Vintage vibes galore at Whanganui’s biggest street party!

Mainstreet Caboodle transforms Whanganui’s heritage-filled town centre into an outdoor carnival celebrating all things vintage!

With live music across three stages, roving street performers throughout the CBD, a vintage toy market, fine food and fashion, and an array of stunning classic automobiles lining the streets – it’s no wonder they call Caboodle Whanganui’s biggest party.

So don your favourite vintage attire, grab your steampunk goggles and join us for a day of revelry in New Zealand’s most beautiful little city!

Embark on a nostalgic journey to the past at Drews Avenue, as part of the Whanganui Vintage Weekend.

Savor delectable cuisine from local vendors, and sway to the rhythms of live vintage music. Immerse yourself in captivating theatre performances and capture timeless memories in our vintage photo booths.

Admire a stunning display of vintage vehicles and step back in time for a day of unforgettable experiences.

Kia ora, and join us for a vintage extravaganza!

Where: Drews Ave, Whanganui
When: 10am - 5pm
Price – Free entry

Enjoy the mighty spectacle of Wheels on Victoria displaying all types of vehicles with something to interest everyone.

Vehicles include vintage cars, commercials, hot rods, motorbikes & classic racing cars. The display covers three blocks of Victoria Avenue from Ridgway Street to Ingestre Street with over 400 vehicles usually attending.

Come along, revive your memories & see some vehicles you haven't seen for a long time. Some cars will be over 100 years old!

The park up is open to any vehicle that is quirky or different, be it a vintage car, Classic Car, Hot rod or just a car an owner thinks is a bit different or has something to offer.

Cars will be parked from 8.00am - Enter through Maria Place.

Where - Victoria Avenue
When -  10am - 4pm
Price - Free

Our weekly markets on Saturday morning takes on a theme of nostalgia for the day as our stallholders bring out their old treasures to add to their wares.

There is plenty of things vintage to check out as you wander through the stalls with friends and family, and enjoy some delicious street food as you watch the river go by.

Our producers, growers and makers make it easy for you to put together some local treats as you head out to enjoy the rest of your day.

Where - Downtown Riverbank, Taupo & Moutoa Quay
When - 8.30am - 1pm
Entry - Free

A diverse group of artists displaying a great variety of art covering all mediums and styles. Oils, Watercolours, Acrylics, Pastels, Pencil Work and Mixed Media. There is a great selection for all tastes. Over Saturday & Sunday, some artists will be painting in the rooms. Come and see our great variety of art and meet some of our artists. All works are for sale and Eftpos is available. This group of artists paints weekly at Christ Church Community Hall, Wickstead Street, every Thursday and we welcome new members to join this friendly group.

Where - Whanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Whanganui
When – 9am – 4pm
Price - Free entry

Want to learn the heritage craft of art glass? Learn the basic art of hot glass by making your own paperweight. Whether you come alone or with a group, you will have a fun and memorable experience. No prior skills are required, just your creativity and enthusiasm.

Where - New Zealand Glassworks, 2 Rutland Street
When - 10am–4pm

The paperweight workshop is a one-on-one 30-minute session. If you would like to attend with another person or group, you must book into different sessions throughout the scheduled day. Please note the workshop is for ages 15+ & bookings are non-refundable.

Price - $145.00 per person. To reserve your spot sign up through the NZG website today!

Book via the link below, email info@nzglassworks.com or call 06 927 6803

Presented by The Freemasons Foundation, Great Opera Moments is an opportunity to be enchanted and entertained by the students of the New Zealand Opera School. A fantastic final show, wrapping up the Whanganui Opera Week.

It will be an evening of evocative arias staged in a magical way at the Royal Whanganui Opera House. Our aim is to give you pure operatic pleasure.

Where - Royal Whanganui Opera House, 69 Street Hill Street, Whanganui
When – Doors from 7pm - Show starts 7.30pm till 10pm - includes an interval.
Price - $41.00 Student, $51.00 Adult (all tickets include a programme)

Tickets available from RWOH Box Office (Monday to Friday 10am-1.30pm) and online via the link below.

Come and see working examples of the machines that powered the industries of New Zealand and the world 100 + years ago.

Take a trailer ride behind one of our beautifully restored old steam driven traction engines and soak up the sight, sound and smell of a time long past. See live steam traction engine models chuffing around just like their big cousins did. 

Where - Taupo Quay, Moutoa Gardens, CBD
When – 10am – 4pm
Price - $2 a ride

Join us on the river this Whanganui Vintage Weekend for a nostalgic 30 minute cruise through our beautiful city.

Learn all about one of New Zealand’s most important early transport networks. Suitable for all ages and four-legged friends are welcome.

Where - 1H Taupo Quay. (Cr Taupo Quay and Bates Street).
When - 10am to 4pm
Price - Adults (16+) $10 Children (0-15) $5

Gate sales ONLY. Cash and EFTPOS accepted.

Stroll through our shed and view the restoration of the old East Town steam crane, locomotives and carriages.

There are also a number of railway historical and memorabilia items on display such as signalling equipment, lamps and lanterns etc.

Where - 151 Taupo Quay
When - 10am - 4pm
Price - Free

Cooks Art Gallery and our Art Society have been in existence for over 100 years. Thus our unique activity is to re-create an old Whanganui street & workshop experience.

Visitors will be able to admire, browse and shop in a variety of early 1900's shops, including books, toys, motorcycle parts, china, clothing, linen, steam punk, jewelry and art. Alongside that our back Gallery we will provide the opportunity to experience an art workshop focusing on still life using a variety of media.

Where - Cooks Gallery, Trafalgar Place, off Ridgway St.
When - Gallery 10am–4 pm, Society Workshop Sessions 10.00am, 1pm & 3pm
Price - Free to view - Workshop participation $5

A vintage themed cruise falling on the same weekend as Whanganui's famous Vintage Weekend! Passengers are encouraged to dress vintage style. Your cruise leaves the Riverboat Centre Wharf and heads upriver taking in the scenery and views of Whanganui and Te Awa Tupua, the Whanganui River. 

Where – Paddle Steamer Waimarie  - 1A Taupo Quay, CBD.
When – 11am – 1pm

PRICE
$53 Adults Ages 16+

$48 Local Adults Ages 16+ • Proof of residency required - please present your recent rates, electricity or landline/broadband account at check-in

$19 Children Ages 5 to 15

$44 Seniors Ages 65+ • Seniors Supergold Concession card holders only - please present your Supergold card at check-in

$123 Family Pass 2 Adults + 2 Children (Ages 5-15) • 4 people required to book.

Free Infants Ages 4 and under

Hobby horsing will be trotting out again this vintage weekend. Kids and adults events are the stable, including freestyle dressage, show jumping and steeplechase.

Expect an unbridled display of costumes, fancy footwork and athleticism. It would be foelish to miss out. There will be prizes up for grabs! Limited spots will be available on the day, so sign up early to avoid be saddled with disappointment.

Find Hobby Horsing NZ on Facebook or contact hobbyhorsingnz@gmail.com to enter.

Where - Rutland Street / Drews Ave
When - 11am - 5pm
Price - Free

Take a trip back in time to the early 1900's and enjoy a ride along the riverbank on our restored 1912 Whanganui Tram. We will also be offering rides on an 1960's ex London Double Decker Bus over the weekend as well. Bus & Tram times to be advised. 

Where - Whanganui Tramways Museum - Taupo Quay adjacent to the Whanganui I-site
When - 3pm - 5pm
Price - $5 for adults, youth up to 15 are free with adult accompaniment

Grab your ticket and join us on board the historic PS Waimarie, step back in time and enjoy an evening of good tunes and a two hour heritage cruise on the beautiful Whanganui River! Our entertainment is the fantastic Andrew London Trio. Your first refreshment is on us. Bar on board!

Where - PS Waimarie - Whanganui Riverboat Centre, 1A Taupo Quay, Whanganui
When – Cruises boarding at 5.30pm - Departing at 6pm until 8pm

Price - Two hour Jazz Cruise tickets $80 each

To book – Visit https://www.waimarie.co.nz/event-cruises/jazz-cruises or on site at the Whanganui Riverboat Centre. Social media https://www.facebook.com/Waimarie.co.nz/

The Classic Cruise is on again this Anniversary weekend! One of the established highlights of the Whanganui Vintage Weekend where the classic cars tour the whole town to encourage everyone to join the Vintage Weekend activities. Two routes are available, one slightly shorter, in town, and the other including a rural section. The Classic Cruise raises money for the Wanganui Cancer Society.

Entry is $15 per car which includes an entry into the fabulous Mitre 10 Mega sponsored draw after the cars arrive at The Barracks Bar, Saint Hill Street. Entrants receive the cruise route instructions as the run leaves the Mitre 10 carpark at 5.00pm.

This event is popular with entrants, the public & rest home residents who get to see the cars drive through there grounds. If you own a vintage, different or quirky vehicle or maybe just your everyday car but would like to be part of this fun event come along & join in.

Where - Cars assemble at Mitre10 Mega carpark
When - 4pm Assembly - 5pm Departure

Price - $15 per vehicle with proceeds going to the Cancer Society

Call Peter on 0212723444 for more details.

Experience the thrill of a 20 minute central city jet boat trip on the Whanganui River around the four bridges.

Where - Departs from boardwalk, Moutoa Quay. Whanganui Riverbank - Union Boat club
When - 10am - 3pm
Price - $30 adult $15 child (13 years and younger) 

To book phone 0800 945335 or email tours@whanganuiscenicjet.com.
Or, tickets available at departure point. 
Cash and eftpos available.

Terms & conditions: Please note all jet boat rides are subject to appropriate river and weather conditions, and we reserve the right to postpone or cancel for safety reasons.