When is Christchurch Show Day?
Christchurch Show Day is a provincial holiday observed in Canterbury, New Zealand. The definition for the Canterbury Anniversary Day celebration as decided by Christchurch City is the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November each year.
History of Christchurch Show Day
The original anniversary day celebrated by the Canterbury Province was December 16th. Like several other provinces, this date marked the arrival of the first ships to the region. In Canterbury, the first two ships, the Charlotte Jane and the Randolph arrived on December 16th 1850.
The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Metropolitan Show is the largest agricultural and pastoral show in New Zealand and has taken place since 1859.
By at least 1918, the Friday of Show Week had become known as People's Day or Show Day. In the 1950s the official provincial holiday for the anniversary day of the province was changed from December 16th to the Friday of Show Week. This move allowed banks and businesses to close and for people from the region to attend the show.
The date for Show Day is the second Friday after the first Tuesday of November. This date avoids any clash with the Melbourne Cup which is held on the first Tuesday in November.
The anniversary day of Christchurch Show Day is observed in Central and North Canterbury. South Canterbury observes Dominion Day (the fourth Monday of September) as its anniversary day. It may be seen as strange for a province to have two anniversary days, but since many of the regions celebrate provinces that were abolished in 1879, it's not worth worrying about.
Provincial Days in New Zealand
The Holidays Act 1981 specifies each locality observing a Provincial Anniversary Day to celebrate the founding days or landing days of the first colonists of the various colonial provinces.
However, the exact dates are not legislated for. The actual observance days can vary even within each province and is due to local custom, convenience or the proximity of seasonal events or other holidays. This may differ from the official observance day and may be several weeks from the official day.
