Burramatta NAIDOC Day will light up The Crescent, Parramatta Park, this NAIDOC Week with a free, fun, family-friendly festival.
On Saturday 11 July from 11am to 3pm, Burramatta NAIDOC Day is a City of Parramatta major event featuring an outdoor concert, workshops, dance performances, market stalls and more.
First Nations music stars Dobby, Stiff Gins, Akala Newman and Cooee will feature on the 50 Years of Deadly Stage.
Visitors can explore the colourful market stalls selling art, fashion, jewellery and more, enjoy family activities and cultural workshops, and grab a hot drink or something delicious to eat.
Burramatta NAIDOC Day celebrates '50 Years of Deadly' with an immersive experience honouring Dharug and other First Nations people's rich culture and enduring strength.
In addition to live music and dance performances, patrons can try their hand at traditional bushfood cooking and weaving workshops, shop for something special at the market stalls, or listen to captivating songs and stories.
'Celebrating NAIDOC on Dharug Country is something I'll never take for granted'
Akala Newman, who will be performing on the 50 Years of Deadly Stage, told National Indigenous Times performing in Parramatta "always feels like coming home".
"My EP (A)RISE, which I'll be performing, was deeply shaped by the guidance of incredible Dharug women and Elders in my life—Aunty Julie Jones Webb, Aunty Leanne Tobin and Jacinta Tobin—who have taught me culture and the power of community," she said.
"Every time I step onto a stage here, I'm reminded that I only get to do so because of the people who came before me. Celebrating NAIDOC on Dharug Country is something I'll never take for granted."
Organisers encourage members of the public to bring family and friends to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly and the vibrant cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Recognising and honouring continued connection of First Nations people to the land and community
Warami, the City of Parramatta's umbrella festival for key First Nation events and programs, works to bring together community, culture and storytelling across the city.
Warami recognises and honours continued connection of First Nations people to the land and community. It also offers a platform for individuals from various backgrounds and cultures to engage with and learn about the culture and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The name Parramatta is derived from the word Baramada/Burramatta or 'place where the eels lie down' (breeding location for eels within the Parramatta River).
Warami is a Dharug word meaning 'good to see you' and sets the tone for a program grounded in welcome, connection and shared experience.
The 2026 program is comprised of the Burramatta NAIDOC major event, and the National Sorry Day commemorative event.
2026 National NAIDOC Week - '50 Years of Deadly'
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in July each year to celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' history, culture, and achievements. In 2026 NAIDOC runs from 5 - 12 July.
The theme for the 2026 National NAIDOC Week, '50 Years of Deadly', marks five decades of NAIDOC Week; a week dedicated to amplifying and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. This event invites everyone to join in celebrating and supporting the vibrant cultural heritage of these communities.
