This week’s HOT SPOT

Christchurch Christchurch’s world-famous World Buskers Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The World Buskers Festival has come a long way since Jodi Wright and Vicki Buck conceived the idea after a rogue busker gatecrashed the city’s Festival of Flowers in 1993.

Starting out with just a few local and international performers, it is now New Zealand’s largest outdoor festival – and this year it’s set to be bigger than ever.

More than 250,000 people are expected to hit up venues around the city for the 10-day festival, which runs from January 18-28.

Canterbury performer Sam Wills (aka Tape Face), who shot to international fame in 2016 after his appearance on America’s Got Talent, is one of the big hitters.

He’s being joined by superstar drag artist Ginger Minj and comedian Urzila Carlson.

Butt Kapinski’s comedic ‘‘film noir murder mystery’’ also sounds intriguing – The Scotsman described it as ‘‘immersive comedy like you’ve never experienced’’.

Head to the New Brighton Ampitheatre on Saturday, January 27, for a day of free performances, and to the North Quad at the Arts Centre where, for a $5 donation, you can check out a different line-up of performers each night.

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For more info, visit worldbuskers festival.com.