Whanganui will have events on for the whole family to choose from this holiday weekend. Photo / Erin Smith
Whether you’re keen for a beach trip, hoping to finally wear that vintage outfit or feel like kicking back to some country music, there are plenty of things to do this Wellington Anniversary Weekend.
Reporter Erin Smith takes a look at some of the many activities on this weekend in and around Whanganui.
1. Celebrate with New Zealand Opera School at Great Opera Moments Gala Concert
Enjoy an evening of operatic splendour sung by the students of the NZ Opera School as they perform their final Gala Concert on Saturday.
Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm at the Royal Whanganui Opera House.
The concert will showcase all of the school’s students and their operatic talent. Tickets, available online at the Whanganui Vintage Weekend website, are $50 for adults and $40 for students.
2. Ride through the countryside on a vintage steam train
Whanganui Vintage Weekend will have a series of steam-incorporated locomotives in town over the weekend, offering rides through the countryside.
On Saturday, the Kai Iwi Trekker will depart from 151 Taupō Quay and follow the scenic tracks to Kai Iwi. Departures are at 8.50am, returning at 11.10am, and 11.15am, returning at 1.50pm.
The Ruatangata Wanderer departs from 151 Taupō Quay on Saturday at 1.45pm, returning at 4.05pm. This steam-incorporated engine will travel south to the settlement of Ruatangata, going through the historic Fordell Tunnel.
Tickets are available on the Vintage Weekend website for $49 per person or $179 for the family deal. Under-2s ride for free.
The Vintage Steam and Cuisine ride leaves from Taupō Quay at 4pm on Saturday and returns at 7.10pm. This vintage train ride offers a catered meal along with the chance to disembark in Marton.
Tickets are $99 per person, meal included; under-2s free.
On Sunday, the Feilding Flyer leaves from Taupō Quay at 8.25 am and returns at 3:30pm. Tickets are $99 per adult, $69 for children under 12 and free for under-2s.
3. Enjoy a guided tour and ride on the Durie Hill Elevator
The 1919 Durie Hill elevator will offer guided tours each day of Vintage Weekend. Explore the depths of the 213m tunnel with lighting and displays, leading to the 66m public transport elevator. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the historic lift while taking a ride and seeing the famous Mercury Arc Rectifier – a unique power-generator which was installed to power the elevator in the 1950s.
Tours are at 1pm and 2pm on Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday. Tickets are available online at the Durie Hill Elevator website – adult tickets for $20.75, youth 18 or under for $14.50, and infants 3 or under free.
Discounts for families and Whanganui residents are available.
4. See a performance of Shrek Jnr at Repertory Theatre
Ogres, donkeys and princesses will take to the stage at the Repertory Theatre in Shrek Jnr the musical.
On Saturday and Sunday, the show will be on at 11am and 6pm. Tickets are available online at the Vintage Weekend website or through the Repertory Theatre, $20 adults and $10 children.
The musical adaptation of the Dreamworks classic, based on the book by William Steig, will have laughs and tunes for the whole family.
5. Visit Marton Country Music Festival
The 2026 Marton Country Music Festival returns for its 21st year. The three-day festival, which started on Friday, hosts country music stars including Australia’s Amber Joy Poulton, Kiwi legend Brendan Dugan and Whanganui’s Sophie Toyne.
The festival is at Sir James Wilson Memorial Park with food trucks, beverages and merchandise available.
Tickets are available on the festival website with ticket options ranging from $30-70 per person for day or weekend passes.
6. Visit the Viking, Roman and Medieval village at Whanganui Vintage Weekend
A Viking, Roman and Medieval village will fill Ridgway St, near Rutland Arms Inn, from 10am-4pm on Saturday.
Throw on your best armour, togas, medieval dress or simply head down to enjoy the festivities. Entry is free.
7. Enjoy Devonshire tea, afternoon tea or high tea at Bushy Park Homestead
Enjoy a cuppa in style at the Bushy Park Homestead this Sunday with their three tiers of tea and food options – Devonshire tea, afternoon tea or high tea.
Enjoy any of these options at the Edwardian homestead located at 791 Rangitatau East Rd, Kai Iwi, from 10am-3pm on Sunday.
Guests will be able to walk around the park grounds before or after their tea with free entry to the park grounds.
For bookings, call the homestead’s main phone number to secure a table. Vintage dress and automobiles are welcome.
Prices per head are $15 for Devonshire tea, $25 for afternoon tea and $40 for high tea.
8. Watch the aerial displays at Wanganui Aero Club Open Day
Aircraft from across the ages will take to the sky on Sunday for Wanganui Aero Club’s Open Day from 9am-4pm.
A selection of home-built aircraft, microlights, vintage classics, ex-military jets, warbirds and aerobatics machines will be on show at Airport Rd.
Gate sales only – $15 for adults, $5 for children 8-14 (additional children’s tickets are free after the first two) and $10 for Gold Card holders.
More information is available on the Wanganui Aero Club Facebook page.
Royal New Zealand Air Force Black Falcons aerobatic team will perform a separate acrobatic air show with five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircrafts which will perform a series of formation flying, loops, rolls and high-speed passes.
The show is at 4.30pm and can be viewed over Castlecliff Beach.
9. Watch the 2026 Soap Box Derby on Drews Ave
The iconic Plumber Dan Soap Box Derby will make its comeback following a hiatus from last year’s Vintage Weekend. Racers will fly down Drews Ave on Monday from 9am-3pm in their homemade carts.
The derby is a long-time crowd favourite for the Whanganui community and is free to watch.
10. Go for a walk along Kai Iwi’s coastline
If crowds aren’t your thing, enjoy the natural beauty Whanganui has to offer through a walk along scenic and historic Kai Iwi Beach.
The 12km black sand beach is full of natural wonders from limestone fossils to dramatic cliff faces and rock formations. Explore the tidal pools and streams, or swim in the lifeguarded ocean water.
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.