fancy – get your friends together and book it!

Across both hatted and ticketed events, we have lots of different performance styles; from cabaret and magic to acrobatics and circus. There’s definitely something for everyone. And probably some new favourites that you didn’t know you had.

Free Events
There will also be a number of free roaming or pop-up performances that will not be Hatted. Be generous with your applause!

Some shows have age restrictions. Each performers details will outline what restrictions exist.

If children are attending ticketed events, they need to have tickets. Parents/care-givers can purchase these tickets by finding the event they’d like to attend and clicking ‘buy tickets’.

Ticketing options will vary by show, but you can see all available options when you click through to the ticketing purchase page.

Tickets include GST, however, you may find that some ticketing platforms have additional charges (eg, handling fee, credit card fee etc). We’ve worked really hard to ensure that pricing for all shows is fair and reasonable. After all, we want to ensure that the festival continues to grow year on year!

Some venues allow for seat selection, in other venues, seats are by General Admission and you choose your seats when you arrive, so get there early to take your pick. If you have accessibility requirements see the Accessibility section below.

Most shows will allow late entry, though we’d love for you to be settled with your drink, in your seat, for the show start.

All World Buskers Festival tickets can be purchased via our website, or the hosting venues ticketing agent.

If you’re coming along to a ‘hatted’ event (a performance taking place on the street), please feel free to position yourself where you are most comfortable. We’ll have Busker volunteers out and about, sing out if we can help finding a spot or getting a better view.

If you are attending a ticketed event, please have a chat with our friends at your events specific venue and let them know how they can help you have a great experience.

All venues are able to make accommodations for our differently abled community. To help them make your experience comfortable – please get in touch with them before the event so they can be prepared.

We’re always on the hunt for exciting new talent to bring to the streets and venues of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Register your interest with the festival team with an introduction, links to your social accounts and a blurb about your performance style. We’re excited to meet you!

We’re looking for long term partners for the World Buskers Festival. If your organisation cares about community connections and contributing to Ōtautahi Christchurch being the best place to live, work and play – we’d love to chat.

You can speak with the festival directors here.

Please get in touch with our team here. We’d love your help in sharing our story.