For many non-Indigenous Australians, January 26 has in recent years been marked as “Australia Day”, but for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, it is Invasion Day — a day of mourning, survival and protest. The date has become a time to grieve what the tall ships from England brought with them: death, suffering, and the beginning of more than two centuries of injustice and dispossession for First Nations people.
Just about every major capital city holds rallies and gatherings to call for action on issues such as transparency around Indigenous deaths in custody and changing the date of Australia Day from January 26 (or abolishing the holiday altogether).
Being a good ally to Indigenous Australians is about more than talking the talk; you need to walk the walk. This means you need to take action, too. And on January 26 this could be very literal — by walking in an Invasion Day protest.
So here is a list of Invasion Day events for 2026. It includes gatherings, protests, demonstrations, rallies, and marches on Monday, January 26, for you to attend and stand in solidarity with First Nations people across the mainland and our surrounding islands.
If you can’t attend a rally, consider participating online or by paying the rent instead.
Invasion Day Rallies, Protests & Other Events
Events to attend in NSW
VIGIL: BELONG
Vigil: Belong will be led by composer and vocalist Nardi Simpson, with Uncle Matthew Doyle tending fire and smoke. The evening gathers voices of all generations among Lucy Simpson’s sculptural artwork HELD at Barangaroo. Together, they transform Barangaroo Reserve into a space of shared memory, honouring those who came before and opening a path to the future.
The Vigil: Belong event is free and will be held at Barangaroo Reserve at 7pm on Monday, January 26.
DAWN REFLECTION
A Dawn Reflection will be held in Circular Quay from 5:20am, and will be accompanied by the Sydney Opera House being lit up with Aboriginal artwork to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land.
To see it, head to the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay.
INVASION DAY 2026 MARCH
The main Sydney Invasion Day rally will start Hyde Park at 10am. You can find more details and updates here.
THE WUGULORA CEREMONY
The WugulOra Ceremony (which includes a smoking ceremony and dance) will be held from 7:30am at Barangaroo Reserve. If you want to see it but can’t attend in person, it’ll also be broadcast on NITV, SBS, and SBS On Demand.
YABUN FESTIVAL
Yabun returns to Victoria Park in Broadway this year, and will also be streamed on the Yabun Festival website and on Koori Radio 93.7FM from 12pm.
Yabun Festival is the largest one-day gathering and recognition of First Nations people in Australia.
BLAK POWERHOUSE
Blak Powerhouse is a collaboration between the Indigenous social enterprise We Are Warriors and the Powerhouse Museum which seeks to “take back a day of sorrow” and turn it into “a day of power and positivity”.
You can check it out at Manning Bar, with Welcome to Country starting at 6pm and live music kicking off at 6:30pm on January 26.
NGARRAMA — NEWCASTLE
If you don’t live in Sydney, don’t worry. There are plenty of events you can attend.
One is Ngarrama, held by the University of Newcastle for the fifth year in a row. Kicking off at 7pm on January 25, Ngarrama features performances, dancing and illuminated puppets. Although the event is free, it is best to book a ticket in advance HERE.
SURVIVAL DAY — KATOOMBA & GRIFFITH
They may not be marches or protests but Survival Day events will be held from 11am to 3pm in two locations in Katoomba and Griffith.
The Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council, alongside Griffith City Council, will be hosting the event at the Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre. It’ll be free to enter and attendees will be able to be immersed in activities including traditional dancing, singing, cultural stalls and live music.
In Katoomba, a Survival Day event will be held at Katoomba North Public School.
Events to attend in VIC
DAWN SERVICE
A dawn service will be held at Camp Sovereignty at 5am on January 26.
PILK PURRIYN TRUTH TELLING
From 5.30am to 7am at the Cosy Corner Beach a truth telling and smoking ceremony will be held in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.
INVASION DAY 2026 PROTEST
The dawn service will be followed by the annual Invasion Day Rally at 11am at the Victorian Parliament which marches all the way to Flinders St Station.
REIGNITE OUR SPIRIT SURVIVAL DAY
The ‘Our Survival Day’ event will be held at The Briars at 12pm to 5pm. There will be performances from Jalgany, Ganga Giri, Muddy Lemons, Djarlo Dance Group and Kalat Dancers.
Tickets are free for mob and $32.80 each for allies.
INVASION DAY 2026 PROTEST IN DJILANG / GEELONG
The annual Invasion Day Rally will also start at 11am in Djilang / Geelong at Market Square Mall.
Events to attend in SA
MOURNING IN THE MORNING
Mourning in the Morning is a reflective event that features a smoking ceremony held by Kaurna cultural leader Uncle Moogy Sumner. It will be held at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on the banks of Adelaide’s River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri at 7.30am.
SURVIVAL DAY MARCH 2026
This year’s Survival Day March is happening at Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga at 11am with the march starting at 12pm.
Events to attend in WA
DAY OF MOURNING CEREMONY
Greens senator Dorinda Cox will be hosting a ceremony to acknowledge the past and take action towards a better future from 9am at Victoria Gardens Foreshore.
INVASION DAY 2026 PROTEST
An Invasion Day rally is currently planned for Forrest Chase, on Wellington Street in Boorloo / Perth, from 12pm. There will be a rally before the march kicks off at 1pm, ending at Stirling Gardens.
RUBIBI SURVIVAL DAY
Goolarri Media is back with another huge night of live music in Rubibi / Broome, featuring an incredible line-up of First Nations performers. Gates open from 4:30pm. Tickets: Under 10s free, $15 online and $20 at the door.
Events to attend in QLD
INVASION DAY RALLY
The Meanjin / Brisbane march is kicking off with speeches starting at 10am at Queens Gardens and the march beginning at 12pm. There will also be Musgrave performances on entrance of marchers.
WE HAVE SURVIVED!
The Sunshine Coast is holding its own Invasion Day event to commemorate Indigenous folks’ survival. The We Have Survived! event will be held at Sunshine Coast City Hall and kick off at 9am.
GIMUY/ CAIRNS INVASION DAY RALLY
The Gimuy / Cairns march starts at 9am in Fogarty Park.
Events to attend in ACT
SOVEREIGNTY DAY RALLY
The Sovereignty Day rally organised by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy will take place at the Garema Place from 9.30am.
Events to attend in NT
We will update this article when events are announced.
Events to attend in TAS
INVASION DAY MARCH
Nipaluna / Hobart’s Invasion Day march will kick off at 11am at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC), for an 11:20am departure as we march to Parliament Lawns where a rally will be held at 12pm.
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