NAIDOC Week celebrates 50 Years of Deadly – here are the top must-do events
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From beautiful art to rock ‘n’ roll, NAIDOC Week 2026 has everything.
The theme this year is “50 Years of Deadly”, honouring five decades of NAIDOC Week as a national movement. In Aboriginal and Toris Strait Islander languages, the word “deadly” is a term of praise meaning strong, great, excellent or proud.
This year, NAIDOC Week is about honouring the elders, communities and activists that have sustained the platform for half a century.
Here’s how you can join in on the fun.
Weaving workshop with Jessika Spencer
To help represent NAIDOC Week, join Wiradjuri fibre artist Jessika Spencer for an immersive, hands-on weaving workshop teaching people about culture and discovering Aboriginal weaving techniques using raffia and other natural materials. Participants will be guided through the foundations of weaving whilst creating their own bracelets and necklaces to take home.
Gifted storyteller and weaver Jessika Spencer will guide you through the ancient Aboriginal weaving techniques. Passing her knowledge down through generations, keeping the culture alive. This free beginner-friendly workshop offers an opportunity to connect with Aboriginal cultural practices through creativity. It’s perfect for ages 12 & above
Saturday 4 July, 11 am and 1 pm | Monaro Mall, Canberra Centre | eventbrite.com.au
Boomerang Painting Workshop with Ross Spencer
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, connect with Aboriginal artist Ross Spencer for an immersive boomerang painting workshop celebrating creativity, culture and storytelling through Aboriginal art practices. Everybody participating will learn about the culture and symbolism that painting and boomerangs have whilst also connecting with personal expression.
Recommended for ages six and above, this workshop was created as a welcoming and collaborative workshop experience. Everyone will leave with their very own painted boomerang artwork to take home and enjoy.
Sunday 5 July, 11 am and 1 pm | Monaro Mall, Canberra Centre |eventbrite.com.au
NAIDOC Week Illumination
This year, the Parliament House façade will be transformed with a stunning illumination of the artwork Numbat Night, a 2024 artwork by John Prince Siddon, a Walmajarri artist based in Rubibi/Broome.
Siddon’s work weaves together contemporary life and ancestral creation stories. Influenced by the traditional Kimberley craft boab nut carving, desert iconography, television and the characters of the Narrangkarni (Dreamtime), his style is layered, eclectic and vividly expressive. He describes this as ‘all mixed up’. Through artwork, he reflects the deep connections that bind culture, landscape, animals and people.
Sunday 5 July–Tuesday 7 July | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | aph.gov.au
The Colleano Heart + Q&A at the National Film and Sound Archive
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at the National Film and Sound Archive with a special digital screening from the archive collection. The remarkable documentary, The Colleano Heart, traces the fascinating story of legendary Aboriginal boxer and showman Con Colleano alongside his talented extended family of circus performers. Exploring performance, politics, and cultural identity, the film examines how public figures shape lasting narratives far beyond their own lifetimes. An insightful post-screening Q&A session with filmmaker and NFSA Head of First Nations Engagement Pauline Clague follows the presentation. It offers a powerful look at resilience and adaptation.
Sunday 5 July | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
NAIDOC Week at the National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia’s NAIDOC Week program honours the diverse cultures, knowledges and creative practice of local, national and international First Nations artists.
The week begins with a moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, led by Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri-Kamberri, Walgalu Senior Custodian.
Watch acclaimed Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist Dr Jandamarra Cadd create a mural, then join him for school holiday workshops where children and teens paint their own artworks, exploring identity and belonging through their environment.
Explore stories of cultural renewal in the pop-up exhibitionFrom Little Things, Big Things GROW – From Nambour to Canberra, led by Aunty Jude Hammond, Gunngarri/Kamilaroi Elder.
See renowned Haida artist Clarence Mills at work on the iconic Haida totem pole, and don’t miss out on a free First Australians tour.
Monday 6 to Friday 10 July | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Jerikye and The Crawdads
Stop by to see the infamous rock ‘n’ roll band Jerkiye and The Crawdads, led by Jerikye Williams, a proud Wiradjuri man and highly compelling tribute artist. Celebrating connection, culture and resilience in their music, Jerikye and The Crawdads will light up the theatre with their mix of classical and original hits. Using their obsession for classic 1950s and 1960s rock ‘n’ roll, he has been backed by musicians who have been fixtures of the local Canberra music scene since the 1980s. For a blast from the past and present, join Jerikye and The Crawdads on Monday 6 July at the Q, Queanbeyan.
Monday 6 July, 7 pm | The Q, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Celebrating Indigenous Leadership in Policy Making
Head along to see a public lecture about Indigenous leadership in policy making, presented by Sue-Anne Hunter. Sue is recognised as a leader in the First Nations child and family services sector. Sue-Anne Hunter will be reflecting on the national significance of her historic appointment and sharing her priorities for policy reform to better protect Indigenous children and young people.
Held in recognition of NAIDOC Week, this special event represents leadership in policy making and recognising the success and innovation of Indigenous-led policy.
Tuesday 7 July, 6 pm – 7.45 pm | Theatre 2, Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre, Tangney Road, Acton | eventbrite.com.au
Ngurumbang-dhi Fashion Exhibition
Explore Ngurumbang-dhi, an extravagant collaborative collection by Corella & Crow, founded by skilled designers Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley. On show in the windows of Belco Arts, these beautiful pieces were originally created for the 2025 Country to Couture runway. Diving into the deep connection between fashion, community and culture, this collection shows the amazing hand-worked surfaces and mindful approach when creating the pieces. Rather than using synthetic dyes, the collection employs techniques such as botanical dyeing, mark making and layering to achieve its earthy, country-inspired aesthetic. Each piece is unique, while all still deeply connected with the Country and telling their own stories.
Friday 10 July–Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
My Country, My Connection Exhibition
This is an exhibition that is deeply personal to a Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman at the Belconnen Arts Centre. My Country, My Connection explores the cultural links and connections she has been through on her journey through life, fortunate to live on both her grandmother’s and grandfather’s traditional countries for most of her life. Now living on the beautiful Yuin Nation country, this is a special place to her because her mother lived on this land for two decades whilst maintaining her traditional connections. The artist is bringing all three of her distinct regional backgrounds together for her walk-through exhibition. Go visit the Pivot Gallery to see a beautiful backstory of a full circle moment.
Friday 10 July–Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Ngiaga Art Exhibition
Hop into the West Gallery for a journey through the Ngiaga Art Exhibition, a beautiful showcase of mixed-media works created by First Nations artists. Grounded in spirituality, country and genealogy, this deeply autobiographical series takes a walk through the interconnected stages of life through 10 meaningful themes, including birth, heritage, society and purpose. Each draws on through lived experiences and cultural knowledge. Showing how we move in the world, not just as an individual but as part of a collective experience, everyone is welcome to go and take a walk through and connect with these extraordinary pieces.
Friday 10 July–Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Yawarj Mara Young Men’s Art Exhibition
At Belconnen Arts Centre, go see the spectacular Yawarj Mara Young Men’s Art Exhibition. A mentoring and culture program directed by a proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri man, Mitchell Daley, this vital program regularly engages over forty young Aboriginal people aged ten to eighteen from across north Canberra. Creative arts are a big part of this program, and this stunning showcase in the Nook broadcasts artworks and artifacts created by the participants of the group. Helping people express their journey and identity whilst showing their connection to culture. These unique works are focused on inspiring the next generations with strength, vision and a lasting legacy.
Friday 10 July–Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Blaque Showgirls Film Screening
Go celebrate NAIDOC Week at The Q by watching a cinematic screening of the 2023 Griffin Theatre hit play Blaque Showgirls, written by Nakkiah Lui. It’s based on a fair-skinned Sarah Jane Jones – a lonely kid in rural Australia, who was absolutely convinced that she was the best dancer in her town and a proud Aboriginal woman. When a long-lost photograph shows hope of her Indigenous ancestry, she rushes to the flashiest casino in Brizvegas to land a role for a First Nations burlesque spectacular by any means necessary. Nakkiah Lui’s fiercely satirical cinematic cult classic is paired with an exclusive post-screening Q&A with one or a few of the cast members.
Saturday 11 July, 7 pm | The Q, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at Parliament House
For the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, go celebrate the history, culture and achievements of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
At the Australian Parliament House, visitors can join a range of free activities for the whole family to enjoy:
- Artwork on display: A spectacular spectacle, don’t miss the Parliament House façade illumination of Numbat Night by Walmajarri artist John Prince Siddon. It envisions the celebrations of First Nations culture, biodiversity and spiritual connections. On Sunday 5 July until Tuesday 7 July.
- Indigenous Stargazing with Indigenous astronomer and Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay man Peter Swanton in association with the ANU Astronomy Society.On Wednesday 8 July.
- Bush Animal Making Workshop led by Ronnie Jordan, a Pitta Pitta Wangkamahdla woman. On Friday 10 July.
- Yeribee tour: Take the Yeribee Indigenous Experiences of Democracy Tour – a specialised tour which explores experiences and artworks of the First Nations people within our democracy. Highlighting stories of trailblazers and the first Aboriginal Australians elected to Parliament, it’s available from Wednesday 8 July until Saturday 11 July, from 12 pm until 12.45 pm; offered free during NAIDOC Week (a saving of $28 per person).
- Cultural flags: At Parliament House, you can go and see the ceremonial flags throughout the week, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on the 44 ceremonial flag poles outside the building. On Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July
Various dates | Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra | aph.gov.au
