Events across the nation on January 26
First Nations gatherings and cultural events are taking place across the country on January 26 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and resilience.
NSW
Yabun Festival
Highlights: Australia’s largest one-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, featuring live music, traditional dancing, panel discussions, market stalls, and children’s activities.
Location: Victoria Park, Broadway, Sydney.
This festival is a community-led event where attendees can celebrate survival, culture, and the contributions of First Nations peoples while reflecting on history.
WugulOra Morning Ceremony: This event, meaning ‘One Mob’, focuses on inclusion and reconciliation and features cultural and ceremonial traditions.
Location: Walumil Lawns, Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, NSW 2000.
Time: 7:30am.
Invasion Day 2026: Rally + March: A protest rally and march highlighting the ongoing impacts of colonisation, state violence, and land rights issues.
Location: Hyde Park, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.
Time: 10:00am.
Culture on Country: This event celebrates survival, resistance, and the strength of First Nations cultures with live music, dance, workshops (weaving, shellwork), and a free community BBQ dinner.
Location: La Perouse Museum, 1542 Anzac Parade, La Perouse, NSW 2036.
Time: 5:00pm.
Regional NSW Events
Saltwater Freshwater Festival: This festival celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture on the Mid North Coast with dance, song, art, workshops, and storytelling.
Location: North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, 34 Coff Street, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450.
Time: 11:00am.
Singleton Ceremony with Smoking Ceremony: The official Australia Day ceremony in Singleton will feature a smoking ceremony by a Wonnarua elder, a BBQ breakfast, and guest speakers.
Location: Singleton Civic Centre, 12 Queen Street, Singleton, NSW 2330.
Time: 8:00am.
Other First Nations Gatherings
Across NSW, local First Nations communities and allies are organising gatherings to stand in solidarity, reflect on history, and celebrate culture and sovereignty.
Events may include musical performances by First Nations artists, cultural workshops, storytelling, and peaceful marches. These gatherings provide opportunities for education, reflection, and community engagement.
VICTORIA
Numerous Indigenous events are scheduled across Victoria on Monday, January 26, 2026. These events offer opportunities for reflection, truth-telling, and cultural celebration.
Melbourne (Naarm)
Day of Mourning/Invasion Day Dawn Service: A solemn ceremony to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonisation, organised by Vic NAIDOC and held at Camp Sovereignty, Linlithgow Avenue. It runs from 5:00am – 7:00am.
Invasion Day Rally: Organised by the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR), this is a major protest and march starting at the Parliament House Steps at 11:00am. The rally typically marches through the CBD to demand justice and treaty.
Share the Spirit Festival: Victoria’s longest-running First Peoples festival, presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music, offering live music, dance, and market stalls at Treasury Gardens from 12:00 noon.
Bunjil’s Marroun Healing Ceremony: Hosted by Moonee Valley City Council at Woodlands Park, Essendon, this event allows the community to hear from Traditional Owners and features music and key addresses. It runs from 5:30 – 6:30pm.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk: The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria offers guided walks to learn about the Kulin nation’s connection to the land and plants.
Regional Victoria
Pilk Purriyn Truth-Telling Event: Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will lead this sunrise event at Cosy Corner Beach in Torquay from 5:30am.
Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony: The Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG) hosts this ceremony at View Point, Lake Wendouree, from 5:30 – 7:00am.
Our Survival Day: An Aboriginal-led, family-friendly event with cultural workshops, food, and music at The Briars in Mount Martha, running from 12:00 noon – 5:00pm.
Djilang/Geelong Invasion Day Rally: A rally and gathering will take place at Market Square Mall, Little Malop Street, starting at 11:00am.
Mildura Survival Day 2026: An event at Jaycee Park, featuring speeches and entertainment, from 11:00am – 1:00pm.
Day of Mourning & Reflection (Woodend): The Macedon Ranges Truth & Reconciliation Group hosts this event at Woodend Neighbourhood House from 9:30am – 12:00 noon.
QLD
Queensland will host multiple Survival Day and Invasion Day events on January 26, focusing on truth-telling, cultural reflection, and the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survival.
Key Events Across Queensland
Invasion Day March, Magandjin (Brisbane): A public march to commemorate invasion and stand against colonial regimes.
Time: 10:00 AM start
Location: Queens Gardens, corner of George and Elizabeth streets, Brisbane
Details: Multiple groups welcome the public to join in solidarity, with a focus on remembrance and protest
Benarrawa Survival Day, Graceville: Ceremony includes casting native flowers in a bronze canoe, followed by a community breakfast.
Time: 7:30am start (gather at 7:15am)
Location: Bronze canoe near Simpson’s playground, Graceville Avenue, Graceville
Requirements: Bring clap sticks, native flowers, hat, water, rug or folding chairs, and shareable food for breakfast
Survival Day Walk, Mackay – Yuwi Country: A walk to honour the true history of Yuwi Country, break silence on invasion, and uplift women with the theme “Strong Blak Women: Matriarchs.”
Time: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Location: River Wharves, 6 River St, Mackay
Invasion Day 2026: We Have Survived!, Sunshine Coast: Gathering for mourning and survival, marking 88 years since the first Day of Mourning.
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Sunshine Coast City Hall, corner of First Avenue and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore
Day of Survival and Strength, Gimuy (Cairns): Peaceful rally and march hosted by the Blaktivation collective with the theme “Together, United Towards Truth, Healing and Justice.”
Time: From 9am
Location: Fogarty Park, Cairns
Maleny Remembrance Ceremony: Highlights: Solemn ceremony commemorating dispossession on Jinibara and Kabi Kabi Country with morning tea provided.
Time:10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, 17 Bicentennial Lane, Maleny
TASMANIA
Indigenous-focused events taking place in Tasmania include a street march and rally in Hobart and a separate event in Devonport, both organised by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC). The South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) is also hosting a gathering in Cygnet.
Invasion Day Rally and Street March – Nipaluna / Hobart: Street march gathering at 11:00am for an 11:20 am departure. The rally begins at 12:00 noon.
The march starts behind the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) building at 198 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, and proceeds to Parliament Lawns for the rally.
This event is a gathering for the Aboriginal community and allies to rally, mourn, and protest the contentious date of Australia’s colonisation, not to celebrate Australia Day.
Invasion Day Rally and Street March: Limilinaturi / Devonport: Street march gathering at 11:30 am. The rally begins at 12:00 pm.
The march starts at the Tulaminakali Health Service at 106 Best Street, Devonport, and the rally takes place at Market Square (Paranaple Centre).
Survival Day Gathering at SETAC – Cygnet: Port Cygnet Cannery at 60 Limington Road, Cygnet.
The South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation is holding its first ‘Survival Day’ Gathering here, with a cafe open for a limited menu. All are welcome to attend this event which acknowledges the continued survival of Aboriginal culture and identity.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Several major Indigenous events are taking place in South Australia, primarily in Adelaide on Kaurna Country. These events provide opportunities for reflection, cultural understanding, and solidarity.
Adelaide Events (Kaurna Country)
Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony: From 7:30 am to 8:45 am.
Location: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama, King William Street, Adelaide, on the banks of the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri.
This First Nations-led event, part of the Aus Lights on the River program, is open to all and features a welcome to country, a powerful smoking ceremony by Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner, speakers, music, and dance.
More Info: Full program details can be found on the Australia Day Council South Australia website.
Survival Day SA Gathering and March: The annual gathering takes place in Tarntanyangga (Adelaide’s city centre), with a march along King William Street. This major event is a call to all South Australians to celebrate the survival of the world’s oldest living culture, often drawing thousands of attendees.
Regional SA Events
Galinyala Cultural Experiences (Port Lincoln): Guided experiences at 9:00 am, 11:15 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:45 pm.
Location: Experiences depart from the long vehicle parking bay opposite the Services SA building on Tasman Terrace, Port Lincoln.
Facilitated by Emmalene Richards (Maba Idi Cultural Tourism), these free, pre-registered experiences visit culturally significant sites across Port Lincoln and include bush food tastings, focusing on truth-telling and cultural understanding.
Survival Day – North Haven: Starting at 8:30 am.
North Haven Surf Life Saving Club, 44 Australia II Avenue, North Haven, SA. This event focuses on honouring culture, strength, and community.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Several events with an Indigenous focus are taking place in the Northern Territory, including community celebrations, a survival day gathering, and cultural experiences.
Darwin and Surrounds
Justice Not Jails Gathering: A gathering to mark Invasion and Survival day, calling for justice and truth-telling. It will include shared food (BBQ provided), music, and speeches at the Nightcliff Foreshore by the Rapid Creek footbridge. Community members are invited to bring a picnic mat or chair and a plate to share.
Australia Day Community Celebration: This event at Bicenntenial Park in Darwin will include a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, didgeridoo and tap stick performances, and other free family activities alongside official ceremonies like the 21 Gun Salute and flypast.
Festival of Us: An inclusive event at the Territory Netball Stadium (Marrara) that promotes unity and diversity. The free, family-friendly festival features live music, dance, creative workshops, and a community dinner.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Several events in Western Australia are taking place, offering opportunities for reflection, cultural celebration, and community gathering. Events range from traditional smoking ceremonies and community breakfasts to protests and live music performances.
Perth Metropolitan Area Events
Reflect, Respect, Celebrate Smoking Ceremony & Breakfast: 8:00 am – 10:00 am. Victoria Gardens, 10 Royal Street, East Perth
This event begins with a traditional cultural Smoking Ceremony led by Whadjuk Noongar artists and performers to promote healing and respect for the land and elders. A BBQ breakfast will be available for a small donation to charity.
Invasion Day Protest & March: 12:00 noon at Forrest Place; march starts at 1:00 pm towards Stirling Gardens.
Location: Forrest Place, Perth CBD. This is a gathering for the long-standing protest of the public holiday, calling for justice and truth-telling about Australia’s history.
Regional WA Events
Rubibi Survival Day (Broome): 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Gimme Club at Goolarri Media, Blackman St, Broome
Details: An evening celebrating the strength and resilience of First Nations Peoples, featuring powerful Indigenous performances from established and emerging Kimberley artists. Cost is $15 online or $20 at the door; children under 10 are free.
ACT
On January 26, the main Indigenous event taking place in the ACT is the Sovereignty Day Rally, which includes a march from Garema Place to the lawns of Old Parliament House. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a historic site of protest, is a focal point for the day’s activities. The rally begins at 9am.
