Open Christchurch is calling on curious neighbours, inquisitive passers-by, building owners and tenants, design professionals and architecture lovers to nominate notable buildings that they think are worth celebrating during the festival weekend of 1-3 May 2026.

The one-weekend-only celebration of architectural excellence returns for its sixth edition on 1-3 May 2026 to shine the light on Christchurch’s buildings and landscapes of architectural, cultural and historical significance.

The festival has grown from strength to strength since its 2021 inception, with increasing and diversifying participation from both attendees and collaborators indicating a widespread and genuine desire to discover and explore the city’s special spaces.

Te Pūtahi director, Jessica Halliday says, “This is an opportunity for anyone to help shape Open Christchurch. We welcome nominations from anybody with a passion for architecture and the city. Has your curiosity been piqued by a specific building in your neighbourhood? Do you know a special building well and think others should get to experience it? If so, we would love to hear from you.”

This is a chance for anyone to nominate places of significance or curious buildings that call to be explored. Festival organisers, Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making, will consider the nominated sites for inclusion in Open Christchurch 2026.

The nominations’ process is simple. It just requires permission from the building owner or occupier. Being nominated is not a commitment to participate in Open Christchurch 2026. 

The final selection of buildings and sites will be decided by Te Pūtahi’s Building Council. They’ll consider a host of factors, including but not limited to design excellence, rarity, contribution to the city’s history and sense of place, significance to Māori architecture and history, innovation, sustainability and heritage significance.

Open Christchurch offers attendees the chance to explore and experience great design first-hand, through special access to buildings. Festival organisers welcome public nominations, seeing them as means for more people to contribute to and inform this experience.

The nominations form and the complete list of building criteria can be found on the Open Christchurch website. Nominations close on 22 August 2025.

See more from Open Chirstchurch.