National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week is a national celebration held across the first week of July each year. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. No matter your age, it’s never too late to start learning about their rich culture and recognising the importance of the land on which we reside. Here’s our list of five NAIDOC Week events in Adelaide that you and/or the kids can participate in this July.
1. NAIDOC SA March and Family Fun Day
This year, the NAIDOC SA March and Family Fun Day will be held on Friday 7 July, with the march taking place at 11am from Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square to Parliament House. The free community event will follow at Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square from 11:30am until 3:30pm which will see over 50 stalls including government and non-government organisations, the Men’s Zone, Women’s Zone, Elders Zone, Be Active Zone, Small Business Zone, and Children’s Zone, plus a heap of food and a free concert too.
Where: Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square
2. Yothu Yondi Illuminate Adelaide
Since Illuminate Adelaide’s inception in 2021, the festival has been wowing audiences with stunning light installations in spectacular collisions of technology, music and art. This year Australia’s renowned Yolngu rock band Yothu Yondi will be taking to the stage in a special NAIDOC Week performance at Hindley Street Music Hall which will double as their 30th anniversary celebration for one night only on Friday 7 July.
With original band members and fresh talent from the next generation, this revamped supergroup from far Northeast Arnhem Land will honour the music and movement that its founders sparked in 1986.
Where: Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
3. NAIDOC In The Mall
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, NAIDOC In The Mall will be held beneath the Gawler Place Canopy from 10:30am on Tuesday 4 July. The day will begin with an official Kaura Welcome to Country Ceremony and Smoking Ceremony, and the unveiling of artwork by Aboriginal artist Caitlyn Davies-Plummer of Dustin Koa Art. Following on from 11am, you can get up close with Australian animals, try native foods, listen to live music by Glenn Skuthorpe, as well as get into some learning activites for both you and the kids.
Where: Gawler Place Canopy, Rundle Mall
4. NAIDOC Community Event in Clovelly Park
On Wednesday 5 July between 12pm and 2pm, head to the Cosgrove Hall in Clovelly Park for the NAIDOC Community Event. The free, family-friendly arvo will see a Welcome to Country and dance performance by Petoila Wilson, live music by Ngananyi Lakinyeri, and native-focused catering by Meez On Plus, as well as complimentary coffee and cold drinks. Stunning works by First Nations artists will be on display too, and you can even take a piece home with you too. Oh, and don’t forget your picnic rug, and register your attendance here.
Where: Cosgrove Hall, Clovelly Park
5. Aboriginal Skies at the Adelaide Planetarium
On Friday 7 July between 7pm and 8pm at the Adelaide Planetarium, join UniSA Astronomy Lecturer Paul Curnow and Senior Elder Frank Wanganeen for Aboriginal Skies. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to find different constellations as seen by indigenous groups throughout Australia, hear Dreaming stories relevant to the night sky, and learn how constellations such as the Southern Cross and Orion are seen by Aboriginal people.
Where: Adelaide Planetarium, UniSA Mawson Lakes Campus
6. NAIDOC Children’s Reading at Mawson Lakes Library
On Thursday 6 July between 10am and 10:30am at the Mawson Lakes Library, bring the kids along to an educational morning with the library staff who will be reading NAIDOC themed kids’ stories. The free event requires no bookings, and is suitable for pre-school aged children, with adult accompaniment.