NAIDOC is ringing in its 50th anniversary with the theme: "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”: a celebration of not only the achievements and experiences of the past but the bright future ahead for First Nations communities.
Running from Sunday, July 6 through to Sunday, July 13, NAIDOC week marks an opportunity for Australians to come together and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Here are just some of the community events across Sydney we'll be attending.
Burramatta NAIDOC,11AM–3PM Saturday, July 12, Crescent Park
Discover First Nations music, food, dance and traditions at a free outdoor festival in Parramatta Park. Round up the family, pack your picnic rug, and head down to Crescent Park to celebrate the traditions and contemporary culture of Parramatta’s local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
NAIDOC In The City, 2:30–10:30PM, Thursday, July 10 from, Sydney Town Hall
Throughout the day, experience markets showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, clothing, homewares, before this space opens up to a free (but ticketed), all ages, live entertainment venue at 7PM. On the lineup you’ll find: 3%, Becca Hatch, Yung Brother and many more, in a night hosted by Isaac Compton and Kaylene Langford.
National Indigenous Art Fair 2025, Saturday, July 5–Sunday July 6, Overseas Passenger Terminal
Returning for its sixth annual market, National Indigenous Art Fair invites you to once again experience, shop, and meet First Nations artists. Nestled in the heart of The Rocks, this vibrant two-day market and cultural festival boasts an exciting lineup of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from some of the most remote communities across Australia. Plus: Live music, dance, weaving circles, bush food tastings, and fashion showcases.
Mia Boe—Nocturnal House, Friday, June 27–Saturday, July 19, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery
Melbourne/Naarm-based artist Mia Boe’s latest exhibition is a collision of realism and speculative fantasy, reflecting on the artist’s time in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). This latest series considers the emotional intensity of experiencing a setting so entangled with social, political and environmental friction. Discover Boe’s the distinctive visual language as she reckons with the themes of introspection, longing for connection, and the enduring reach of colonisation.
Tace Stevens—We Were Just Little Boys, Thursday, June 12 to Friday, July 11 119 Redfern St
Held at 119 Redfern St, We Were Just Little Boys marks a stirring photography exhibition featuring works from Noongar and Spinifex photographer Tace Stevens. This series tells the story of the survivors of the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home, a state-run institution where hundreds of Aboriginal boys forcibly removed from their families were sent. From historical photography to a series of present-day portraits of survivors, We Were Just Little Boys explores the devastating legacy of this historical travesty.
Volume presents: Lightning song, Wednesday, July 9, 5:30–10PM, Art Gallery of NSW
Art Gallery of NSW is marking NAIDOC week with a free night of surf rock, indie rock, folk rock, and dub to celebrate First Nations musicians. On the lineup, you’ll find beloved Yolŋu surf rockers, King Stingray, Alice Skye, and Keanu Nelson. Plus, the premiere of a new music composition by Bundjalung/Lama Lama singer-songwriter Kev Carmody will be played at various locations in Naala Badu throughout the night.
Marrow—Australian Dance Theatre, Thursday, July 10–Saturday, July 12, Carriageworks
Created by Australian Dance Theatre’s visionary Artistic Director, Daniel Riley, Marrow marks the latest work from Australian Dance Theatre. Described as a smoking ceremony for a country trapped by the past, Marrow promises to combine rave with ritual. A collaboration with ADT’s Company Artists, senior Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner AM, and rising composer James Howard (SAVAGE), Marrow offers Sydney audiences an explosive exploration of Australian identity.
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