15 Unusual Hens Night Ideas Christchurch
Hens party planning can be overwhelming if you are trying to please multiple guests and surprise the hen with an unusual, fun and special day. Luckily, Christchurch is full of exciting activities in stunning locations from beautiful wineries to hot pools or adventure parks.
We have collated our favourite ideas so you can take the stress out of planning and have the freedom to spend more time on the personal touches for your best friend.
1. Custom Hen Parties with Collective Concepts
Collective Concepts event planning is the ultimate worry-free way to ensure your hen’s party idea is perfected! From organising the guest list to finding your dream group venue and activities, Collective Concepts in Christchurch could have you covered.
2. Christchurch Adrenaline Activities
New Zealand is known as the adventure capital of the world so if the bride is an adrenaline junkie, you’re in the right place. Even if she’s not, a thrilling experience is a fun way to bring the bridal party closer together before the big day. Take a look at our favourite ventures around Christchurch:
1. Christchurch Adventure Park
This adventure park has it all; zip-lining, gondala rides, mountain biking trails and even a special events package. Fill your hen’s party day with incredible views over the Canterbury Plains, competitive games and even a delicious platter or party buffet all in one awesome place.
2. Jet Boating
Jet down the mighty Waimakariri river at hair-raising speeds with your Bridal tribe and get your hearts racing with 360-degree spins and drifts. Is there a better way to celebrate a life-long commitment than a wild expedition with your ladies? We don’t think there is! You can even book a package complete with a Kiwi BBQ overlooking the stunning river.
3. Bungy Jump
The bungy jump was invented in New Zealand so it should be on every Kiwi’s bucket list, right? Well, help the bride-to-be tick it off her list with a fun group to support her! A bungy jump would be a great start to the day, but you may need to get in some cheeky drinks to celebrate the bravery after.
4. Adrenalin Forest Obstacle Park
With over 100 Ariel fun challenges to complete, Adrenalin Forest Obstacle Park in Christchurch is the perfect place for a group venture. Head out of the city and take part in a bridal party team building course that is guaranteed to provide a few laughs.
3. Sip and Paint Painting Experience
Drink wine, gin or whatever takes your fancy as a Pinot & Picasso artist guides you to portrait success. A sip and paint class is a fun and interactive experience the whole group can take part in and create a lasting canvas to remember the hen party forever. From neon nights to drag queen art or painting portraits of each other, there is a class for everyone. Check out the hens parties packages, bring along your food and drinks and have a great time with your girls!
4. The Best Restaurants In Christchurch for Hen Groups
Most celebrations are not complete without incredible food, right? We don’t think so! Combine one of our activities with one of our best restaurant picks for hen groups:
1. The Monday Room
Feast on a European-style banquet with your hens at this exquisite dining experience. With 2 private function rooms and an option to “trust the chef” with your menu, you can be sure to dine in style at The Monday Room in the centre of Christchurch.
2. Evil Genius
An eccentric restaurant with regular after parties? Sounds like the perfect hens party venue! Devour creative and mouth-watering Asian share-plates paired with wine or cocktails before dancing the night away to live music or DJ sets.
3. Mexicano’s
If drinking margaritas with friends is the bride’s favourite pastime then Mexicano’s is the place to be for her hens party. Revel in authentic and vibrant tacos, quesadillas and ceviche in the heart of the city.
4. Dux Central
If you have multiple picky guests to please then Dux Central is a great option for a big group hen party. The venue boasts function rooms, a brew bar, craft gin bar, 1920s cocktail bar, Poplar social club and an event space with an outside balcony. Combine this with an easy, delicious and extensive food menu plus regular events and you have yourself an epic hens party idea!
5. Christchurch Party Boat Cruise
Plan your whole day to take place on a party boat cruise along Lyttelton Harbour in Christchurch for a stress-free hens party idea. With a fully licensed bar, packages including food and the guarantee of a stunning scenic backdrop, the bride can relax and enjoy her day.
6. Cooking Class
If the bride-to-be is a foodie then a cooking class may be an awesome hen party idea. Learn a new culinary skill together that will provide ideas for many future dinner parties. But, more importantly, have fun, drink wine and eat whilst you do it. Christchurch is the home to many cooking schools, from Asian garden cooking to French delights so you can be sure to find a flavour for everyone.
7. Christchurch Murder Mystery Party
It’s not your average activity on a hens party ideas list, but let us tell you why the Christchurch murder mystery party venue is a winner:
- It is a comedy-based show – who doesn’t want to laugh on a hens night?
- You can dress up in 70’s costumes – nothing screams hens party more than fancy dress!
- It includes a delicious 3-course dinner – once again, it’s not a celebration without food, is it?
- You get a puzzling murder to solve as you all stay in character – all of your entertainment is taken care of, even if you do have to be suspicious of each other.
- You get to ride a spooky horror tram – this one doesn’t need explanation, that’s just cool.
8. Make-Up Workshop
Is your bride a make-up person? Loves all the new trends, getting creative and dressing up? Then plan for her a make-up workshop party before you head out! Book a group make-up session in the afternoon or evening and learn cool tricks from perfecting the smokey eye to contouring like a pro. Without a doubt, she will feel special.
9. High Tea Experience
A sophisticated high tea is a great way to send your friend off to their married life. Dine in elegant style on exquisite British style high-tea sandwiches, cakes, pastries and even champagne. Christchurch is home to various tearooms with excellent service for groups.
10. Cocktail Making Class
A cocktail making class is always fun because you learn a skill and get to drink the end result. With many cocktail venues in Christchurch, booking a class for your fun hens party is easy! You could pick up some bartending tricks and show off your new moves at any future party too.
11. Christchurch Wine Tours for Hen Parties
The North Canterbury region is internationally renowned for excellent wine and has some of the most beautiful wineries in New Zealand. From Christchurch, you can book a group tour for a hen party then relax knowing all the logistics are taken care of. Jump on board the wine tour van, visit a number of wineries for a cheeky few samples, share a delicious platter of local food and spend your time bonding with the hens.
12. He Puna Taimoana Hot Pools
Take the opportunity to create a tranquil hens day for the bride-to-be and relieve some stress from wedding planning. At just a 15-minute drive from Christchurch city, He Puna Taimoana hot pools is a great place to ensure your friend is serene and calm ahead of her big day.
13. Lord of the Rings Tour
This is a no brainer for any bride LOTR fan. Join an expedition to Middle-Earth and feast your eyes on the majestic Endoras alpine scenes, the capital city of the Rohan people. Complete with an off-road van, full commentary or short hike in the stunning location, this is a journey any Lord of the Rings fan would not want to miss. Just don’t forget to pack your elevenses.
14. Party Bus
Combine 14 and 15 into one epic hens party and you will definitely impress the bride! Wind your way through the streets of Christchurch as you crank up the tunes, open the champagne and dance the night away with your friends.
15. Dance at the Best Clubs In Christchurch
Christchurch is not like any other standard city. Its cool, vibrant and unusual clubs will make your hens night idea stand out. Some of our favourites include:
1. Fat Eddies
Boasted as New Zealand’s favourite jazz club, Fat Eddie’s is far from a sedate blues bar. Book a hens night at this awesome venue and settle in for a wild night of live band karaoke, drinking cocktails, eating gourmet burgers and dancing with friends.
2. Hide
Smash out the dance moves at this purpose built, huge nightclub in the heart of Christchurch city. With local and international DJs performing every weekend and private event spaces, you could be onto a gem of a hens party at Hide.
3. Deja Vu Nightclub
Deja Vu is a nightclub like nothing you have seen before and it will impress your hens for sure. With a variety of arcade machines, 9 VIP booths, a world class dance floor and DJs, they are built for planning events in style. Finish your hen party here to end the day on a high!
Hens Night FAQS
Does the mother of the bride go to the hen party?
The mother (and future mother-in-law) of the bride should only be invited by choice of the bride and may only want to attend the calmer events of the hen party, such as high tea, dinner or a sip and paint session.
Why is it called hens night?
Historically, the word ‘hen’ did not always mean female chicken, it could mean the female of any bird. Over time, the word ‘hen’ was used for ladies and so a ‘hen party’ was a party exclusive to ladies. People do assume ‘hen’ and ‘stag’ originate from social gender stereotypes but it is a common misconception.
Who is traditionally invited to a hen party?
It is a polite rule of thumb to only invite actual wedding guests to the hen party but the guest list is ultimately a matter of personal choice. Traditionally, only close female friends were permitted to attend a hen party, but this has evolved to include close male friends, siblings, cousins and mothers depending on the bride’s choice.
Book a sip and paint session with Pinot & Picasso
Pinot & Picasso sip and paint hens party could be the stress-free idea you are looking for! Browse our range of hens night packages to tailor the party to your needs and join us at our Christchurch studio for a night she won’t forget. Why not make her day even more special with unique additions like a drag queen host and a Paint the Bride session?
