If smashing tinnies while sitting in a kiddie pool on Australia Day isn’t your thing, this round-up definitely is for you.
For those who want to show support for #ChangeTheDate, and their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, there are rallies and marches in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart, as well as in smaller cities and towns around the country. Most of the events kick off late morning, so you can start your long weekend being part of something big and meaningful.
Sydney
You can celebrate Indigenous culture and survival at Camperdown’s Yabun Festival, the largest Indigenous festival in the country, which kicks off at 10am and runs until 7pm. The name means “music to a beat” in Gadigal language. Performers this year include Thelma Plum and Eurovision star Isaiah.
Parramatta Park also has a huge day of activities, including a special performance from Yothu Yindi. ‘Treaty’ is still a banger.
Speaking of bangers, you can also hit up Electric Gardens Festival in Centennial Parklands and catch Sigma, Bag Raiders, Set Mo, and heaps more.
Melbourne
The Balit Narrun /Share The Spirit Festival kicks off at 1pm in Treasury Gardens, featuring workshops plus an unreal lineup of Indigenous performers including Mojo Juju, Birdz, the Stiff Gins.
Over in Belgrave there’s a Survival Day event celebrating Indigenous culture with live music, dance and food.
You can also head over to the Australian Open Live Stage to catch Angus and Julia Stone, supported by the ace Alex Lahey – you don’t need match tickets, just a Ground Pass (which at $54 is probs less than you’d pay to see an A&J show inside the arena).
Brisbane
Get your hands on some native blooms with a floral arrangement workshop at Northside Flower Market – a creative way to show some love for the local plantlife and take home something pretty to look at all weekend.
Or skip the tinnies for some local craft brews, street art and chill time with the daylight lockdown party at West End brewery Green Beacon.
Perth
Escape the heat (31+!) at a movie in sweet air conditioning – Palace Cinemas is doing free wine-size upgrades (yesss) and lamington choc tops all weekend.
Then on January 27, you can head to Fremantle for One Day, a free festival headlined by Montaigne, along with performances by Adrian Eagle (the guy from Hilltop Hoods’ ‘Clark Griswold’) and Emily Wurramara.
Darwin
Something a little different is happening in the NT Capital, with the History Truth Education event in Civic Park from 11.30am, based around discussion and sharing a (free) meal.
Organised by local Jessie Bonton, a young Indigenous woman – who says she used to do the Aus Day thing “in a frickin’ Australian flag bikini” – it’s designed to bring everyone to the table to talk about what January 26 really means.
Adelaide
Hit up the ever-popular Indoor Plant Sale run by The Jungle Collective – the ticketed events often sell out, with keen beans heading over to snap up a cheeky monstera or two. Dress in your beach gear for discounts!
In the evening, you can check out Kumangka, Mukapainga, Tampinga – a gorgeous art installation in Elder Park celebrating Kaurna elders and other prominent Indigenous folks.
Canberra
The forecast is for a very hot day, so the Aboriginal Embassy’s event is kicking off early at 9am in Garema Place.
Then head indoors before it gets up to that dreaded 39-degree mark. The National Library has a fascinating, free exhibition about Captain Cook in the Pacific. An hour in there and you’ll know more about Scott Morrison’s boyfriend than the PM himself.