Open Christchurch is back from 2–4 May 2025, and we’re proud to once again be part of this city-wide celebration of exceptional architecture and thoughtful design.
As part of the festival, UC is opening the doors to some of our most iconic buildings, offering a rare opportunity to see the campus through fresh eyes—alongside our community and visitors.
UC Open Buildings – Sunday 4 May, 11am–2pm:
Puaka-James Hight Central سԹ
Beatrice Tinsley Building
Ernest Rutherford Building
Enjoy architecture tours and a creative exploration of the campus for all ages and abilities.
Also part of the UC programme:
Mountfort’s Drawings at Macmillan Brown سԹ –– Sunday 4 May, 11am and 12pm:
Free (allow 45-minutes) (bookings essential)
Join Mountfort expert Ian Lochhead and archivist Erin Kimber to view original drawings and explore the local expression of Gothic Revival design.
College House (UC Hall of Residence) – Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 May:
Open for guided tours (bookings required)
Special exhibition: Mountfort- Open Sat 3 & Sun 4 May, 10am–5pm, Open Access
Curated by UC Art Curatorship postgraduate student Holly Neave, this exhibition at Tūranga (Ground Floor) explores the past, present, and future of the Canterbury Museum buildings.
Includes a free children’s workshop: Artful Gothic, Sat 3 May, 10–10:45am, Activity Room, Tūranga
With 51 buildings open and over 40 activities across the weekend, Open Christchurch invites everyone to engage with design that shapes how we live, learn, and connect.
👉 Find out more, book tours, and download the full programme at
Take the chance to experience our campus from a new perspective—and share it with others.
