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!

Majestic Square Stage - Performance Schedule

10.30am      Te Taikura o Te Awa Tupua Kapahaka
11.00am         Whanganui Jazz Orchestra
11.45am      Whanganui Highland Pipe Band
12.15pm      Whanganui Jazz Orchestra
1.00pm        The Funk Rockets
2.00pm        Brass Mob
2:30pm        Vintage Vogue

The Whanganui River Markets takes on the vintage theme for their hugely popular Saturday morning market. Dress up from your favourite era to visit and shop the way we used to, directly with the people who grow, produce, make and create their huge range of goods. Delicious street food, a farmers market section, art, crafts, plants, there are over 150 stalls with everything imaginable including lots of treasures from the past.

Where: Downtown Riverbank 9-23 Taupo Quay
When: 8.30am - 1pm
Price – Free entry, stall holder fee applies

A diverse group of artists displaying a great variety of art, covering all mediums and styles. Oils Watercolors, Acrylics, Pastel Pencil work, and mixed Media. There is a great selection for all tastes. All works are for sale & Eftpos is available. Gourmet raffle. This group meets every Thursday at Christ Church Hall Wickstead Street, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. We welcome new members from beginners to advanced to enjoy this friendly group.www.rivercityartists.co.nz.

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

The Whanganui Vintage Radio Museum is a fascinating collection of historical radios and related memorabilia. It showcases over 500 vintage radios, spanning the early 20th century through to the mid 1950s, offering visitors a glimpse into the evolution of radio technology and broadcasting. It's a must-visit for enthusiasts of radio technology and history.

Where - 50 Fox Road, Whanganui
When - 9am–5pm
Price - Koha appreciated

Wheels on Victoria is a free to view & enter display of all types of vehicles with something to interest everyone. Vehicles include Vintage Cars, Commercials Vehicles, Motorbikes, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars & Classic Cars. The display covers 3 blocks 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 100years old. Public viewing from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Vehicles arrive from 8.00am

Where - Ridgway to Ingestre Streets
When -  10am - 4pm | 8.00am Cars start arriving
Price - Free

The Drews Ave St Party is back for another year of Vintage Weekend action! Featuring a wide range of activities, displays and food vendors. Not to mention some of the best bars in Whanganui! There will be something for eveyone with activities like keg racing, hobby horsing, chalk art, competitions, face painting, vintage tractors & live entertainment. Close to markets and Victoria Ave. Dont miss it!

Where - Drews Ave
When - 10am–4.30pm
Price - Free

Park-up Drew’s Avenue area, for viewers. Early morning until Noon. Then a tractor run, park area up Somme Parade to Dublin Street Bridge. Over bridge and a park-up in Kowhai Park for tractors to re-group. Then down Anzac Parade to town bridge, back to park area on Drews.

Marshals will be posted along run route, to assist with traffic monitoring, and ensure safety for onlookers

Where - Drews Ave & Tractor Run around the bridges
When - 10am–12pm - Drews Ave Park Up | 12pm - Tractor Run & then back to Drews Ave until 4pm
Cost - Free to view

Contact Hugh if you'd like to enter a Tractor

Royal Enfield Motorcycles - Since 1901 - the oldest motorcycle brand in the world in continuous production. A range of retro classic 350, 500, 650cc machines are included in the display featuring the Bullet 350 (Since 1932) , 500 Classic, Interceptor 650, Continental GT 535 & 650cc machines, 350 and 650 Super Meteor, Shotgun 650, plus Himalayan 411 & 452 Adventure bikes. Chrome, retro, modern.

Where - Drews Ave
When - 10am–4.30pm
Cost - Free

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 - available on site

The Retro River Ride in Whanganui invites participants to enjoy a leisurely bike ride around the city's scenic bridges. Starting at 10 am, this event celebrates vintage and retro biking culture, with participants encouraged to bring their own classic bikes or borrow one from Green Bikes. Riders can dress in vintage attire, adding to the fun atmosphere. The event also features a pop-up museum at Green Bikes, showcasing the history of cycling in Whanganui, with the option for participants to display their own bikes. It's a great opportunity to celebrate cycling heritage and connect with the local community. There will be a prize for best dressed and best bike.

Where - 23 Drews Ave, Whanganui
When - Ride 10am–12pm | Bike Museum 12pm–4pm
Cost - Free

25 minutes from Whanganui City come and enjoy a Devonshire Tea, Afternoon Tea or go all out for a High Tea in the Beautiful Edwardian Homestead, all served on Bone China, linen and silver tea service. Drive your vintage car and dress for the occasion. The Homestead is surrounded by native bush and bird life, enjoy a stroll before or after refreshment at the Homestead. Fully Licenced Bar on site.

Where - Bushy Park Homestead. 791 Rangitatau East Road. Kai Iwi. Whanganui
When - 10am–4pm
Cost - Devonshire Tea $15 | Afternoon Tea $25 | High Tea $40

Book your table to ensure you don’t miss out. Bookings are essential! Call 06 342 9879

Whanganui Arts Society are recreating our gallery as it would have been in the 1900's when the society was established.The Shop will have for sale Art, Books, Materials, and antique easils. Also art works from our junior members, and available to enjoy real 1900’s art works... There's even an opportunity to make your own 1900's style art work.

Where - Cooks Gallery, Trafalgar Place, off Ridgway St.
When - 10am–4 pm
Price - Free entry

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.

Join Steam Incorporated on this special excursion train between Whanganui’s Eastown & Kai Iwi. Behind a combination of steam & diesel motive power, explore the famed stretch of track north of Whanganui!

Board our heritage train comprising of our steel carriages at Whanganui’s Eastown, on the corner of Eastown Road & Benefield St. With Ja 1271 at the front of the train, we make immediate headway northwest through the outskirts of Whanganui enroute to Kai Iwi. The fearsome Westmere Bank lies between us and Kai Iwi. This is a steep hill with a gradient of 1 in 35 on our ascent (that is 1 metre climbed for every 35 metres travelled horizontally) and up to 1 in 39 on our descent down the other side. Here you should really hear the engine working!

Just before we come into Kai Iwi, we are travelling on a relatively new part of the line called the Kai Iwi deviation. Completed in 2008, the deviation is just under a kilometre long and bypasses the old No.4 tunnel. See if you can spot some of the old route on our trip down the hill!

At Kai Iwi, it is now the Da’s turn to make the climb towards the top! After dropping back down the hill towards Eastown, disembark the train after a fun and nostalgic experience!

Where - Eastown Railstation
When - First departure at 10:15am, second departure at 12:05pm
Cost - $49 G.A | $179 Family

A Steam punk vintage themed cruise falling on the same weekend as Whanganui's famous Vintage Weekend! Passengers are encouraged to dress vintage style with spot prizes along the way for those dressed up. Your cruise leaves the Riverboat Centre Wharf and heads upriver taking in the scenery and views of Whanganui and Te Awa Tupua, once back at the wharf you can step off PS Waimarie into the atmosphere of the Vintage weekend festivities.

Where - Riverboat Centre, 1A Taupo Quay, Whanganui
When - 11am–1pm
Cost - Tickets from $20

Book your tickets via the button below, or visit the Riverboat Centre

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she's the girl whose enchanting voice he's been seeking. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Book by Doug Wright.  Based on the Hans Christia Andersen story and the Disney Film, Music Adapted and Arranged by David Weinstein. Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International - Tickets available from iTicket.

Where - Repertory Theatre - 4 Ridgway Street
When - 11am-12.30pm & 6pm-7.30pm
Cost - Adults $20 | under 18 $10

Climb onboard our heritage train, and travel between Whanganui’s Eastown & the small settlement of Ruatangata. Behind a combination of steam & diesel motive power, explore the unique stretch of track south of Whanganui!

Heading south behind our heritage diesel electric locomotive, we travel down through the Fordell Tunnel where our train plunges into darkness for a few minutes! As we escape the darkness, look out on the left hand side and see the Whangaehu River snaking it’s way through the countryside.

A little further down the track, we cross over the river on our approach to Ruatangata. A river firmly etched in New Zealand’s railway history, its headwaters are the crater lake of Mount Ruapehu on the central plateau, before flowing for 161 kilometres southward to the South Taranaki Bight near the settlement of Whangaehu.

At Ruatangata, our crew swap to the steam locomotive, and we get underway on a fantastic north bound excursion back to Whanganui! Listen to the noise of the steam locomotive as we gather pace through the rolling hills east of Whanganui, before arriving back into town. A fantastic afternoon for the family!

Where - Eastown Railstation
When - Departs at 1.55pm
Cost - $49 G.A | $179 Family

Durie Hill Elevator will offer special guided tours during Whanganui Vintage Weekend. A unique form of public transport, Durie Hill Elevator opened on August 2, 1919. Set into the hill, the 213 metre tunnel and 66 metre public transport elevator - staffed then as now by an operator, enable a short journey by foot or bicycle between Whanganui and Durie Hill. In the guided tours, visitors will see some of the capabilities of the newly installed tunnel lighting and displays, and hear more detail about the elevator story. Visitors will ride the elevator with a Whanganui Connection guide, and also see the famous Mercury Arc Rectifier.

Join the fabulous Fashion Show at Majestic Square and strut your stuff in your finest vintage attire. It's a golden opportunity to showcase your favourite era and dazzling style!

Our expert judges will pick winners in each category for a selection of fantastic prizes from esteemed Whanganui businesses. Register to be in the show or come along to check out the array of vintage looks. 

Where - Majestic Square Main Stage
When -  2:30pm
Cost - Free

Register via the button below, or show up on the day to register in-person

The Classic Cruise is on again this Anniversary weekend. Cars assemble in the Mitre 10 Mega carpark from 4.00pm. The Classic Cruise raises money for the Wanganui Cancer Society cost per vehicle is $15.00. Entrants receive the cruise route instructions as the run leaves the M10 carpark at 5.00pm. Assemble from 4.00pm. This event is popular with entrants, the public & rest home residents who get to see the cars drive through their 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 Rob on 027 433 2626 for more details.

A one-off evening train experience, alongside a beautiful meal. Hauled by Ja 1271, and comprising our heritage steel passenger cars including our open viewing platform.

Heading south, we travel down through the Fordell Tunnel where our train plunges into darkness for a few minutes! A little further down the track, we cross over that very same river on our approach to Ruatangata. A river firmly etched in New Zealand’s railway history, its headwaters are the crater lake of Mount Ruapehu on the central plateau, before flowing for 161 kilometres southward to the South Taranaki Bight near the settlement of Whangaehu. We also pass through the Turakina tunnel, just over 2km in length and dating back to 1947 as we approach Marton.

Arriving into Marton, a farming town in the heart of the Rangitikei district situated at roughly the half-way point geographically between Whanganui & Feilding. The arrival of the railway to the town in 1878 led to rapid growth in the area, which soon added industries such as engineering, sawmilling, and textile production to its economy.

Here at Marton, we will have a short time for you to disembark the train and collect a pre-packed meal from Sandy and her team at Hunterville’s Station Hotel. Offering a true country dining experience, enjoy your meal at your seat on our steam-hauled return journey back to Whanganui, with the option to travel all the way back into Taupo Quay if you so wish.

Where - Eastown Railstation
When - 4pm - 7.10pm
Cost - $99 Single | $169 Pair

Where heading back to the 1950's with the Andrew London trio, grab your ticket and enjoy an evening of good tunes and a 2-hour heritage cruise on the beautiful Whanganui River! Your first refreshment & nibbles are on us. Bar on board - Dress in your best 1950's attire for a chance to win the best dressed.

Where - Riverboat Centre, 1A Taupo Quay, Whanganui
When - 6pm–8pm
Cost - $90 each

Book your tickets via the button below, or visit the Riverboat Centre

Presented by The Freemasons Foundation, Great Opera Moments is an opportunity to be enchanted and entertained by the students of the School in their final Gala Concert. It will be an evening of arias staged in a magical way at the Royal Whanganui Opera House in collaboration with Putiki Wharanui Kapa Haka. 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 - $40.00 Student (includes programme); $50.00 Adult (includes programme)

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

Dancesport Wanganui are putting on a Vintage theme Ball featuring Double Click. BYO with a catered supper.

Where - Churton School Hall, Burma St, Whanganui
When - 7.30pm til late
Cost - $45 each

Payment on line to Wanganui Amateur Dance Assn 03-0791-0556194-00. Pick up tickets on night or collect from Helen 0211874997, or Shirley 0272104723.