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.
This year’s event will showcase the incredible art of Wiradjuri – Biripi artist James P. Simon – as projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Time: 05:20 AM – 05:40 AM
Location: Overseas Passenger Terminal, 3 Circular Quay West, The Rocks
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 March
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
Celebrating 20 years this year, Yabun festival is the largest one-day gathering and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia.
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 AM – 7 PM
Location: Victoria Park, Broadway.
Blak Powerhouse
Back for its third consecutive year, Blak Powerhouse is a partnership between We Are Warriors and Powerhouse to take over Manning House at the University of Sydney.
Featuring live music, dance, art, food, DJs and more, you can register here.
Time: 5 PM – 10 PM
Location: Manning House, Manning Road, Camperdown.
Ngunnawal/Canberra

Sovereignty Day Rally
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy will lead the Sovereignty Day Rally from Garema Place.
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Garema Place, Canberra City.
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: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Parliament House, Corner Spring St and Bourke St, Melbourne.
Share The Spirit
Share the Spirit is a celebration of First Nations music, art, craft and culture.
Time: 11.30 AM
Location: Treasury Gardens, Melbourne.
Pilk Purriyn Truth Telling
Pilk Purriyn is a truth-telling event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.
Time: From 5:30 AM to 7 AM
Location: Cosy Corner Beach, The Esplanade, Torquay.
Boorloo/Perth
Sovereignty Day Protest
Boorloo’s annual Sovereignty Day Protest will begin at Forest Chase in the CBD. The march will feature speakers and entertainment.
Time: 12 PM – 1:30 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 and headline acts by Indigo Ellis Duo, Bobby Bennell, Beni Bjah and Bradley Hall Band.
Time: 3 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.
Time: 8 AM -1 PM
Location: Queens Gardens, George St, Brisbane City, Meanjin.
We Have Survived! March
This year is the Sunshine Coast’s third Invasion Day procession beginning at Foundation Square and moving to Cotton Tree Park.
Time: 9 AM
Location: Foundation Square, Maroochydore.
Garramilla/Darwin
Smoking Ceremony
A traditional smoking ceremony will be held at Darwin Waterfront with accompanying local Indigenous performers and storytelling.
Time: 7.45 AM
Location: Darwin Waterfront, Garramilla.
Tarntanya/Adelaide
Survival Day March
The Kaurna Survival Day march will begin in Victoria Square, where there will also be speakers and live performers.
Time: 11 AM
Location: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.
Mourning In The Morning
The Mourning in the Morning ceremony begins with a welcome to Kaurna country, followed by First Nations speakers, musicians, dancers, and interactive activities grounded in respect. The event will conclude at 8.45am with a smoking ceremony by revered Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner.
Time: 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Location: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama, King William Street, Adelaide.
Nipaluna/Hobart
Invasion Day March & Rally
Nipaluna’s Invasion Day march will depart from Elizabeth St at 11:30 AM and march to Parliament Lawns.
Time: 11:15 AM
Location: 198 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Related articles:
- Forget Celebrating ‘Australia Day’: Could January 26 Be A Day Of Healing Instead?
- Why We Need To Talk About Australia Day
- How To Show Up And Support Our First Nations People