diff --git a/src/strands/agent/agent.py b/src/strands/agent/agent.py
index 3a23133de..439471a84 100644
--- a/src/strands/agent/agent.py
+++ b/src/strands/agent/agent.py
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def __init__(
         description: str | None = None,
         state: AgentState | dict | None = None,
         plugins: list[Plugin] | None = None,
-        hooks: list[HookProvider] | None = None,
+        hooks: list[HookProvider | HookCallback] | None = None,
         session_manager: SessionManager | None = None,
         structured_output_prompt: str | None = None,
         tool_executor: ToolExecutor | None = None,
@@ -187,7 +187,8 @@ def __init__(
                 Plugins are initialized with the agent instance after construction and can register hooks,
                 modify agent attributes, or perform other setup tasks.
                 Defaults to None.
-            hooks: hooks to be added to the agent hook registry
+            hooks: Hooks to be added to the agent hook registry. Accepts HookProvider instances
+                or plain callable hook callbacks (functions with typed event parameters).
                 Defaults to None.
             session_manager: Manager for handling agent sessions including conversation history and state.
                 If provided, enables session-based persistence and state management.
@@ -341,7 +342,14 @@ def __init__(
 
         if hooks:
             for hook in hooks:
-                self.hooks.add_hook(hook)
+                if isinstance(hook, HookProvider):
+                    self.hooks.add_hook(hook)
+                elif callable(hook):
+                    self.hooks.add_callback(None, hook)
+                else:
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Invalid hook: {hook!r}. Must be a HookProvider instance or a callable hook callback."
+                    )
 
         # Register built-in plugins
         self._plugin_registry.add_and_init(_ModelPlugin())
diff --git a/tests/strands/agent/test_agent_hooks.py b/tests/strands/agent/test_agent_hooks.py
index 1da245d70..3a40d69a8 100644
--- a/tests/strands/agent/test_agent_hooks.py
+++ b/tests/strands/agent/test_agent_hooks.py
@@ -1021,3 +1021,55 @@ def interrupt_tool(event: BeforeToolCallEvent):
     assert result.stop_reason == "end_turn"
     assert result.message["content"][0]["text"] == "Final response"
     assert agent._interrupt_state.activated is False
+
+
+def test_hooks_param_accepts_callable():
+    """Verify that a plain callable can be passed via hooks parameter."""
+    events_received = []
+
+    def my_callback(event: AgentInitializedEvent) -> None:
+        events_received.append(event)
+
+    agent = Agent(hooks=[my_callback], callback_handler=None)
+
+    assert len(events_received) == 1
+    assert isinstance(events_received[0], AgentInitializedEvent)
+    assert events_received[0].agent is agent
+
+
+def test_hooks_param_accepts_mixed_list():
+    """Verify that a mix of HookProviders and callables can be passed."""
+    callback_events = []
+
+    def my_callback(event: AgentInitializedEvent) -> None:
+        callback_events.append(event)
+
+    provider = MockHookProvider(event_types=[AgentInitializedEvent])
+
+    agent = Agent(hooks=[provider, my_callback], callback_handler=None)
+
+    assert len(callback_events) == 1
+    assert callback_events[0].agent is agent
+    length, _ = provider.get_events()
+    assert length == 1
+
+
+def test_hooks_param_invalid_hook_raises_error():
+    """Verify that passing an invalid hook raises ValueError."""
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Invalid hook"):
+        Agent(hooks=["not_a_hook"], callback_handler=None)  # type: ignore
+
+
+def test_hooks_param_callable_invoked_during_lifecycle():
+    """Verify callable hooks fire during agent lifecycle."""
+    before_events = []
+
+    def on_before(event: BeforeInvocationEvent) -> None:
+        before_events.append(event)
+
+    mock_model = MockedModelProvider([{"role": "assistant", "content": [{"text": "Hello!"}]}])
+    agent = Agent(model=mock_model, hooks=[on_before], callback_handler=None)
+    agent("test")
+
+    assert len(before_events) == 1
+    assert isinstance(before_events[0], BeforeInvocationEvent)