Aboriginal Organisations, local governments, small town communities and more will come together to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly this NAIDOC Week across Victoria.
A number of events have already taken place in the lead up, with those coming including flag raising ceremonies, family days, truth-telling, art exhibitions and partys.
This year's NAIDOC Week, from Sunday July 5 to Sunday July 12, celebrates five decades of the event. The roots of NAIDOC Week run deeper still, with origins dating back to the January 26, 1938, Day of Mourning protest and trailblazing advocates.
Dozens more local events in addition to the below at being hosted across Victoria throughout the week, and can be found online.
Naarm CBD NAIDOC Week Flag Raising Ceremony
On Monday July 6, an early morning cultural ceremony at Camp Sovereignty is followed by a walk to the CBD for a minute of silence in memory of ancestors and the raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at Fed Square to mark the start of NAIDOC Week.
There are a number of other flag raising ceremonies on Monday and through the week across the state.
Cummeragunga Health and Development Aboriginal Corporation Family Day
On Monday, just over the border and Murray in NSW, Cummeragunga HDAC hosts its Family Day with the Flag Raising, lunch and kids activities
NAIDOC Sunrise Ceremony at Barwon Heads, Wadawurrung Country.
Non-profit environment care committee Barwon Coast and local Traditional Owners host its annual NAIDOC Sunrise Ceremony at Barwon Heads-end of the beach at Bukareeyoo from 7:15am for a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, performance and community gathering.
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation Events
From Tuesday, Bunurong Land Council is hosting a list of events 'celebrate Culture, Community and Country'.
Starting with their Flag Raising Ceremony at Head Office in Frankston on Tuesday, BLCAC moves on to sharing Bunurong History, Storytelling & Yarning with Robert Ogden on Thursday, a community event at Berninneit, Milawul (Cowes) on Saturday and Yingali Manmadji! Sing & Dance! at The Briars, Mount Martha on Sunday.
Elders' Truth-Telling in Mildura
On Tuesday, Mallee District Aboriginal Services invites people to come and attend meaningful discussion at the Belar Nursery in Mildura.
NAIDOC In the East
Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation hosts a raffle, live entertainment, lunch, family activities and more in Ringwood on Wednesday, July 8.
NAIDOC Movie Day
Screenings of Toy Story 5, Moana, Minions & Monsters are offered with free tickets for the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association's NAIDOC Movie Day on Thursday, July 9 at Hoyts Northland in Preston.
Aboriginal Community Elders Services NAIDOC Breakfast
ACES invites community to bring family, friends, colleagues and Elders for a fun morning of breakfast, entertainment, raffles, door prizes and a photo booth at their organisation office in Brunswick East from 7-11am on Thursday.
Wangaratta NAIDOC Week Community Event
A Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, food, stalls and activites are organised for Apex Park in Wangaratta from 10am on Thursday, hosted by VACCA.
NAIDOC March
From 9am, the crowd will gather at Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) building on Nicholson Street in Fitzroy before transcending south to the CBD for the annual NAIDOC Mark.
NAIDOC In the City
Following the NAIDOC March, ARIA-winning singer Christine Anu headlines NAIDOC in the City as Fed Sqaure with ZIPPORAH, Crooked TP & Brothers In Arms, Dungala Baimi, Bumpy, Benny Walker, LEO and Traditional Aboriginal Dance Group Yuloo also on the stafe.
More than 20 First Peoples stallholders, art with the Koorie Heritage Trust and kids activities are included in the event.
Victorian NAIDOC Gala Ball
Entertainment, food, fashion, performance and laughs are on the agenda for the 2026 Victorian NAIDOC Gala Ball at CENTREPIECE, Melbourne Park. Tickets have sold out for this event.
"50 Years of Deadly is both a reflection and a declaration. It acknowledges the strength it has taken to reach this milestone, not by chance, but because generations of people refused to be silenced. It recognises the organisers, artists, activists and communities who carried NAIDOC forward year after year, ensuring it remained grounded in culture and community," the National NAIDOC Committee said of 2026's theme.
"NAIDOC has always been more than a single week. It is a platform for truth-telling, a celebration of identity, and a statement of continuity. Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are leading change across every field. From health and education to media, business and the arts — telling their own stories, in their own way, on their own terms."
