Each year, NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) is observed from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday, bringing Australians together to celebrate and reflect.
Officially established in 1975, what began as a national week of recognition has grown into one of the country’s most significant annual observances, honouring the rich histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Celebrated not only within First Nations communities, but by Australians across the country and around the world, NAIDOC Week invites people to recognise the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures and communities.
To mark NAIDOC Week’s 50th anniversary in 2026, the National NAIDOC Committee has chosen the theme “50 Years of Deadly.” More than a milestone, it pays tribute to the people who built the movement: the Elders who stood firm, the organisers who created space, the artists who transformed resistance into expression, and the communities who have continued to show up, year after year.
Throughout the week, communities and organisations across Australia will come together through art exhibitions and creative collaborations, talks, community gatherings, sporting events, storytelling, dance and quiet moments of reflection with family. NAIDOC Week is observed in ways as diverse as the communities it celebrates.
Ahead, discover some of the NAIDOC Week events taking place across Australia.
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Queensland
Musgrave Park NAIDOC Family Fun Day
When: Friday, July 10 | 9:00am–5:00pm
Where: Musgrave Park, South Brisbane
Cost: Free
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with a day of culture, community and connection. The event features a Community Corroboree, live entertainment, keynote speakers, First Nations food vendors, Indigenous arts and crafts, educational and information stalls, free amusement rides and opportunities to support First Nations-owned businesses.
Still Deadly: Voices of Our Elders Exhibition
When: Saturday 27 June to Sunday 26 July | 10:00am–3:00pm
Where: Ipswich Community Gallery
Cost: Free
Still Deadly celebrates the resilience, knowledge and cultural legacy of Elders connected to the Ipswich region through powerful portrait photography and recorded stories that honour their enduring role as truth-tellers and knowledge keepers.
NAIDOC Breakfast
When: Tuesday, July 7 | 6:45am–10:00pm
Where: Trinity Room, Cairns Convention Centre, Wharf Street
Cost: $80pp
A longstanding highlight of Cairns’ NAIDOC Week celebrations, the NAIDOC Breakfast brings the community together over a shared meal for reflection, connection and inspiring conversations. Expect thought-provoking speakers, stories of resilience and advocacy, and a celebration of the achievements and enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
New South Wales
NAIDOC Week At Barangaroo
When: Sunday, July 5 to Sunday July 12 | 5:00pm–7:00pm
Where: Barangaroo Reserve
Cost: Free
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at Barangaroo Reserve with a series of free evening gatherings that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and traditions. Centred around storytelling and yarning by the fire, the events offer an opportunity to connect with the local Aboriginal community, learn about First Nations customs and reflect on the significance of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
Redfern Community NAIDOC Festival
When: Friday, July 10 | 10:00am–3:00pm
Where: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern
Cost: Free
Taking over the heart of Redfern, this community festival features Indigenous-owned market stalls, live entertainment, children’s activities, sporting workshops, cultural organisations and special events for Elders, with something for every generation.
NAIDOC Week Burrawa Climbs
When: Increased Climbs during NAIDOC Week (5 – 12 July 2026) | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Departs from the official BridgeClimb Sydney base located at 3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks.
Cost: Prices are subject to change.
BridgeClimb’s special Burrawa Climbs offer the chance to experience Sydney Harbour from a First Nations perspective during NAIDOC Week. Guided by a First Nations storyteller, the three-hour summit climb shares the stories of Warrane, the Gadigal people and the enduring connection between Country, language and place.
As part of the celebrations, $100 from every adult Burrawa Climb ticket will be donated to Tribal Warrior, supporting Indigenous programs and communities. Every climber will also receive a complimentary limited-edition water bottle featuring artwork by Indigenous artist Taleena Simon, while those climbing on Friday, July 10 can enjoy a pop-up native food tasting by Indigiearth.
Victoria
Gala Ball
When: Until July 30 | 9:00am–5:00pm
Where: Centrepiece at Melbourne Park
Cost: $170 – $450
Experience an unforgettable evening of live entertainment, great food and community as First Nations performers take to the stage. Come dressed for the occasion and celebrate alongside the community.
We Sit In Circle Exhibition
When: Saturday, July 11 | 7:00pm–11:00pm
Where: Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Cost: Free, bookings required
We Sit in Circle brings together powerful paintings and intricate weavings by First Peoples women with lived experience of incarceration. Presented as part of NAIDOC Week, the exhibition explores strength, hope and survival, with every artwork available for purchase and all proceeds going directly to the artists.
Western Australia
Paint, Dine & Learn
When: Monday, July 6 | 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Where: Belmont Forum, Cloverdale
Cost: $10
Led by the Djookanka Sisters, this immersive 1.5-hour workshop honours this year’s “50 Years of Deadly” NAIDOC Week theme through Aboriginal art, storytelling and cultural knowledge. Create your own canvas inspired by traditional symbolism, enjoy a native food tasting by Gather Foods, and take home your artwork. All materials are provided, and no painting experience is required!
Celebrate Culture and Country At El Questro
When: Wednesday, July 1 to Tuesday July 7 | 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Where: El Questro Station, 1 Gibb River Road, Durack
Cost: Free
NAIDOC Week at El Questro Station in the Kimberley offers an immersive opportunity to connect with First Nations culture and Country through guided on-Country experiences, traditional storytelling and insights into Aboriginal art and cultural protocols, all shared directly by the Traditional Owners.
Kaaditj – NAIDOC Emerging Artist Exhibition
When: Saturday, July 4 to Sunday July 26 | 4:00pm
Where: Zig Zag Gallery, Kalamunda
Cost: Free
Kaaditj is the debut solo exhibition by award-winning Noongar and Yamatji artist Wes Jackson, the 2026 NAIDOC Emerging Artist. Presented at Zig Zag Gallery in Kalamunda, the free exhibition explores memory, nostalgia and the return to cultural knowledge through photography and sculpture.
South Australia
Post Office Projects x Iwiṟi Arts
When: Running until July 25 | 4:00pm
Where: Post Office Projects Gallery, Port Adelaide
Cost: Free
Nganampa Ngura – Our Places is a collaborative exhibition by Post Office Projects and Iwiṟi Arts celebrating Country, culture and community. Featuring paintings and ceramics by Aṉangu artists, the exhibition explores identity, cultural knowledge and the enduring connection between people and place.
Beaded Jewellery Making
When: Monday, July 6 | 9:00am – 11:00am
Where: Mt Barker Community Library
Cost: $5
Create Aboriginal-inspired beaded jewellery with local Indigenous artist David Booth in this hands-on workshop. Participants will craft a bracelet and necklace to take home, with all materials provided and a wide selection of colourful beads and designs to choose from.
