Anti-protest restrictions have been narrowed in Sydney to allow a planned Invasion Day protest to go ahead on Monday.
It’s one of dozens of events being held around the country on 26 January by First Nations communities, families and allies to commemorate the day, also known by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Survival Day or the Day of Mourning.
Here’s a look at what’s happening in every state and territory.
Sydney, New South Wales
On Saturday 24 January, the Sunset Cultural Ceremony will be held at Burnum Burnum sanctuary, Woronora, from 4pm to 7pm. Elders have invited people to come together for reflection, yarning and listening, with food and entertainment.
The Dawn Reflection is held on 26 January from 5.20am at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks, Gadigal land. Before sunrise, artwork by Dharawal, Bidjigal and Dhungutti Aboriginal artist Garry Purchase will light up Sydney Opera House sails.
The WugulOra (meaning “one mob” in Gadigal language) ceremony from 7.30am follows the dawn reflection. The event is about “reflection, understanding and reconciliation” and includes speeches from the NSW governor, premier, and an address from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The annual Yabun festival at Victoria Park, Camperdown is on from 10am to 7pm on Monday. It’s one of Australia’s largest community events celebrating Survival Day and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, with music, dance, art and a market.
The Invasion Day rally and march will kick off in Sydney’s Hyde Park from 10am. It’s organised by the Blak Caucus with guidance by Gadigal elders. The rally is expected to focus on black deaths in custody, record rates of First Nations children in out-of-home care, and expressing solidarity and protest against “multiple genocides overseas”.
Regional NSW
A Survival Day community event will be held in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains on 26 January from 11am to 4pm, at the Katoomba North public school, on Dharug and Gundungurra lands.
In Byron Bay, the Bundjalung nation Survival and Invasion Day event will be held from 10am to 2pm at the Apex Park onArakwal country.
And in Newcastle, the Invasion Day event starts at 9am in Civic Park and will include a march through the city.
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy has organised a Sovereignty Day event in Canberra, gathering at Garema Place at 9.30am ahead of a march then rally at the Old Parliament House lawns. Organisers are highlighting “generations of resistance”.
Melbourne, Victoria
The Day of Mourning Invasion Day dawn service will be held at Camp Sovereignty, off Linlithgow Avenue in the Domain, from 5am to 7am. That service is to acknowledge the “ongoing dispossession, displacement and oppression for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”, organisers say.
The Melbourne Invasion Day rally will be held from 11am, meeting at state parliament then marching through the CBD. Organisers the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance say it is “a day we come together to tell the truth and demand justice”.
Then the Share the Spirit festival, Victoria’s longest-running First Peoples festival, will be held at Treasury Gardens from noon to 6.30pm. It’s hosted by Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation and features a lineup of First Nations artists. Entry is free.
Regional Victoria
Ballarat’s Survival Day Dawn Ceremony is held at View Point, Lake Wendouree on 26 January from 5.30am to 7am, and followed by the Sand Circle Yarning Space until 9am. It’s hosted by the City of Ballarat’s Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG) advisory committee.
In Torquay, Wadawurrung traditional owners will lead the Pilk Purriyn truth-telling event, which includes a welcome to country, dance and ceremonies. The event, now in its fourth year, runs from 5.30am to 7am at Cosy Corner beach and is co-hosted by the Surf Coast Shire.
An Invasion Day rally will be held in Djilang/Geelong, starting at Market Square Mall from 11am. A rally will be held at Market Square Mall from 11.30am
Further north, the Mildura Survival Day event is held from 11am to 4pm at Jaycee Park. The event will feature speeches, dancing, art and entertainment. Organisers are urging community to come together in a peaceful protest standing against racism, together with migrant communities.
And in the west of the state, a Survival Day event will be held in Hamilton at the Melville Oval Pavilion from 6pm-8pm.
Adelaide, South Australia
A Mourning in the Morning smoking ceremony will be held from 7.30am to 8.45am at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on King William Street, Adelaide. Organisers say the event is for the community to reflect, connect with and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cultures and stories.
A Survival Day Tandanyangga event will also be held from noon to 5pm at Victoria Square, Adelaide.
Perth, Western Australia
A Reflect Respect Celebrate Australia Day smoking ceremony and community breakfast will be held from 8am to 10am on 26 January at Victoria Gardens, East Perth.
The Invasion Day protest will be begin at noon at Forrest Place in the CBD before marching towards Stirling Gardens.
Regional Western Australia
The Rubibi Survival Day event is held in Broome from 4.30pm to 11pm on 26 January. It features local bands and entertainment.
Darwin, Northern Territory
Justice Not Jails is holding a Survival Day picnic from 4pm to 6pm with speeches, music and food at the Nightcliff Foreshore by the Rapid Creek footbridge.
Brisbane, Queensland
An Invasion Day rally will be held from 10am at Queens Gardens with speeches and music. The march will leave from noon and end at Musgrave Park.
Regional Queensland
In Cairns the Blaktivation grassroots collective is hosting a peaceful rally and march for the Day of Survival and Strength, starting at 9am at Fogarty Park.
A Survival Day walk will be held in Mackay from 8am to 1pm at the River Wharves, 6 River St. Organisers say they are honouring the true history and “breaking the silence around invasion and genocide”.
Another Invasion Day 2026 event will be held at the Sunshine Coast City Hall from 9am to 1pm, in solidarity and goodwill with First Nations peoples.
And the Maleny Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group, will be held from 9am at the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.
Hobart, Tasmania
The Invasion Day march in Hobart will begin at 11am at the Tasmania Aboriginal Corporation, at 198 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, and walk towards Parliament House lawns for a rally from noon.
Regional Tasmania
The Limilinaturi Invasion Day gathering will be held at the Tulaminakali Health Service at Devonport at 11.30am. An Invasion Day rally will be held in the north-west coastal town at noon at Market Square at the Paranaple Arts Centre.
