Summer Is Calling. What Are You Doing With It?

Nothing? Classic… let us help!

Here’s your Four Avenues guide to making the most of the warm months in the city we back.

Christchurch in summer hits like an iced long black after a late night. Earlier mornings. Longer evenings. A city that finally feels alive enough to keep up with you.

So here’s the real question: what are you doing with all that daylight you swore you wanted?

This year, don’t say you’re making the most of summer. Prove it.

Pick up a new hobby

Nothing dramatic. Nothing that ends with you announcing you’re now a “creative”. Just something that makes you curious.

Grab a paint set from The Drawing Room. Pick up a film camera from Photo & Video. Start a herb and spice garden from Terra Viva and see if it survives your social calendar.

If you finish the hobby, great. If you don’t, at least you’ve got something to talk about at drinks.

Learn how to make sourdough

Because nothing says “I have my life together” quite like handing someone a loaf you made by scratch .

Your starter will look questionable. You will talk to it. You might even name it. This is normal.

But that first loaf? That’s the moment you enter a new social tier.

If you want some insider knowledge, the team at Grizzly Baked Goods knows their crumb better than anyone.

Train for and run the Christchurch Marathon

If you want a challenge with sweat, blood and tears, this is it. One early run through Hagley Park and suddenly you’re the person who trains before breakfast.

And here’s where it gets sweeter. We’re running a competition to fully sponsor your marathon entry. Entry fee. Running gear. A Four Avenues race day goody bag. Already signed up? We’ll reimburse you. Enter the draw here.

Need backup? Check out EP Coaching. They’re basically the difference between “I might try running” and “I just shaved four minutes off my last split”. Not to mention, right now she’s offering $50 off Christchurch Marathon training plans… talk about getting the inside scoop! Check out their website for all the details.

Be a tourist in your own city

Yes, you live here. No, you haven’t seen half of it.

Bike the river trail like you’re in a Visit Christchurch ad. Swim at Sumner Surf Life Saving Club’s beach. Lie under the big trees at the Botanic Gardens and call it “serious life admin”.

Try a café you always walk past. Six Ounces. C1. Something from our top 10 cafés blog if you need a shove.

Walk a suburb you’ve ignored for years. You might even find your new weekend spot. Or even one of our epic townhouses in the wild.

Reset your space

Because nothing says “new season, new me” like rearranging your bedroom at 10pm.

Clear one drawer. Move your bed. Paint a wall. Grab a plant from Frances Nation Grocer or a candle from Hapa and suddenly your place feels ten times more put together.

Small changes. Big shift. Zero effort required (unless it's a massive bookshelf being dragged across the room at midnight).

Your summer doesn’t need to be impressive or productive. It just needs to move you toward something that feels good. Towards something fun. Or back to something you forgot you loved.