Quality Education
Public Events (lifelong learning)
The University of Newcastle regularly hosts a wide range of events that are open to the general public, including public lectures and community educational activities.
Throughout the year, the University presents an engaging calendar of community events spanning Music, Art, Literature, Education, STEM, Entrepreneurship, and much more. These events are designed to foster connection, spark curiosity, and promote lifelong learning.
Signature public events include the annual Book Fair, a popular community event supporting literacy and access to books (as well as recycling pre-loved items to divert from landfill), Ngarrama, an annual reconciliation event that celebrates the traditional custodians of the land and supports community through educational storytelling and cultural immersion, and Gifting Day, a University-wide celebration that brings together staff, students, alumni, and the broader community in support of impactful causes.
Many of these events are free of charge and are open to all, reflecting the University's ongoing commitment to community engagement and accessible education.
Standout events in 2024 are as listed:
Friends of the University of Newcastle Book Fair
- Dates: September 2024
- Location: Great Hall, Callaghan Campus
- Details: This beloved event featured over 50,000 second-hand books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records, attracting a diverse crowd of book enthusiasts. The fair not only offered a vast array of literary treasures but also served as a community gathering point, fostering connections among attendees.
Ngarrama – Reconciliation Day Event
- Date: Thursday, 25 January 2024
- Location: King Edward Park, Newcastle
- Details: Ngarrama, meaning "to sit, listen, and know," is a significant reconciliation event organised by the University in partnership with Awabakal Ltd, the City of Newcastle, and NGM Group. The event features traditional dance, music, storytelling, and knowledge sharing, aiming to foster meaningful reconciliation through truth-telling and cultural acceptance. Thousands of people attended the event and enjoyed a warm night under the stars, hearing stories of the traditional custodians of the land.
Open Day
- Date: Saturday, 31 August 2024
- Location: All campuses
- Details: The University opened our doors to the public, offering interactive demonstrations, talks, and campus tours. The event provided an opportunity for prospective students and the general public to explore University life and learn about study and entry options.
Built Environment Showcase 2024
- Date: Thursday, 14 November 2024
- Theme: Construction Innovations: Housing Availability and Affordability in Regional NSW
- Details: This showcase brought together industry professionals, local businesses, community groups, academics, and research centers to discuss and collaborate on issues related to housing availability and affordability in regional New South Wales.
Looking Ahead Speaker Series
- Details: The University's Looking Ahead Speaker Series featured free keynote lectures and panel discussions on topics such as empowering Australia's First Peoples, providing equal opportunities for education, and safeguarding the environment. These events aimed to engage the community in discussions about the University's future directions and societal impact.
Browse What's On
June 2026
Exhibition
Agape in the Hunter
Explore the Hunter Region’s spirit through powerful stories of crisis and courage. From floods to earthquakes, this display reveals "Agape" - love in action, where communities unite above all differences. See ordinary gestures of extraordinary people.
July 2026
Exhibition
Finding home: life outside institutions
Exhibiting the stories of those who attended and left mental hospitals between 1900 to 1960 to better understand mental health care in the community before new ideas about 'community psychiatry'.
Exhibition
FINDING HOME Life Outside Institutions
This exhibition tells their stories by drawing from a rich set of archival material to evoke the spaces of care and the varied experiences of individuals who sought help. It shines new light on twentieth-century journeys between hospital and home
September 2026
Exhibition
Synergy: The 2026 NAS Mentorship Exhibition
The Newcastle Art Space Mentorship Program supports excellence in arts practice by connecting emerging Hunter Region artists with established, creative practitioners. Through informal, regular mentoring, cohort networking and professional development sessions,the program fosters shared learning, experimentation and professional growth.
Event
2026 University Book Fair
Grab a bargain at the early bird hour of 4pm Friday 11 September! Join us for the 2026 University Book Fair. The fair hosts an assortment of rare and collectible books, making it an unmissable occasion for every book lover.
Great Hall, Callaghan Campus
Live performance
Newcastle University Choir - Dvořák
Newcastle University Choir presents Czech composer Antonin Dvořák’s Mass in D Major for the first time in Newcastle.
Webinar
Job Application Bootcamp
Are your job application documents working for you? Writing an effective resume, cover letter or statement addressing the selection criteria can be a tricky process! Come along to this bootcamp and we will set you in the right direction to
Workshop
Leveraging GenAI for Assessment Design
How can AI help us design better assessment tasks? In this session, we'll explore key considerations when using AI to generate ideas for assessments, focusing on how to craft effective and meaningful tasks, and other important factors to ensure a
Event
Newcastle Youth Studies Centre Seminar Series: Lived Experiences of LGBTQ+ Religious Youth in a hostile policy landscape - Digital Media, Wellbeing, and Visual Methods
Join this international seminar series featuring speakers from the University of Newcastle alongside some of the biggest international scholars in sociology, digital humanities, communications, media studies, and education, responding to key social issues of our time.
Expo
Public Health Career Expo
Discover your future in Public Health. Curious about where a career in public health could take you? Join the University of Newcastle's inaugural Public Health Careers Expo for a dynamic day of networking, inspiration, and hands-on career development.
Campus tour
Ourimbah Campus Tour | September
Come and explore the vibrant atmosphere of The University of Newcastle's Ourimbah Campus in Australia. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to get a firsthand experience of our beautiful campus.
Campus tour
Callaghan Campus Tour | September
Experience our beautiful campuses and discover what it’s like to study at the University of Newcastle. Join us for the Callaghan Campus Tour!
Webinar
Teaching in Action: Mid-Semester Student Feedback
The LDTI Teaching in Action sessions are an opportunity for staff to discuss a teaching tool, concept, or pedagogy to prompt reflection on their practice and uplift the educational experience for UON students. Each 30-minute session will be delivered via
Campus tour
Central Coast Clinical School Campus Tour | September
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Clinical School! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge medical education and research happening on campus.
Campus tour
Gosford Campus Tour | September
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Campus - Gosford Central! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge education facilities happening on campus.
Campus tour
NUSpace Campus Tour | September
Located on Auckland Street, NUSpace is easily accessible and offers a vibrant and inclusive community. Whether you're a prospective student, parent, or simply curious about the future of education, this tour is perfect for you.
Campus tour
Q Building Campus Tour | September
Join us for a fun and interactive Q Building Campus Tour where you'll explore our amazing facilities firsthand!
Live performance
Newcastle Young Suzuki Musicians Celebration Concert
An unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements of the Newcastle Young Suzuki Musicians through the beauty and joy of classical music.
Workshop
Discussing GenAI in the Classroom
Participants will explore key considerations and policies for using GenAI, examine different use cases in the classroom, and discuss how to have conversations about GenAI with their students.
Public Lecture
I&E Academy: FinTech: AI, Tokenisation & the Future of Digital Currency Symposium
Join the I&E Academy for the latest Impact by Design Symposium, exploring how AI, blockchain and tokenisation are reshaping digital finance. This symposium brings industry and research perspectives together through Design Science Research.
Webinar
Teaching in Action: Improving Inclusivity in Your Course
The LDTI Teaching in Action sessions are an opportunity for staff to discuss a teaching tool, concept, or pedagogy to prompt reflection on their practice and uplift the educational experience for UON students. Each 30-minute session will be delivered via
Live performance
Stories of Water & Earth: Ensemble Offspring and Nardi Simpson
First Nations storyteller and singer Nardi Simpson joins leading chamber orchestra Ensemble Offspring in this evocative and beautiful afternoon of song, ceremony and country. Nardi (one half of the Stiff Gins) draws on her Yuwaalaraay freshwater stories and brings her
In person
HSC Study Hub Maths Exam Readiness Session
Ready to crush your math and computing goals? Join us for an intense study sesh that’ll boost your HSC prep!
In person
HSC Study Hub Computing Exam Readiness Session
Ready to crush your math and computing goals? Join us for an intense study sesh that’ll boost your HSC prep!
Webinar
HSC Study Hub Maths Exam Readiness Webinar
Ready to crush your math and computing goals? Join us for an intense study sesh that’ll boost your HSC prep!
October 2026
In person
HSC Study Hub Maths Exam Readiness Session
Ready to crush your math and computing goals? Join us for an intense study sesh that’ll boost your HSC prep!
Campus tour
Ourimbah Campus Tour | October
Come and explore the vibrant atmosphere of The University of Newcastle's Ourimbah Campus in Australia. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to get a firsthand experience of our beautiful campus.
Campus tour
Callaghan Campus Tour | October
Experience our beautiful campuses and discover what it’s like to study at the University of Newcastle. Join us for the Callaghan Campus Tour!
In person
HSC Study Hub Maths Exam Readiness Session
Ready to crush your math and computing goals? Join us for an intense study sesh that’ll boost your HSC prep!
Campus tour
Central Coast Clinical School Campus Tour | October
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Clinical School! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge medical education and research happening on campus.
Webinar
HSC Study Hub Computing Exam Readiness Webinar
Ready to crush your math and computing goals? Join us for an intense study sesh that’ll boost your HSC prep!
Campus tour
Gosford Campus Tour | October
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Campus - Gosford Central! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge education facilities happening on campus.
Campus tour
NUSpace Campus Tour | October
Located on Auckland Street, NUSpace is easily accessible and offers a vibrant and inclusive community. Whether you're a prospective student, parent, or simply curious about the future of education, this tour is perfect for you.
Campus tour
Q Building Campus Tour | October
Join us for a fun and interactive Q Building Campus Tour where you'll explore our amazing facilities firsthand!
Live performance
GILES HENDERSON WANNAN, Chamber Music for Flute Viola & Harp
Harpist Alice Giles, flautist Jonathan Henderson and violist James Wannan join forces to present a programme centred around French music and contemporary living composers.
Workshop
Adobe Student Academy - Free Online Workshop
Looking to level up your creative and career-ready skills? Join the Adobe Student Academy, a free online workshop where you will learn how to create stand-out content & portfolio design with Adobe tools.
Workshop
Neurodivergent Peer2Peer Program - Workshop 2
From Delay to Done: Overcoming Procrastination and Mastering Time ManagementAlways finding ways to put things off? From Delay to Done will help you break free from procrastination with practical strategies to manage your time and make real progress.
Webinar
Writing Questions for Secure Online Assessment
This workshop is delivered by the Education Development team and will focus on writing high‑quality exam questions for online secure assessments.
Webinar
Job Application Bootcamp
Are your job application documents working for you? Writing an effective resume, cover letter or statement addressing the selection criteria can be a tricky process! Come along to this bootcamp and we will set you in the right direction to
Webinar
Surveying Webinar
Interested in joining one of Australia’s most in-demand professions? Learn about the University of Newcastle’s surveying programs, flexible hybrid study options and where a career in surveying could take you.
In person
What is the Future of the Humanities? Panel presentation and networking
Join us for a chaired panel discussion exploring the current state, and possible futures, of the humanities in universities.
Public Lecture
Public talk: Anticipation, Hesitation and Disastrous Futures
In this talk, the HESTIA Lab engages with different, often contrasting, ways of how people prepare for and respond to looming disastrous futures.
In person
Finding Work in Australia
Finding Work in Australia is designed to support international students in developing self-awareness, identifying opportunities, and improving their employability in the Australian market.
In person
Finding Work in Australia
Finding Work in Australia is designed to support international students in developing self-awareness, identifying opportunities, and improving their employability in the Australian market.
Event
Newcastle Youth Studies Centre Seminar Series: Youth Side-Hustles - Entrepreneurship and Employment in Enterprise Culture
Join this international seminar series featuring speakers from the University of Newcastle alongside some of the biggest international scholars in sociology, digital humanities, communications, media studies, and education, responding to key social issues of our time.
Webinar
Finding Work in Australia
Finding Work in Australia is designed to support international students in developing self-awareness, identifying opportunities, and improving their employability in the Australian market.
Workshop
Creating Presentations with Gamma
The LDTI GenAI Tinker workshops have been developed for staff who see value in hands on experiences using a variety of GenAI tools to tackle common problems.
Webinar
Job Application Bootcamp
Are your job application documents working for you? Writing an effective resume, cover letter or statement addressing the selection criteria can be a tricky process! Come along to this bootcamp and we will set you in the right direction to
In person
GFF26: Acropolis Cats and Other Wondrous Animals
Exploring the lives of stray cats in Athens and beyond.
In person
Acropolis Cats & Other Wondrous Animals: Film Screening
Join us for a special screening of Acropolis Cats & Other Wondrous Animals, followed by a live Q&A with filmmaker and University of Newcastle academic, Mary Zournazi. Exploring the lives of stray cats in Athens, the documentary reflects on compassion,
In person
National Science and Engineering Challenge Final
This year’s National Science and Engineering Challenge final will be held in the Great Hall at Australian Parliament House, Canberra. The top scoring school from each state and territory, plus a local wild card school will compete in increasingly difficult
Webinar
TAFE to Uni Webinar - Semester 2
You will learn about what it’s like studying at our University, TAFE and other vocational, qualifications entry pathways, how to apply, scholarships, jobs on campus, support services and more!
Live performance
Fernleigh Orchestral and Arts Network: Pink Meets Purple
Bridge the worlds of rock and classical with the iconic music of Pink Floyd and Deep Purple.
November 2026
Workshop
Neurodivergent Peer2Peer Program - Workshop 3
Workshop 3: Staying Grounded – Managing Overwhelm Your Way In Staying Grounded you will explore practical, flexible strategies to manage stress, regulate your energy, and stay connected to what matters most—without pressure to “do it the right way.”
Webinar
Job Application Bootcamp
Are your job application documents working for you? Writing an effective resume, cover letter or statement addressing the selection criteria can be a tricky process! Come along to this bootcamp and we will set you in the right direction to
Live performance
Christ Church Camerata's All that jazz!
Raise the roof in a joyous interweaving of jazz, pop and classical.
Campus tour
Ourimbah Campus Tour | November
Come and explore the vibrant atmosphere of The University of Newcastle's Ourimbah Campus in Australia. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to get a firsthand experience of our beautiful campus.
Campus tour
Callaghan Campus Tour | November
Experience our beautiful campuses and discover what it’s like to study at the University of Newcastle. Join us for the Callaghan Campus Tour!
Campus tour
Central Coast Clinical School Campus Tour | November
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Clinical School! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge medical education and research happening on campus.
Webinar
Ed Tech in Action: Final Assessments, Exams & Preparing for Fully Graded Date
The LDTI Ed Tech in Action sessions are targeted sessions focussed on supported educational technology tools and their use in teaching, learning and assessment. Each 30-minute session will be delivered via Zoom and will feature a short presentation or demonstration
Campus tour
Gosford Campus Tour | November
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Campus - Gosford Central! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge education facilities happening on campus.
Campus tour
NUSpace Campus Tour | November
Located on Auckland Street, NUSpace is easily accessible and offers a vibrant and inclusive community. Whether you're a prospective student, parent, or simply curious about the future of education, this tour is perfect for you.
In person
Works In Practice Muster 4
A new research collective at the University of Newcastle that aims to foster a supportive and collaborative community of practice.
Campus tour
Q Building Campus Tour | November
Join us for a fun and interactive Q Building Campus Tour where you'll explore our amazing facilities firsthand!
Webinar
Newcastle Youth Studies Centre Seminar Series: Intergenerational Dialogues and Activism
Join this international seminar series featuring speakers from the University of Newcastle alongside some of the biggest international scholars in sociology, digital humanities, communications, media studies, and education, responding to key social issues of our time.
December 2026
Campus tour
Ourimbah Campus Tour | December
Come and explore the vibrant atmosphere of The University of Newcastle's Ourimbah Campus in Australia. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to get a firsthand experience of our beautiful campus.
Campus tour
Callaghan Campus Tour | December
Experience our beautiful campuses and discover what it’s like to study at the University of Newcastle. Join us for the Callaghan Campus Tour!
Campus tour
Central Coast Clinical School Campus Tour | December
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Clinical School! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge medical education and research happening on campus.
Campus tour
Gosford Campus Tour | December
Join us for an exciting in-person tour of the Central Coast Campus - Gosford Central! This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the cutting-edge education facilities happening on campus.
Campus tour
NUSpace Campus Tour | December
Located on Auckland Street, NUSpace is easily accessible and offers a vibrant and inclusive community. Whether you're a prospective student, parent, or simply curious about the future of education, this tour is perfect for you.
Campus tour
Q Building Campus Tour | December
Join us for a fun and interactive Q Building Campus Tour where you'll explore our amazing facilities firsthand!
Event
Graduation - Newcastle Callaghan
December Graduation Ceremonies – Congratulations on completing your studies! This incredible milestone deserves to be celebrated with your family, friends, and fellow graduates.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.