Christchurch is known for its picturesque beauty, vibrant atmosphere, and particular English feel. In keeping with this duality, its spaces for gala dinners are elegant and warm, boasting venues that thrive amidst breathtaking views of the city or sit on the cusp of lush greenery. The diversity presents a challenge for choosing the perfect dinner venue, but we have found the 10 best that Christchurch has to offer, whether you’re planning an intimate night to celebrate a launch or hosting a fundraiser for hundreds. You can find even more venue options in our complete guide to Christchurch venues.

Larcomb Vineyard

Image by Smoke Photography

A charming red barn venue adorned with vines and greenery, Larcomb Vineyard offers the best of Canterbury hospitality and charm. This Christchurch venue has three dynamic spaces, including The Big Barn, pictured above. Full of character, The Big Barn has exposed beams and a high ceiling - seating up to 250 guests. 

The Tannery

Image by The Tannery

The Tannery, Christchurch’s boutique retail + dining precinct, becomes a magical event complex after hours. Featuring beautiful architecture and detailing, The Tannery includes four main event spaces. The Atrium is an elegant space featuring French tiling, stained glass and a translucent roof. The Atrium hosts gala dinners with 100 to 350 guests, offering a deep sense of grandeur. 

Chateau on the Park, Hilton

Image by Chateau on the Park, Hilton

Chateau on the Park, courtesy of DoubleTree by Hilton, is settled on 5 acres of a beautiful property, complete with a moat, its very own vineyard and a gorgeous rose garden. It gives the illusion of a faraway venue with all the privacy in the world; in reality, it’s barely 3km from the centre of Christchurch. There are 9 spaces within this luxurious hotel for your Christchurch gala dinner: Great Room 1, Great Room 2 and Great Room 3 (all of which can be combined to accommodate up to 340 guests), as well as Camelot, Tower Room, Ballantyne, Boardroom, Turret Room and The Den Bar Lounge. Chateau on the Park is renowned for its attention to detail, professionalism and elegance, making it a premier gala dinner venue option in Christchurch.

Haere-Roa

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Haere-Roa invites you to host a stunning gala dinner in their multitude of spaces. As a versatile venue just minutes from the city centre, it sports a series of spaces to choose from, including the Ti Kouka, Foundry, Foyer, Room of Equipment and Bentley's. Endlessly flexible, these spaces host anywhere from 30 to 300 guests, making them ideal for your upcoming Christchurch gala dinner. Haere-Roa is also available for hire as a whole, in which case you're able to host around 1000 guests. A key feature of Haere-Roa is the iconic Ngaio Marsh Theatre, re-imagined for future generations. No matter how large or small your event, this Christchurch venue is here to make sure that your gala dinner is a seamless experience.

Mona Vale

Image by Mona Vale

Mona Vale specialises in hosting incredible functions with a personal touch. After a $3.2 million rebuild, Mona Vale reopened its doors in 2016 and has since bloomed into one of Christchurch’s premier garden venues. The Victorian building has been restored to its former prestige, settled on 5.5 hectares of garden park. Choose to have your gala dinner in the building itself, with canapés and flutes of champagne on the patio, or make your way over to Iris Lawn, right beside the sparkling Avon River for a special event in their marquee. Mona Vale also offers in-house catering, with a canapés menu, seated choice menu and platter-style menu for you to choose from. Their catering team has over 50 years of experience, known all over Christchurch and Canterbury for their incredible dishes and attention to detail. As an added bonus, they have the option of including lawn games for your guests, from croquet and quoits to giant Jenga.

Papa Hou Theatre

Image by Papa Hou Theatre

Step into Papa Hou Theatre for a gorgeous gala dinner in Christchurch. This flexible venue offers more than 5 rooms for your upcoming gala dinner, boasting a wide range of layouts and facilities for your use. Choose between their studios, Board Room and Conference Room for your event, or, if desired, exclusively hire out the entire space for up to 250 guests. This is a Christchurch venue that is beloved for its adaptability and community-driven heart, catering to gala dinners of varying sizes and allowing full control of catering. Credit to their fantastic acoustics, top-notch audiovisual equipment and experienced team, you'll find yourself in the best of hands at Papa Hou Theatre.

Ōnuku Marae

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Hold your Christchurch gala dinner moments away from the colourful township of Akaroa and just over an hour's drive away from Christchurch. One of the largest event, conference and noho marae-style accommodation facilities on Banks Peninsula, Ōnuku Marae is here to infuse a unique and fascinating cultural experience into your gala dinner, celebrating in style with the warm hospitality of Christchurch. There are multiple spaces to choose from, including the Ancestral House, Dining Room and Ōnuku Church, accommodating anywhere from 10 to 350 guests. Ōnuku Marae is the ideal Christchurch venue for your upcoming gala dinner, flexible and atmospheric, with top-notch service and facilities, as well as a team ready to help you plan and manage the details of your event from start to end.

Riccarton House

Image by The Quarters

Built in 1856, Riccarton House is a Victorian-styled masterpiece with an exquisite atmosphere matched by its illustrious background. Flanked by lush parks and gardens, and resting alongside the Ōtākaro River, this gala dinner venue is a testament to the classic history of Christchurch. Choose from 4 event spaces, one of which is set on 12 acres of parkland in an elegant marquee. Riccarton House can host up to 300 of your guests.

Wigram Base Hotel

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One of Christchurch’s most historic venues, the Wigram Base Hotel was built in 1938 and has served as a home for official events ever since. Once the base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, its atmosphere retains the refined nature it has nurtured for the last century, framed by sprawling emerald laws and art deco. It has a series of venues for you to choose from depending on the scale of your event, seating anywhere from a comfortable knitting of 15 to a flourishing party of 150.

Links Function & Events 

Image by Links Functions & Events

Recently constructed at the acclaimed Christchurch Golf Club, this venue is a modern accomplishment of polished beauty. With floor to ceiling glass offering panoramic views of the Shirley Links golf course and facilities for catering up to 230 guests, this venue is an ideal space for a sparkling affair. French doors unfold to allow an easy flow of open space, with the Charles Gallery just upstairs for more intimate gatherings. The menu specialises in locally-sourced produce.

Hinton’s

Image by Magda Blaha

Set alongside a vineyard, Hinton’s is a family-owned venue that excels in creating a quaint atmosphere. It has two venues to choose from: the Tasting Room, for smaller gatherings, with a more rustic, cosy feel; and the Villa, able to host up to a 100 guests and offering a unique and charming setting for a gala with its rolling gardens. The Villa was built in early 1920 and has since been restored, with grapevine views and acres of green grass. Additionally, Hinton’s specialises in their choice of wines and have an award-winning selection to recommend.

Tai Tapu Hotel

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Established in 1856, Tai Tapu Hotel brings with it a rich history and a richer atmosphere. With its down-to-earth colouring and country charm, this venue provides the allure of fresh air and the quintessence of Christchurch life. The venue is built on the stables, with cedar doors opening into a wide, light space, and folding doors at the back leading into a private patio that overlooks the Tai Tapu Golf Club and the serene Halswell River. Its nostalgic vibe coupled with its organic setting makes for a welcoming air necessary for every event.

The George

Image by The George

A luxury boutique hotel, The George is located in the heart of Christchurch, offering views of Hagley Park and River Avon. It has won a multitude of awards and is proudly the best of the best when it comes to venues and event planning. The venue can cater up to 160 guests and has 6 different function rooms to choose between. Modern and sleek, it has a contemporary finish to it that blends seamlessly into the heart of any event, from cocktail to product launch.

Spice Paragon

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If exoticism is what you’re looking for to add flair to your gala, Spice Paragon is the answer. Catering up to 150 guests, this colourful venue delights in creating the perfect menu and atmosphere for your event. Combining traditional Thai spices and modern needs, this space rests between a passionate expression of the Far East and the traditionality of Christchurch. Their menus are tailor-made to suit your tastes.

Peppers Clearwater Resort

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Often referred to as a classic New Zealand landscape, Peppers Clearwater Resort is surrounded by the tranquillity of nature. Overlooking the glassy waters of Lake Kaikainui, with mountain views painting the skyline, the venue offers contemporary spaces for events, dinners and meetings. There are 4 rooms in total to choose from, and the space can host up to 240 guests.

Curator’s House

Image by Christchurch Attractions

In the midst of Botanic Gardens, the Curator’s House rests with its wealth of beauty and Spanish influence. The house is Tudor-styled, with enclosed gardens and courtyards resting near the Avon River. The venue allows for intimate parties, but also easily accommodates up to 150 guests depending on which one of the 12 locations you choose. With the menu prepared by their award-winning chef from Barcelona, the Curator’s House prides itself on its Spaniard touch.