Things to Do This Weekend in Whanganui

Everything to see and do in Whanganui.

Your weekly guide to the best things to do this weekend in Whanganui: what’s on, where to go and where to eat. Fine weather is on the cards, so it’s a good weekend to get outdoors. Here’s the plan for Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October.

Updated live from the forecast. Pop back closer to the weekend for the sharpest read.

This weekend’s weather

FriFog18°8° 2%
SatOvercast18°11° 0%
SunOvercast17°11° 25%
Weather data: Open-Meteo

What’s on this weekend

FRI23
Old Buildings, New Uses: Adaptive Reuse Walking TourWorkshops
10:30amA guided walking tour of adaptive reuse in Whanganui.
FRI23
Whanganui Mūmū: Curator TalkWorkshops
12:15pmA curator talk at the Whanganui Regional Museum.
SAT24
Weaving Off Loom: Liz Mitchell WorkshopWorkshops
9:30amA weaving workshop led by Liz Mitchell, with more dates listed.
FRI23
Cinematographer: Anthonie TonnonMusic
8:00pmTaite Music Prize-winning songwriter Anthonie Tonnon premieres an audiovisual live show combining electronic music, film and design, closing the Festival of Design Aotearoa; tickets from $35.
FRI23
High VoltageMusic
8:00pmA rock night at Frank Bar & Eatery.
SUN25
Festival of Design AotearoaFestivals
WhanganuiTen days of 50+ talks, exhibitions, installations, performances, tours, workshops and markets, with Whanganui as UNESCO City of Design; full programme at festivalofdesign.co.nz.
FRI23
Dalgleish Architects Open StudioFestivals
2:00pmAn open studio session as part of the design festival.
FRI23
Design in Public: Cycle and Walking ToursArts
2:30pmCycle and walking tours of the city, with more dates listed.
FRI23
Beca Lighting Studio: Designing the Night Guided TourArts
8:00pmA guided tour exploring lighting design at night.
SUN25
Design, Distilled. Manda Clarke: TalkArts
4:00pmA design festival talk at The Distillery.

See everything on in Whanganui →

Things to do this weekend

Weather-matched things to do this weekend in Whanganui: fine weather is on the cards, so we’ve leaned towards the coast, walks and parks.

Walk

Winter Gardens at Rotokawau Virginia Lake Whanganui: Free Art Deco Conservatory

Peaceful strolls through seasonal beauty await at the Winter Gardens at Virginia Lake, where hidden gems and delightful experiences beckon you to explore further.

Read the guide →
Beach

Ototoka Falls and Beach Whanganui: Coastal Waterfall and Black Sand

Hidden away near Ototoka Beach, Ototoka Falls offers breathtaking scenery and tranquility—discover the best tips for your unforgettable visit!

Read the guide →
Beach

Mowhanau Playground Whanganui: Beachside Facilities at Kai Iwi Beach

Have a blast at Mowhanau Playground, where adventure awaits and the beach beckons—discover what makes this spot perfect for family fun!

Read the guide →
Walk

Araheke MTB Park Whanganui: Trails at Lake Wiritoa and Pauri

Find your thrill at Araheke Mountain Bike Park, where stunning trails await—discover the hidden gems that make it Whanganui's premier MTB destination!

Read the guide →
Walk

Atene Skyline Track Whanganui: Hike & River Markets

Lace up your hiking boots for the Atene Skyline Walk, where breathtaking views await—discover what makes this trek an unforgettable experience.

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Fishing

Whanganui River Estuary Fishing: Kahawai and Sea-Run Trout

Perfect your fishing skills at the Whanganui River Estuary, where brackish waters teem with diverse species waiting to be caught. Discover essential tips to enhance your experience!

Read the guide →
Walk

Bridge to Nowhere Walk Whanganui: Historic Icon in National Park

On the Bridge to Nowhere Walk, uncover the intriguing history and breathtaking scenery of Whanganui's iconic landmark that beckons adventurers to explore its secrets.

Read the guide →
Park

Waitahinga Dam Reserve Whanganui: Walking Tracks & Historic Dam

Breathtaking vistas and captivating wildlife await at Waitahinga Dam Reserve, but what hidden treasures will you discover on your adventure?

Read the guide →

Sunrise and sunset this weekend

Whanganui sunrise and sunset times today

Worked out for the city’s exact location and updated automatically: first and last light, golden hours, where the sun and moon are right now, and the 7 days ahead.

Sunrise
06:22
Sunset
19:46
Daylight
13h 24m
12 am6 amnoon6 pm12 am
First light
05:55
Golden hr am
06:22–06:49
Solar noon
13:04
Golden hr pm
19:19–19:46
Last light
20:13

Sun & moon in the sky now · facing north

Sun’s path todayMoon’s path

Whanganui sunrise and sunset this week

This week: Daylight is getting longer by about 2 minutes a day this week.
Day Sunrise Sunset Daylight
Today · Thu 22 Oct 06:22 19:46 13h 24m
Fri 23 Oct 06:21 19:47 13h 26m (+3 min)
Sat 24 Oct 06:19 19:48 13h 29m (+3 min)
Sun 25 Oct 06:18 19:49 13h 31m (+3 min)
Mon 26 Oct 06:16 19:51 13h 34m (+2 min)
Tue 27 Oct 06:15 19:52 13h 36m (+3 min)
Wed 28 Oct 06:14 19:53 13h 39m (+2 min)

About these times

Sunrise and sunset times for Whanganui are calculated from the city’s location and update automatically each day. Knowing the exact times helps with planning sunrise walks, photography, fishing, tramping and getting home before dark. The daylight bar and table above show today’s first light, sunrise, solar noon, sunset and last light, plus the times for the week ahead. All times are New Zealand local time for a flat horizon, so hills or tall buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset a little earlier.

Sunrise, sunset and twilight times are calculated for Whanganui using standard astronomical formulae. Times are New Zealand local time for a flat, unobstructed horizon and are approximate. Sun and moon positions are worked out in your browser from the same location and are accurate to about a degree.

Keep exploring Whanganui

Two more ways to make the most of your time in Whanganui. Tap through below.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do this weekend in Whanganui?

This weekend in Whanganui you can pick from weather-matched things to do, the events on this weekend, and the best spots to eat, all rounded up on this page and updated live from the forecast.

What’s on this weekend in Whanganui?

The “What’s on this weekend” section above lists this weekend’s events in Whanganui, concerts, markets, theatre and more, each with its date and venue.

What can I do this weekend in Whanganui if it’s raining?

On wet weekends we lean the picks towards indoor options in Whanganui such as museums, galleries and covered attractions. The weather block at the top shows the weekend forecast so you can plan around it.

Are there markets this weekend in Whanganui?

Any markets running this weekend in Whanganui show up in the events section above, tagged so they’re easy to find alongside the weekend’s other happenings.

Are there free things to do this weekend in Whanganui?

Often, yes. Many of Whanganui’s museums, galleries, parks and markets are free to enter, and the free picks are highlighted in each weekend’s round-up.

What can families do this weekend in Whanganui?

For families this weekend, look to Whanganui’s playgrounds, beaches and daytime community events, and the weekend picks call out the family-friendly options.

How often is the Whanganui weekend guide updated?

Every Friday morning. We rebuild the guide each week for the coming Friday to Sunday, with the latest events, weather-matched things to do, and current picks for eating out.