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 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: 10.00 AM – 6.50 PM
Location: Victoria Park, Broadway.
Ngunnawal/Canberra
Sovereignty Day Rally
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy will lead a protest march from Garema Place.
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Garema Place.
Naarm/Melbourne
Invasion Day rally
In Naarm, you can join a dawn service at 5.00am followed by the annual Invasion Day rally, which will see protesters march from Victorian Parliament House to Flinders St Station.
Time: Dawn Service—5.00am, March—10.00 AM
Location: Dawn Service—Kings Domain Resting Place, Linlithgow Avenue, March—Victorian Parliament House
Share The Spirit
Share the Spirit is a celebration of First Nations music, art, craft and culture.
Time: 11.00 AM
Location: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Kings Domain Gardens.
Pilk Purriyn Truth Telling
Surf Coast Shire Council is hosting a truth telling and smoking ceremony.
Time: From 5:30am to 7am
Location: Cosy Corner Beach
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 and headline acts by Kingbrown Bartlett, Miss Genius, Billy Narrier and the Band, and Aliwah Dancers.
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.
Time: 8.00 AM
Location: Queens Gardens, Meanjin.
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.
Tarndanya/Adelaide
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 the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre at 10.45am.
Time: 10.45am
Location: Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
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