There are multiple ways to join together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across these lands as we mark January 26th as a Day of Mourning, Survival Day, Invasion Day.
We are listing a number of events below as a digest of events.
IN-PERSON EVENTS:
Please check/follow Facebook Events and Web pages for full details plus any entry requirements/conditions, and also for details of any last-minute changes or cancellations.
See full details of events and messages from organisers in the Event Details/Discussion posts in links below.
We will be updating this list as further details become available in the lead up to January 26, 2024.
If your location isn't listed, please reach out to your local Aboriginal community for details on any events near you (Aboriginal land councils, community organisations, medical services and Facebook pages are a great place to start.)
ACT
CANBERRA, NGUNNAWAL & NGAMBRI COUNTRY, ACT
Aboriginal Tent Embassy Sovereignty Day
Protest & March, Isabell Coe Memorial Lecture
Friday, 26 January 2024 at 9:30am AEDT
Protest and march assembling 9:30am Garema Place. Marching to Aboriginal Tent Embassy, King George Terrace, Old Parliament House lawns, Canberra
Hosted by Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Isabell Coe Memorial Lecture has been held annually at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy since 2012.
Please email [email protected] for booking and attendance.
Further Resources
Read Common Grace’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator Bianca Manning’s reflections on gathering at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy for #ChangeTheHeart 2019.
You can read a short history about the Aboriginal Tent Embassy here
NSW
SYDNEY, GADIGAL COUNTRY, NSW
Invasion Day Sydney 2024
From Belmore Park, Sydney CBD
Friday, 26 January 2024 10am - 1:00pm AEDT
Yabun Festival 2024 - Victoria Park, Broadway
Friday, 26 January 2024 from 10:00am-6:00pm AEDT
Hosted by Yabun Festival
Sydney's premiere one-day festival of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture returns to Victoria Park, Broadway on January 26. Presented on Gadigal Land by Koori Radio.
WulgulOra Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo (and streamed online)
Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, Banrangaroo, 7:30-8:30 AM AEDT. As an ancient Smoking Ceremony cleanses the way for new beginnings, the WugulOra Morning Ceremony celebrates the world’s oldest living culture through dance, music and language. The event will also be broadcast live on NITV (National Indigenous Television) or streamed free on SBS On Demand from 7.30am on January 26.
NEWCASTLE, AWABAKAL COUNTRY, NSW
Day of Mourning - Newcastle - Customs House Hotel Fountain, Foreshore Park
Friday, 26 January 2024 9:30am - 4:00pm AEDT
Invasion Day Rally/Day of Mourning will start at 9:30am AEDT at Customs House, 1 BOND Street, Newcastle New South Wales and finish at the AwabaMi Festival, at Foreshore Park.
AwabaMi Festival - Family Event
Friday, 26 January 2024 10:00am - 7:00pm AEDT
AwabaMi is an invitation for all to bring along friends, family and a picnic blanket to engage in meaningful reconciliation through truth-telling, performances, open dialogue, and historical acceptance. This free public event is held annually at the Foreshore Park, Newcastle on 26 January.
WEST WOLLONGONG, DHARAWAL COUNTRY, NSW
Invasion Day Bushcare - Gilmore Park, West Wollongong
Friday 26 January, 2024 9:00am - 11:00am AEDT
Hosted by Clementina Velasco and Gilmore Park Bushcare
VIC
MELBOURNE, WURUNDJERI COUNTRY, VIC
Invasion Day March/Rally
Friday 26 January, 2024 from 10:00AM AEDT
Where: Parliament House of Victoria
Hosted by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance
‘Invasion Day Rally Melbourne on Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Lands.
Be COVID safe by wearing a mask and not attending if you are sick.
“The 26th January, Australia Day is not a day to celebrate. It is an annual reminder of invasion, occupation, genocide and the ongoing impacts of colonisation that continues to destroy our lives, our lands and our waters. As the oldest living culture in the world, it is our right and our responsibility as First Nations people to protect our country, culture and our people. That is why we meet this day with protest and mourning, as one of the longest standing protests in the world.”’
Balit Narrun - Share the Spirit Festival 2024
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne: Gates open 11:30am, performances 1:00 - 9:00 PM AEDT.
Presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music Organisation in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne. It celebrates the survival of Australia’s First Nations people with live music and art from the Aboriginal arts community.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA, BOONWURRUNG COUNTRY, VIC
Our Survival Day - Keep Surviving
The Briars, 450 Nepean Highway, Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne
Friday, 26 January 2024 AT 11:00am - 5:00pm AEDT
Hosted by Our Survival Day
(Ticketed) – Mount Martha: 11:00-5:00 PM AEDT. Brought to you by Our Songlines. With a focus on Indigenous education, cultural entertainment, food and sustainability through the theme of ‘Reconnection’. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will have access to free tickets.
BALLARAT, WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY, VIC
Survival Day Dawn Ceremony 2024
Friday, 26 January 2024 from 5.30am - 6:30am AEDT
Wadawurrung Country. Viewpoint, Lake Wendouree, BALLARAT (opposite Lake View)
Hosted by Ballarat Koorie Engagement Action Group - KEAG
For those unable to attend or wanting to watch from home, the event will again be live streamed - link below:
BELGRAVE, WURUNDJERI COUNTRY, VIC
Belgrave Survival Day 2024
Event to be held Sunday, 3rd March.
‘Belgrave Survival Day also acknowledges the deep sadness, grief and emotions around the recent Referendum - before, during and now... the after, of the results
We acknowledge and thank Elders past, present and emerging, the Wurundjeri Land Council, all of our collaborators, Organisational partnerships, supporters, volunteers, musical acts, artists, performers, allies, businesses, local Council, the locals in Belgrave and thank you to you - the Community.
Belgrave Survival Day is over 15 years old, which is an amazing achievement in this space, with the conversations being had, the changes being made, the communities being created but still so much work to be done.
As Allies, this Community and Event have stood proud, strong, respectfully and with determination - side by side with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.’
Borthwick Park: 12:00 - 5:00 PM AEDT. Celebrating their 15th anniversary featuring performances by Dave Arden and band, Pirritu, Yeng Gali Mullum, Deniece Hudson and more.
TORQUAY, WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY, VIC
Pilk Purriyn Truth-telling Event
‘Pilk Purriyn is a truth-telling event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.
Everyone is welcome to come together for deep-listening and reflection at sunrise on 26 January 5.30am. The event begins with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.’
QLD
BRISBANE/MAGANDJIN, YUGGERA & TOORBUL COUNTRY, QLD
Invasion Day Rally
Friday January 26th 2024, from 9:00am AEST
Meeting at Queens Gardens (144 George St, Brisbane) then marching to Musgrave Park.
TOWNSVILLE, BINDAL COUNTRY, QLD
Survival Day
Strand Park, Townsville. Friday 26 January 2024, from 5:30am - 3:00pm AEST
Hosted by Big Eye Theatre
Starting the day off with a Dawn Service a time of commemoration followed by Survival Day Walk, then a celebration of a people who have reason to showcase and share Art Dance Music Food and storytelling to continue 65,000 years of Cultural ways to inform the broader community of truth telling and the true history.
CAIRNS/GIMUY,
Vigil and March - Together we Mourn, United we Heal
Friday January 26, Cairns Fogarty Park, 8:30am - 10:00am
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and non-Indigenous allies are invited to gather together and reflect on our shared history, and future.
SA
ADELAIDE/TARNTANYANGGA, KAURNA COUNTRY, SA
Survival Day SA
Friday 26 January, Victoria Square, Adelaide. 11:00am ACDT
There will be Strong & Powerful Speakers as well as Incredibly Amazing Performers to entertain you all throughout the day
WA
PERTH/BOORLOO, WHADJUK NYOONGAR COUNTRY, WA
Invasion Day 2024
Forrest Chase, CBD, Boorloo/Perth
Friday, 26 January 12:30pm AWST
12.30pm Rally - Forrest Place Booraloo, Perth City
1.30pm March – Forrest Place to Stirling gardens
2pm Yarning Circle with grassroots Elders - Stirling Gardens
Shaded seating and refreshments for Elders at the rally.
Birak Concert 2024
Supreme Court Gardens, Cnr Barrack Street & Riverside Drive, Perth
Friday 26 January from 3:00pm-7.30pm AWST
Hosted by City of Perth
Celebrated through a range of music, dance and art, the Birak Concert is Western Australia’s premier celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
RUBIBI/BROOME, YAWURU COUNTRY, WA
Rubibi Survival Day 2024
Goolarri Amphitheatre, 3 Blackman Street, Rubibi/Broome
Friday, 26 January 2024, 4:00pm AWST
Hosted by Goolarri Media
‘This January 26th, we are opening the gates for an evening of celebration of the continued survival of Australia's First Nations Peoples. The night will be filled with performances from some of the leading performers from the Kimberley and across the country. Experience the history and culture passed down through song.
We are beyond excited to announce the lineup:
- Electric Fields
- Barkaa
- Fitzroy Xpress
- St Agnes
- Fish and Sing
- Leanna Shoveller
- Chase Pigram
Food vans will be on location throughout the evening and the Bar will be open.
Note: This is a licensed event and people under the age of 18 will only be admitted if accompanied by an adult.’
TAS
NIPALUNA/HOBART, TAS
Invasion Day Rally 2024, Nipaluna
Friday, 26 January 2024 from 11.15am AEDT
Hosted by Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Join us for our Street March and Invasion Day Rally 2024 - Nipaluna / Hobart
11:15 am - Depart TAC (198 Elizabeth Street) for Street March
12 pm - Rally @ Parliament Lawns See less
LIMILINATURI/DEVONPORT, TAS
Invasion Day Rally 2024
Friday, 26 January 2024 from 11:30am AEDT
Hosted by Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Street March - 11:30 am – Depart Tulaminikali Health Service (106 Best Street)
Rally - 12:00 pm – in Market Square (behind Paranaple Centre)
NT
DARWIN, LARRAKIA COUNTRY, NT
Invasion Day Rally
Friday January 26 Civic Park (Civic Square), Darwin City, Gulumoerrgin 8:30am
______________________________________
FURTHER WAYS TO ENGAGE ON JANUARY 26 - COMMON GRACE
Commit to taking a stand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice by share a video of your feet walking on country and sharing an Acknowledgement of Country on social media. Find out more here.
Wondering what else you can do on Jan 26? Explore further ways to engage in January 26th here.