TRAVELLING TO OPERA IN A DAYS BAY GARDEN February 2026
OPERA IN A DAYS BAY GARDEN
CANNA HOUSE, 24 MOANA ROAD, DAYS BAY,
We are situated in Moana Road, Days Bay, just where the road forks to Huia Road. We have a large old fashioned garden with plenty of picnic spots and a lawn and terrace which seat 200 people looking out into the garden of Canna House, where the opera will be set.
The opera will begin shortly after 6.45pm and the garden will open from 4:30pm. All seats will have a great view of the action and will be allocated on a general admission basis. The opera performance will have just short pauses between the acts and will end at approximately 8:45pm.
Dear Patron,
Thank you so much for booking to join us for Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles, in Days Bay, which we are performing on Thursday 12th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of February 2025.
I thought you may appreciate some practical details to assist you in planning your visit to Days Bay.
1. Venue: Canna House, 24 Moana Road Days Bay (the venue for all Opera in a Days Bay Garden productions). We shall be on hand to welcome and assist you. If you are coming by car, please be especially considerate to our kind neighbours and do not park on Moana or Huia Roads. You are most welcome to drop guests and picnics at the garden gate and we shall take care of them for you while you park on Marine Parade.
2. Dress: The performances of Les Pêcheurs de Perles will take place outdoors with picnicking in the gardens before the opera. We encourage you to dress up. The wise patron would also bring a sun hat for the picnic, the audience will face the house this year –– as well as something warm as the temperature can drop as the evening progresses.
3. Dining: You are welcome to bring your own picnic. Alternatively, you can pre-order a picnic,( this I will confirm shortly).
4. Arrival at Canna House: The garden gate will open at 4.30 pm. Upon arrival at Canna House you will be offered a glass of Seresin champagne (courtesy of Seresin Estate vineyard), and are welcome to set out your picnic spot in the lower gardens. Seating for the opera is on the lawn. We suggest that you bring a scarf or cushion to choose your seat.
5. Opera: The performance will begin at 6.45pm.The performance will conclude at approximately 8.45pm, with just short pauses between the acts.
6. Transport: The most relaxing way to visit the Opera on the opening night, Thursday 12th, is to avoid the traffic and come by ferry from Queen’s Wharf. https://eastbywest.co.nz/queens-wharf-days-bay-service.
To me it seems like the best Thursday ferry would be the 4.30pm from Queen’s Wharf and the best weekend service would be the 4.00pm ferry from Queen’s Wharf. Unfortunately East by West Ferries are no longer offering a scheduled late night sailing back to Queen’s Wharf after the opera, however I would be happy to charter a service if I had enough interest in the return sailing. So please email me on [email protected] if you are interested in a return sailing and I will endeavour to organise it.
7. Special arrangements: If you have any other particular needs or questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call on 021 0694969.
8. Meteorology: Of course the sun always shines on Days Bay Opera, and our location is particularly sheltered. Nevertheless, you will appreciate that the weather is outside our control. We do not cancel a performance unless it is absolutely necessary. In the event that we do have to cancel a performance for weather, there are no refunds, but we undertake to make alternative arrangements for you to see the show. The evening of Friday 13th February & Monday 16th February are set aside for this purpose. No decision will be taken to cancel a performance until 2.30pm on the day, in which event we shall email you forthwith and post a note on our home page.
I look forward to welcoming you to this unique opportunity to experience Les Pêcheurs de Perles in our beautiful garden setting.
Affectionately yours,
Rhona Fraser
Producer
Opera in a Days Bay Garden
DRESS CODE: Garden Les Pêcheurs de Perles
I love the idea of people dressing up for the opera, but just as you would have to be prepared for cooler evening temperatures at The Globe or Regents Park Outdoor Theatre, here in Days Bay, you will probably need a sun hat and sunglasses for the picnic and a warm jacket for later on during the opera. When the sun goes down the odd insect wakes up so insect repellent may be good in your bag as well. We provide plastic chairs for the opera on the lawn and terraces, but you may bring a cushion to make them more comfortable. You may bring your own picnic furniture or rugs for your picnic as well.
ARRIVING BY CAR IS ALWAYS AN OPTION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DROP PASSENGERS AND PICNIC OFF AT THE GATE AND THEN PARK ON MARINE DRIVE, DAYS BAY.