Each July, as the first Sunday arrives, communities — mob and non-Indigenous allies alike — gather across the country to honour the vibrant culture, deep history and enduring spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week, a time of celebration and reflection, has its origins in 1938’s Day of Mourning, a protest that sparked national awareness of the injustices and forced displacement faced by First Nations peoples through white colonisation. For many Mob, recognising how much work there still is to do as a nation can be deeply confronting. The ongoing impacts of colonisation and the challenges our communities face are never far from mind. Yet NAIDOC Week creates space for us to come together, to celebrate loudly and to feel proud and joyful about who we are and how far we’ve come — no matter what’s still ahead. It’s a time to honour our strength, resilience and identity, and to share that joy with community.
This year’s theme, ‘50 Years of Deadly’, marks a landmark half-century of celebrating and elevating the voices, stories, and cultural brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s both a bold statement and a moment for reflection, paying tribute to the generations whose unwavering determination made this milestone possible. This anniversary honours the organisers, artists, activists and communities who have kept NAIDOC grounded in culture and collective spirit, year after year. To help you get amongst the celebrations, we’ve rounded up some of the best NAIDOC Week events happening across the country.
Sydney (Gadigal)
Eora NAIDOC Inner City Family Fun Day: Hosted by the Eora NAIDOC Community Group, expect a day of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal performances, live music, Jarjum and youth activities and a free BBQ.
Thursday, July 9 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2042.
AbSec NAIDOC Family Fun Day 2026: Sydney’s largest NAIDOC community celebration returns with live music, cultural performances, art workshops, and activities for all ages. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a vibrant carnival atmosphere, connect with community and celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week in a space that welcomes everyone.
Wednesday, July 8 from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Robyn Webster Sports Centre, Holbeach Ave, Tempe NSW 2044.
The Lucky Country: NAIDOC Week Panel & Concert: Experience the world premiere of a bold new work by First Nations composer Mark Munk Ross and Ensemble Offspring for NAIDOC Week 2026, blending live music, powerful narration and storytelling that traces First Nations custodianship. The performance is followed by a panel discussion that invites audiences to reflect on and engage with questions of belonging and identity in contemporary Australia.
Friday, July 10 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Church Street Studios, 62-68 Church Street, Camperdown NSW 2050. To secure your tickets, head here.
Melbourne (Naarm)
NAIDOC in the City: Don’t miss the annual KHT NAIDOC Week Market and Festival, a vibrant community event packed with free workshops, live entertainment, family activities and delicious food. Browse over 20 First Peoples stalls, featuring standout brands like Haus of Dizzy and Galarra Creations, while enjoying deadly tunes from the likes of Christine Anu, Bumpy, Zipporah and Benny Walker.
Friday, July 10 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm at Fed Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000. For more information, head here.
2026 NAIDOC March: Get your red, yellow and black merch at the ready, because the Melbourne NAIDOC Week March is back for 2026! Starting from the VAHS building on Nicholson Street, wear your values with pride. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will provide bus transport to and from Melbourne for this event for any community members who would like to attend.
Friday, July 10 from 12:00pm starting at VAHS, 186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065. For more information, head here.
NAIDOC Week Shorts 2026: A retrospective dive into the creative and cultural landscape of First Nations filmmaking. Paying tribute to this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, the shorts are a celebration of the enduring spirit of First Nations ancestors who have refused to be silenced in the face of colonial adversity.
Thursday, July 9 from 7:30om to 8:30pm at ACMI, Fed Square. For more information and to book your tickets, head here.
Canberra (Ngunnawal & Ngambri)
NAIDOC in the North: Belco Arts is bringing the community together for a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, art and achievement, featuring First Nations artists, performers and organisations. All are welcome to connect, learn and celebrate 50 Years of Deadly at this inclusive free event.
Saturday, July 11 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Belco Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT 2617.
NAIDOC Week 2026 at the National Museum: Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 at the National Museum of Australia, with a week-long program (Monday to Friday) featuring a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, a pop-up multiarts exhibition curated by Aunty Jude Hammond, live mural painting and workshops with Dr Jandamarra Cadd and the chance to see Haida artist Clarence Mills at work on the iconic Haida Totem pole.
Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10 from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day at National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton, Canberra, ACT 2601. For more information, head here.
Perth (Boorloo)
NAIDOC FESTIVAL – 50 Years of Deadly: Enjoy a free, family-friendly celebration of Aboriginal culture featuring live music, traditional dance, art activities, a Welcome to Country, and hands-on fun like face painting, petting zoo, climbing walls and more.
Tuesday, July 7 from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Bob Blackburn Reserve, Challis Road, Seville Grove WA 6112.
Paint, Dine & Learn – NAIDOC Week Experience: Celebrate NAIDOC Week with an interactive art and culture workshop led by the Djookanka Sisters. Connect with Aboriginal stories, create your own canvas to take home and enjoy a tasting of foods from Gather Foods. All materials are provided.
Monday, July 6 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Belmont Forum, 227 Belmont Avenue, Cloverdale, WA 6105. To secure your spot, head here.
Brisbane (Meanjin)
Brisbane NAIDOC Ball 2026: Experience the “blackout event of the year” at the 2026 Brisbane NAIDOC Ball, South-East Queensland’s premier celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence. Enjoy a night of cultural pride, live performances and community connection as the Ball honours outstanding First Nations achievements.
Saturday, July 11 from 5:30pm to 11:30pm at Royal International Convention Centre, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006. To secure your ticket, head here.
NAIDOC 2026 Family Fun Day: Bring the whole family down for an afternoon of activities and entertainment for all ages. The vibrant program honours the five decades of community, culture and pride among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Tuesday, July 7 from 9:00am at Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, 270 Jacaranda Ave, Kingston, QLD 4114.
Adelaide (Kaurna)
NAIDOC March and Family Fun Day: The 2026 NAIDOC March begins with community coming together to march to Parliament House, followed by a Family Fun Day at Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square celebrating culture, community and connection.
Friday, July 10 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square, Grote St, Adelaide SA 5000.
NAIDOC SA Gala Ball: Gear up for a special night championing community spirit, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, excellence, strength and achievement.
Saturday, July 11 6:00pm to 11:00pm at Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000. For more information and to secure your ticket, head here.
Hobart (Nipaluna)
West Coast Community NAIDOC Week Morning Tea: Come together for a relaxed morning celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, with bush tucker tastings, local arts and crafts, and children’s activities. Everyone is welcome at this community event, proudly supported by the local Aboriginal community and partners.
Tuesday, July 7 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at West Coast Council Chambers, Stitch Street, Queenstown TAS, 7467.
Darwin (Gulmmerogin)
2026 Deadly Cup Carnival: This free, community-led health promotion event is one of the largest NAIDOC Week celebrations in the Northern Territory. Every year, the Deadly Cup brings together more than 3,000 community members to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and connection through sport.
Sunday, July 5 from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Richardson Park, 40 Richardson Dr, Ludmilla NT 0820. For more information, head here.
Brown’s Mart NAIDOC Week Program: A week-long program of First Nations art, performances, workshops, films, comedy, interactive experiences and a special exhibition celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC posters.
Sunday, July 5 to Sunday, July 12 at Brown’s Mart, 12 Smith Street, Darwin City, NT 0800. For more information, head here.
The post Your Guide To 2026 NAIDOC Week Events Around Australia appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
