January 26 is not a day to celebrate.
The date marks a devastating loss of peoples, culture and Country for so many Australians.
Whether you’re joining a march, attending a ceremony or engaging with culture at one of the many First Nations festivals held around Australia, there’s many different ways that you can commemorate the day.
These are the Invasion Day marches, rallies and events happening in all of Australia’s capital cities.
Gadigal/Sydney
Dawn Reflection
In Gadigal, you can begin the day with the Dawn Reflection, which will see First Nations artwork projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Time: 05:20 AM – 05:50 AM
Location: Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay.
Morning Ceremony
The WugulOra (One Mob) Morning Ceremony will be held at Barangaroo Reserve. The event will feature a smoking ceremony, special performances and addresses.
Time: 07:30 AM – 08:30 AM
Location: Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo.
Invasion Day Rally
The city’s annual Invasion Day rally will be happening at Belmore Park in the CBD.
Time: 9.30 AM onwards
Location: Belmore Park, Gadigal CBD.
Yabun festival
Yabun festival is the largest one-day gathering and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia. The festival will feature live music, cultural performances, market stalls and panel discussions and community forums on First Nations issues.
If you can’t make it to the festival then you can also listen in via Koori Radio 93.7FM in Greater Sydney.
Time: 10.00 AM – 6.50 PM
Location: Victoria Park, Broadway.
Ngunnawal/Canberra
Sovereignty Day Isabell Coe Memorial Lecture
The annual Sovereignty Day Isabell Coe Memorial Lecture has been an integral part of January 26 since 2012 and will be returning to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy this year.
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Old Parliament House lawns.
Naarm/Melbourne
Invasion Day rally
In Naarm, you can join the annual Invasion Day rally, which will see protesters march from Victorian Parliament House to Flinders St Station.
Time: 11.00 AM
Location: Victorian Parliament House
Share The Spirit
Share the Spirit is a celebration of First Nations music, art, craft and culture. The community festival will feature music performances by multi ARIA Award-winner Dan Sultan, Bumpy, Charlie Campbell, Jess Hitchcock, Djirri Djirri Dancers and more First Nations artists.
Time: 11.00 AM
Location: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Kings Domain Gardens.
Boorloo/Perth
Invasion Day Rally
Boorloo’s annual Invasion Day rally will begin at Forest Chase in the CBD. The march will feature speakers and entertainment.
Time: 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM
Location: Forest Chase, Boorloo CBD.
Birak Concert
You can experience First Nations music, art and culture at Boorloo’s Birak Concert. The event will feature a traditional Welcome to Country, headline acts by Red Ochre Band, Pipeline and Phil Walleystack, as well as a community art canvas, market stalls, food trucks, face painting, an obstacle course and a dedicated Elders Marquee.
Time: 3.00 PM – 7.30 PM
Where: Supreme Court Gardens, Boorloo.
Meanjin/Brisbane
Invasion Day March
Meanjin’s Invasion Day march is happening at Queens Gardens on George Street. After the march, you can head over to Musgrave Park and listen to Triple A Murri Country’s annual Original 100 music radio program.
Time: 10.00 AM
Location: Queens Gardens, Meanjin.
Garramilla/Darwin
Smoking Ceremony
A traditional smoking ceremony will be held at Darwin Waterfront with accompanying performances by the Larrakia and the Rirratjingu Dancers from North East Arnhem Land.
Time: 7.50 AM
Location: Darwin Waterfront, Garramilla.
Tarndanya/Adelaide
Mourning In The Morning
Mourning in the Morning will feature a traditional Welcome to Country, a smoking ceremony, a speaker’s address, and musical performances by the Iwiri Choir and Nancy Bates.
Time: 7.00 AM – 8.00 AM
Location: Tarntanya Wama (Elder Park).
Survival Day March
Tarndanya’s Survival Day march will begin in Victoria Square, where there will also be speakers and live performers.
Time: 12.00 PM – 4.30 PM.
Location: Victoria Square, Tarndanya.
Nipaluna/Hobart
Invasion Day March And Rally
Nipaluna’s Invasion Day march will depart from Elizabeth Street at 10.50am. The group will then gather at Parliament Lawns at 12pm for an Invasion Day rally.
Time: 10.50 AM (march), 12.00 PM (rally)
Location: 198 Elizabeth Street (march), Parliament Lawns (rally)
