Christchurch and North Canterbury have a packed weekend ahead, with live music, international films, markets, sport, wedding inspiration and free family activities on offer.

Here are some of the events happening on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August.

Saturday

Go Live Festival

Christchurch Town Hall will come alive with 13 New Zealand acts performing across four stages from 7pm to 11pm.

The lineup includes Opshop, Push Push, Pluto, There’s a Tuesday, Volts, The Boondocks, The Eastern and Caitlin.

Ticketmaster was showing no availability on Friday afternoon, so this one is for those who already secured tickets.

Alex Warren at Wolfbrook Arena

Alex Warren will perform his second Christchurch concert at Wolfbrook Arena after another date was added due to demand.

Doors open at 6.30pm and the show starts at 7.45pm, with Alyssa Grace joining Warren as the supporting act.

The licensed all ages concert forms part of Warren’s Finding Family on the Road World Tour. Tickets remain available.

New Zealand International Film Festival

The main Christchurch programme of the New Zealand International Film Festival enters its final weekend at Lumière Cinemas and the Isaac Theatre Royal.

Saturday’s programme includes the Jonah Lomu documentary Lomu at 5pm, while Sunday offers the family screening Kiri and Lou go Raaa! at 10.15am and the festival’s final Isaac Theatre Royal film, Coward, at 7.30pm.

Some sessions have sold out or are selling quickly. The full weekend schedule is available online, with additional encore screenings continuing next week.

Riverlution Market

Richmond Community Garden will host the free Riverlution Market from 9am to 12.30pm.

Visitors can browse seasonal produce, artisan bread and handcrafted treats while enjoying live music and coffee beside the City to Sea Pathway and Avebury’s new playground.

The weekly market is held at Riverlution Cafe, 46A Vogel Street.

Art Matters

Founder and director of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces Kim Morton will speak about the role art and creativity can play in supporting mental health.

The free Art Matters talk begins at 11am in the Philip Carter Family Auditorium at Christchurch Art Gallery.

South Island Muscle and Model Classic

Some of New Zealand’s leading natural bodybuilders and fitness models will compete at the Aurora Centre from 10am.

The South Island Classic is a qualifying event for the New Zealand national championships, with competitors also chasing South Island titles and professional cards.

Book Fight Club

Comedy and literature collide when performer El Jaguar hosts Book Fight Club at the Arts Centre.

The show has been described as an unusual book club featuring arguments, games and literary chaos.

The event runs from 7pm to 8.30pm, with tickets priced at $25.

Sunday

House of Travel Expo

Canterbury residents dreaming of their next holiday can visit the House of Travel Expo at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

The free event runs from 10am to 3pm and will feature travel deals, destination experts, giveaways and presentations covering Europe, Asia, Africa and cruising.

People who register and attend can also enter a draw to win a seven night Vanuatu holiday for two. Free registration is available online.

Forest Run Fest

Runners and walkers will take to the trails of Bottle Lake Forest for the annual Forest Run Fest.

Participants can choose from a half marathon, 10 kilometre course, 5.5 kilometre event or a two kilometre race for children.

The courses include pine forest trails, gravel roads and open grass sections. Entries and event information are available online.

Rossburn Receptions Open Day

Couples planning a wedding can explore Rossburn Receptions and meet North Canterbury wedding vendors during a free open day.

The event runs from 11am to 1pm at Spark Lane in Rangiora, with canapés, drinks and live music also available.

A Winter Awakening

Canterbury Philharmonia will present an afternoon of Romantic orchestral music at The Piano from 2.30pm.

Conducted by Mark Hodgkinson, A Winter Awakening features works by Weber and Sibelius, with clarinet soloist Aadarsh Roy.

Tickets cost between $10 and $25, and the concert finishes at 4pm.