Meet & Eat: Northumbria University to host local experience as part of June Open Days
Northumbria University, together with their catering partner Chartwells, will welcome prospective students and their families to its June Open Days on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th June 2026, showcasing not only its academic excellence but also the vibrant culture, creativity and community of the city itself.
As part of the experience, the University will host a special ‘Meet & Eat’ experience, a public event open to everyone, bringing a curated selection of local food, craft and gift stalls directly onto the city centre campus. While the Open Days themselves are designed for prospective students, ‘Meet & Eat’ invites the wider community to get involved. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample some of the North East’s best-loved independent food brands, browse handmade goods, and meet local businesses that reflect the character and diversity of Newcastle.
Some of the vendors include Deep North Doughnuts, Made Of Crumbs, Deli Churros, Lobo Acai, Acropolis, Weird Dough Pizza, and Chicken Ting, all set to appear across the two-day event. The line-up has been carefully selected to showcase the creativity and diversity of Newcastle’s thriving independent food scene.
These businesses will be familiar to those who already know the city, with a number of their restaurants & stores located just a 10–15 minute walk from campus, giving prospective students a real sense of how closely connected Northumbria is to the heart of Newcastle’s thriving urban centre.
‘Meet & Eat’ will be held in the Quad and is a free event, with no ticket required. Members of the public are warmly encouraged to come along, enjoy the atmosphere, and experience the energy of the campus and its surrounding community.
Pride celebration on Friday 26 June
On the Friday (26th June), the Chartwells team will also host a lively Pride pop-up as part of the Open Day and Meet & Eat Experience. The event will feature live music, entertainment alongside a range of community activities designed to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion.
In partnership with regional talent agency, Nrthrn Baby, the campus will come alive with performances from local musical talent, helping to create an uplifting atmosphere throughout the day. The entertainment reinforces the University’s commitment to supporting local artists and inclusive cultural expression.
A city-centre university experience
Northumbria University’s city centre location remains one of its defining features, offering students immediate access to Newcastle’s shops, cultural venues, nightlife, and creative industries. The ‘Meet & Eat’ event and Pride celebration are designed to reflect this unique positioning, giving visitors a genuine taste of both campus life and the wider city experience.
Steph Fairless, Marketing & Events Manager for Chartwells at the University, said: “Northumbria University Open Days on campus are about much more than just courses and facilities, they’re about showing prospective students what life here in Newcastle really feels like. So, by coinciding these with a public event like ‘Meet & Eat’ they celebrate the energy of Newcastle and the strong connections we have with our city.”
