Canterbury Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the First Four Ships in 1850 and the founding of the Canterbury Province. Though linked to December 16, it is now observed on the Show Day in November, marked by agricultural fairs, community events and a regional holiday.

When is Canterbury Anniversary Day?

Canterbury Anniversary Day is observed on the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November each year..

The following is the list of Canterbury Anniversary Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Canterbury Anniversary Day?

Canterbury Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the First Four Ships of settlers organized by the Canterbury Association.

On December 16, 1850, the Charlotte Jane, Randolph, Sir George Seymour, and Cressy arrived in Lyttelton Harbour carrying around 790 settlers from England. These settlers, mostly from the Church of England, were part of a planned colonization effort to establish a religious and agricultural community in Canterbury.

This moment is regarded as the founding of the Canterbury settlement, laying the foundation for the modern city of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

Under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, the Canterbury Province was formally established in 1853 with its own council and administrative powers. December 16 became the official provincial holiday, celebrating the founding of the province.

The provincial system allowed Canterbury to manage land, farming, and local infrastructure until the abolition of provinces in 1876.

Even after the end of provincial governments, Anniversary Days were preserved as regional public holidays. Canterbury Anniversary Day continued to be tied to December 16, but over time, the date of observance shifted.

To align with local traditions, Canterbury Anniversary Day began to be observed on the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November. This coincides with Show Day, the final day of the Canterbury A&P (Agricultural and Pastoral) Show, one of New Zealand's largest agricultural events. The change made the holiday more practical and festive, giving residents a long spring weekend linked to a major regional celebration.

Today, Canterbury Anniversary Day is a regional public holiday for Christchurch and North Canterbury (South Canterbury has its own anniversary day).