A host of events, activities, performances and workshops will be held during NAIDOC Week in Canberra. Photo: Parliament of Australia.
NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to come together to acknowledge the contributions of First Nations people and learn about their rich heritage.
It serves as an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities and to advocate for positive change but it’s also a joyful celebration of the world’s oldest continuing culture.
There is a lot going on across the ACT to commemorate, remember and celebrate First Nations’ culture during NAIDOC Week.
Starting with a flag-raising ceremony at Boomanulla Oval, where visitors can enjoy free homemade food, there are plenty of activities to join, including special workshops and exhibitions at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre for a hands-on interaction with Indigenous culture.
Indigenous arts take centre stage at the Belco Arts Centre for a special exhibition of art, cultural performances, activities and workshops.
Here’s what’s on during the week.
Multiple Days
A bogong moth lino block. You can learn to use lino and block inks to create your own themed print. Photo: Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
NAIDOC Week at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
When: Various exhibitions from 5 July to 12 July
Where: Various locations including Woden Library and Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Cost: From free to $10.
Celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and contributions of Aboriginal people at Tuggeranong Arts Centre this NAIDOC week.
A variety of events, including workshops and exhibitions, are happening from 5 July to 12 July. Read our main article for more information.
Have a look at the NPG exhibitions from the comfort of your home or institution. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Virtual Excursions at the NPG
When: From 6 July to 13 July
Where: See calendar for booking information, online sessions
Cost: Free.
Virtual Excursions are informative, educational tours from the NPG available for students, organisations or anyone looking for insights into the artworks at the NPG. It has various tours, such as The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, all about this year’s NAIDOC theme told through First Nations’ art.
Or check out Portrait Journey around Australia, a tour aimed at upper primary students telling Australian stories from First Nations and migrant perspectives through portraits.
Sunday
NAIDOC Week officially starts with the flag raising ceremony. Image: NAIDOC Week ACT, Facebook.
Flag Raising Ceremony
When: 6 July, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Boomanulla Oval, 169 Goyder Street, Narrabundah
Cost: Free.
NAIDOC Week officially launches with the Canberra and District Aboriginal Corporation Flag Raising Ceremony.
Celebrate the start of the week with the raising of the flags, a welcome to country, a Torres Strait Islander greeting, free home-made soup and a free morning tea. There will also be a coffee van on-site to help beat the cold.
Tuesday
Indigenous stories of resilience at a special film showing. Image: Australian Sustainable Finance Institute.
NAIDOC Week movie night – We Are Still Here
When: July 8, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Palace Electric, 2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra
Cost: General admission tickets $10. Indigenous attendants free. Book here.
This film anthology presents the work of 10 Indigenous filmmakers from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, telling eight interwoven stories that demonstrate the resilience of Indigenous people. The film will combine elements of drama, animation and archival film across fictional and non-fictional stories crossing 1000 years.
Colonisation, resilience, cultural preservation and the courage of survival are the centre of this special film showing.
A Good Kind of Trouble with Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward. Image: National Library of Australia.
A Good Kind of Trouble with Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward at the National Library
When: 8 July, 6 pm to 7 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West
Cost: Free, but bookings are essential. Tickets available through National Library of Australia.
Join Brooke Blurton and Dr Melanie Saward as they yarn about their new young adult novel, A Good Kind of Trouble, and what it means to write Indigenous-led stories for today’s young people.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities and the legacy of our ancestors. This year also marks the milestone of 50 years of NAIDOC Week.
Wednesday
Enrol the kids in creative writing and drawing workshops with Ronojoy Ghosh. Photo: National Library of Australia.
School holiday activity: Creative writing and drawing workshop with Ronojoy Ghosh at the National Library
When: 9 July, 10 am to noon
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West
Cost: $15 per participant. Tickets available through National Library of Australia.
Join children’s picture book creator Ronojoy Ghosh for a writing and drawing school holiday activity.
In this hands-on creative workshop children will be inspired by Ronojoy’s engaging drawings and storytelling to unlock their own creativity and believe that anything is possible! Ronojoy will teach the joy of drawing and writing by co-creating a story and characters together, and supporting participants to explore their own fantastic ideas and personal artistic style.
This activity is suitable for children six to 10 years of age. All drawing and writing materials will be supplied.
Saturday
Explore the deep cultural connection of the Ngunnawal people to the land and the Murrumbidgee River. Photo: ACT Historic Places.
Maring Ngala Walk – NAIDOC Week
When: 12 July 10:30 am to noon and 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa
Cost: General Admission $30; Concession $25. Bookings required, for more information visit ACT Historic Places.
Join Ngunnawal custodian Wally Bell on a walk at Lanyon Homestead to learn about Aboriginal connection to the area and the Murrumbidgee River.
Discover the significance of the Canoe Tree to the Ngunnawal people and what its presence here tells us of the strong community that lived within the cultural landscape.
Celebrate First Nations cultures at Belco Arts. Image: Belco Arts.
NAIDOC in the North 2025
When: 12 July, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
Cost: Free.
Join Belco Arts for its 10th anniversary of NAIDOC in the North, a celebration of Indigenous culture in Canberra’s North.
This is a free, family-friendly event on the lands of the Ngunnawal People which welcomes all ages and backgrounds to learn from the community and enjoy the world’s oldest continuing culture.
In addition to the cultural showcases, there will also be workshops, performances, activities and entertainment.
