What’s On in Whanganui
Your weekly guide to the best events, gigs and markets in Whanganui
Thu 15 Oct · 11am · Whanganui War Memorial Centre
A theatre show at the War Memorial Centre.
Fri 16 Oct (more dates) · Royal Whanganui Opera House
A bilingual theatre production staged as part of the Festival of Design Aotearoa.
Fri 16 Oct · 7:30pm (runs to Sat 17 Oct) · Christ Church Anglican
A live performance combining brass, visual art, light and poetry.
Fri 16 Oct · 5:30pm · New Zealand Glassworks
Free opening night for the Hothaus exhibition, which runs through the festival.
Sat 17 Oct · 1pm · Whanganui Regional Museum
A Saturday afternoon concert at the museum.
Fri 16 Oct · 8:30am · Whanganui War Memorial Centre
The opening summit of the Festival of Design Aotearoa, running over two days.
Sat 17 Oct · 10am · Whanganui i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
A raku pottery day-firing workshop led by Ahi Wāhine.
Sat 17 Oct · 10am · Re-storyz
A hands-on glass casting workshop using recycled glass.
Sun 18 Oct · 10am · New Zealand Glassworks
A free glassblowing demonstration at the Glassworks.
Sun 18 Oct · 9:30am · Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery
A free festival discussion panel at the Sarjeant Gallery.
Sun 18 Oct · 11am · Whanganui War Memorial Centre
A talk on Lego-based learning by Dr Bo Stjerne Thomsen.
Sun 18 Oct · 1pm (more dates) · Starts at Whanganui War Memorial Centre
Guided cycle and walking tours of public design around Whanganui.
Fri 16 – Sun 18 Oct · Whanganui War Memorial Centre
A free weekend of hands-on creative activities and workshops for all ages.
Fri 16 Oct · Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery
Fun Palaces workshops covering zine-making and trashion and instrument making for the parade.
Sat 17 Oct · 10am (also Sun 18 Oct) · Te Ao Hou Marae
Free open days showcasing the marae and its carving school.
Fri 16 – Sun 18 Oct · Festival of Design
Free Lego architecture displays and building during the Festival of Design.
Fri 16 – Sun 25 Oct · Venues across Whanganui
More than 50 events over ten days, many of them free, with exhibitions, talks, tours, workshops and night projections around the cultural precinct.
From Fri 16 Oct (to 25 Oct) · Cultural precinct
Free night-time projections across the precinct, running from sunset to 11pm during the festival.
Sat 17 Oct 10am–5pm, Sun 18 Oct to 4pm · Jubilee Stadium
Two days of home and lifestyle exhibitors at Jubilee Stadium.
Sat 17 Oct · 7pm · 30 Drews Avenue
An evening gig at Drews Avenue listed on the local events calendar.
Tue 20 Oct · 6pm · Hive HQ Whanganui
A Hive Whanganui Tech Network talk on technology, design and innovation.
Sat 17 Oct · 8am · 280 Taupo Quay
The free weekly 5km community run along the riverbank.
Wed 14 Oct · 7–8:30pm · Pukenamu Drive
The annual general meeting of the Friends of the Sarjeant Gallery.
Fri 23 Oct · 8pm · Royal Whanganui Opera House
A live music show as part of the Festival of Design Aotearoa.
Fri 23 Oct · 8pm · Frank Bar & Eatery
A live gig at Frank Bar & Eatery.
Sat 24 Oct · 8pm · Royal Whanganui Opera House
A Labour Weekend Beatles tribute show at the Opera House.
Sat 24 Oct · 4–7pm · 1 Taylor Street
A Labour Weekend afternoon of live music at Durie Hill.
Sun 25 Oct · 9:30am–3:30pm · Springvale Stadium
A fair of retro, vintage and collectable stalls.
Sat 7 Nov · 7:30pm · Whanganui Repertory Theatre
A live music night at the Repertory Theatre.
Sources: Eventfinda and Whanganui NZ. Always check the venue or organiser for the latest details.
Keep exploring Whanganui
Two more ways to make the most of your time in Whanganui. Tap through below.