About the Festival

Presenting the 17th annual World Buskers Festival...

I am delighted to introduce you to the World Buskers Festival 2010. While it may be new to you, it’s not new to the City of Christchurch, where the best buskers in the business have been coming from around the world for the past 17 years. Their performances enthral and entertain the public and brighten-up our squares and pavements every year.

This is the first year that the festival will run under the stewardship of the Christchurch City Council and we are proud to be able to ensure this hugely popular event remains in the Garden City for years to come. Christchurch is an events city and our residents have made it clear to the Council that they place great value in the number and variety of events and festivals the city offers each year. The World Buskers Festival consistently tops the list of our city’s favourite events. Residents and visitors alike are enjoy the hilarious antics of the world’s best buskers and we love the fact that it’s all happening out in the open, in our Central City streets and squares.

Each year, the 10 day festival attracts 300,000 visitors to Christchurch, all keen to experience the daring and hilarious antics of our buskers. The Central City comes to a standstill during the street performances and evening events allow us to secure a seat right next to the action. You’re sure to find something on the varied programme that suits you and I encourage you to head out and take-in as much of the action as possible.

Regards,
Bob Parker
Mayor of Christchurch

The 17th annual World Buskers Festival has the gamut of street, circus and comedy styles and shows all rolled into 11 days of non-stop fun and excitement.  Expect the unexpected from a line- up of talent that includes 44 of the world’s best acts from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Japan, Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.

Prepare yourself for a jam-packed performance schedule including more than 500 day and night performances at indoor and outdoor venues including the UC BUSKER PARK (Victoria Square), Cathedral Square, the MUSIC PITCH (City Mall), CIAL BUSKER COMEDY CLUB (North Quad, the Arts Centre) iSite LATE NIGHT WITH THE BUSKERS at The Bedford, COMEDY CABARET at Christchurch Casino, WBF SUMNER STAND UP (Sumner Community Centre), BUSKER KID PITCH (Peacock Fountain) and BUSKERS AT BRIGHTON.

The World Buskers Festival was recently acknowledged for its contribution to Christchurch and Canterbury when it won 'The Press' Supreme Award (small enterprise) and the 2009 Champion Host (small enterprise) at this year’s Champion Canterbury Awards. This achievement proves to us that Christchurch likes nothing better than a good laugh.

Thank you all for helping to make the World Buskers Festival a success and for having a great
sense of humour!

We’d like to tip our hats to our extraordinary sponsors and supporters – thank you.

Here’s to another great Festival.