Riverside Birthday

Every September, Riverside Market celebrates another year of being part of the Christchurch community with our annual Birthday & Anniversary Celebration!

This much-loved yearly event brings the market to life with a weekend of FREE family-friendly entertainment, activities, food and festivities, giving our traders, visitors and wider community the chance to come together and celebrate another year of Riverside.

🤹‍♂️ A CIRCUS-INSPIRED CELEBRATION

Each year, our Birthday Celebration embraces a circus or carnival-inspired theme, reflecting the lively, colourful and vibrant atmosphere that makes Riverside so special.

The theme brings an extra sense of fun, energy and excitement to the market, with playful entertainment, colourful activities and plenty of festive touches that make Riverside feel like a celebration for the whole community.

🎪 FAMILY FUN & ENTERTAINMENT

Visitors can look forward to a variety of FREE activities and entertainment throughout the celebration, which may include:

  • 🚂 Annual Peace Train rides

  • 🧁 Cupcake decorating

  • 🎨 Face painting

  • 🎈 Balloon twisting

  • 🤡 Roaming entertainers and clowns

  • 🎶 Live music and performances

  • 🐐 Petting zoo and animal experiences

  • 🧁 Our impressive towering cupcake masterpiece

  • 🍴 Food and drink specials from Riverside traders

The programme changes each year, with new activities and surprises added to keep the celebration fresh and exciting.

🎂 CELEBRATING RIVERSIDE & OUR COMMUNITY

Our Birthday Celebration isn't just about Riverside Market — it's about the people who make Riverside what it is.

It's a chance to celebrate our incredible traders, the local businesses that call Riverside home, the performers and community groups who join us, and the visitors who continue to support the market year after year.

The celebration also gives us an opportunity to recognise important milestones within our wider Riverside community, including anniversaries and special achievements.

🎈 A YEARLY RIVERSIDE TRADITION

The Riverside Birthday & Anniversary Celebration takes place every September, making it one of our biggest annual celebrations.

With FREE family entertainment, activities, great food, live performances and plenty of surprises, it's a weekend for the whole community to come together and celebrate another year of Riverside.

Every September, we celebrate another year of Riverside — and we want you to be part of it!

Calire Ordonez