Jack River, Slam! Pro Wrestling and sneak peeks at study: Your ultimate cheat sheet to UC’s Open Day Fest

Posted on 5 September, 2025

Entertainment, food, family-friendly activities, epic university showcases and more!

The University of Canberra (UC) is hosting its first-ever Open Day Fest – a day dedicated to helping people discover what makes UC special.

Whether you’re thinking about uni for yourself, someone else, curious about what’s happening at our local university or just interested in a fun day out, we promise there’s something for everyone.

What is it?

A full-scale community festival! From hands-on learning experiences to live entertainment, free food to sporting showcases, UC’s Open Day Fest is transforming the traditional university open day into something bigger.

When is it?

Taking place for one day only, Saturday 20 September, the epic festival will run from 9 am until 3 pm, giving you plenty of time to explore everything that’s happening across the campus!

Okay, so what’s happening?

So much! From live music lighting up the concourse to a chance to get up close and personal with local sporting legends, here’s just a taste of what you won’t want to miss.

UC’s FREE music festival with headliner Jack River

ARIA Award-nominated artist Jack River will headline the festival, bringing her acclaimed indie sound to the main stage. Hailing from Australia’s east coast, Jack River has earned critical and popular praise with a string of powerful, atmospheric hits that have made her a festival favourite across the country.

In addition to a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by the Yukkumbruk Women’s Dreaming, this is also your chance to discover and support emerging Canberran talent. Catch Jett Blyton, a local indie-pop favourite with deep, bass-driven vocals and fresh production, Apricot Ink, an alt-pop duo rapidly building national recognition, and newcomer Phurpax, blending RnB and synthesised pop to round out the line-up.

Here are the performance times so you don’t miss your favourite (or the chance to find a new one!):

• 9.30 am – Phurpax
• 10.30 am – Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by the Yukkumbruk Women’s Dreaming
• 11.30 am – Apricot Ink
• 12.30 pm – Jett Blyton
• 2.00 pm – Jack River

From slam to glam: all the extra action

Slam! Pro Wrestling League (a crowd favourite) will also be featuring at Open Day Fest, and sports lovers can shoot some hoops with the UC Capitals, throw a perfect pass to one of the Brumbies, or score a goal against Canberra United.

Looking to get a taste of university life?

The festival has you covered. Each faculty will be hosting engaging, hands-on activities that showcase what studying at UC looks like. Here are a few to keep an eye out for:

• Learn the secrets of working in radio with the UCFM Radio Station from the Faculty of Arts & Design.
• Play simulated war games with a former Australian Army Officer and Defence Minister at the Politics & Government Hub.
• Interested in health? Go inside the labs where you can study how our bodies move and function, and learn more about human anatomy and rehabilitation practices at the Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Hub.
• Get hands-on and try out various medical and biomedical science instruments with some fun and interactive experiments at the Mega Lab Hub.
• Explore the Teachers Employers Market to discover industry trends and learn what a career in education looks like from the experts.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Spanning the faculties of Arts & Design, Business, Government & Law, Education, Health, and Science & Technology, from a Wiradjuri Preschool Showcase to a Heritage Conservation Lab, no matter your interests, there’s sure to be something for you to discover.

Plus, expert staff from every faculty will be available to answer questions and provide genuine insights into different degree options!

Who can go along?

Everyone! Perfect for families, alumni, curious locals, and anyone looking for a great Saturday out, this event isn’t just for prospective students.

You’re never too young to enjoy UC Open Day Fest. Kids can enjoy jumping castles, face painting, balloon artists, and a fascinating reptile exhibition in the dedicated Kids Zone.

You’re never too old, either! Just nearby, you’ll find the Adult Learning Hub – it’s a space for alumni to (re)connect, and a great opportunity to see how things have changed since graduation. It’s also the place for adult learners who are interested in undergrad or postgrad study to chat to advisors and figure out how they can make it work.

Bring your friends, bring your family and bring your curiosity!

What about food and drinks?

Good question, because what’s a festival without food? Not only will UC’s iconic free blue doughnuts be available throughout the day, but you can also enjoy delicious options from UCX food carts and campus vendors to help you refuel – yes, including a classic sausage sizzle!

If that’s not enough, the UCX Bar will be open from 11 am until 3 pm, serving classic pub favourites, plus a wide selection of on-tap and bottled beers, wines and soft drinks.

How do I get there, and where can I find parking?

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get to the Bruce Campus. If you are driving, it’s recommended to plan your journey here. The University has over 3200 parking spaces (including more than 80 accessible parking spaces), which will be free of charge on the day.

Planning on using public transport? Plan your journey at transport.act.gov.au

Does it cost anything?

No, UC Open Day Fest is completely free, but you’ll need to register here.

What else do I need to know?

Head to the UC Open Day website to see the expected agenda, maps, contacts and more. Plus, you can join in on the UC Fest Quest to complete goals, explore the campus, answer trivia questions, and be rewarded with your choice of free coffees, UC merch, exclusive giveaways and more!

Want everything at your fingertips? Download the free UC Open Day Fest app (you can even win some great prizes for using it!)

Still have questions? Check out the FAQs here.

See you there!