The national memorial service will be held in Hagley Park from noon, to mark the disaster -- a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on February 22 -- that ripped the city apart and claimed about 180 lives.
Prime Minister John Key, and a number of high-level dignitaries from around the globe, including Prince William and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, will attend.
Christchurch's Anglican bishop, Victoria Matthews, who will lead the service, said yesterday it would give people not only the opportunity to remember those who died, but also a chance to mourn the "death of a city".
The first focus of the service was commemorating those who died and their families, Bishop Matthews said.
As part of mourning what had been lost, a "stark and shocking" video of the destruction caused by the quake would be shown to the crowd in Hagley Park.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the service was an opportunity for all in the city to stand together and grieve.
During the day, which is also a public holiday for the residents of the city, singers Hayley Westenra, Dame Malvina Major and Dave Dobbyn will perform.
Events are also taking place in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Dunedin, and New Zealanders empathising with the devastated city have so far raised millions to help its recovery.
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal has reached $17 million in the bank with another $12m pledged -- the money to deal with the gap between emergency support provided by other charitable agencies, and core government responsibilities.
The fund will invest in seven categories to restore communities: hardship and relief, heritage and culture, sport and recreation, education, spiritual and faith, economic revitalisation, environment.
Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission chairman Sir John Hansen said it would wind down its Emergency and Hardship Grant to finish on April 11, as the city was moving into recovery.
"Our immediate focus was on people living in their homes without power or water or sewerage, or people forced to leave their homes because they were deemed unsafe. These funds have helped many people get back on their feet quickly at a very difficult time. For those who have not yet applied, I encourage them to do so as quickly as possible."
The appeal has paid out over $9m in hardship grants to over 10,000 applicants.
The Red Cross will continue to operate its Bereavement Grant which pays $10,000 to the immediate family of those who are confirmed dead.
