All the Invasion Day marches, rallies & events taking place across Australia in 2026
January 26 is not a day of celebration.
Whether you choose to join a march, attend a commemorative ceremony or engage with community at one of the many First Nations–led festivals held across the country, there are meaningful ways to acknowledge the day.
Below is a guide to the Invasion Day marches, rallies and events taking place across Australia’s capital cities.
Gadigal/Sydney
People participate in a protest rally on Abercrombie Street in Chippendale on January 26, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Image: Getty
Dawn Reflection
This year’s event will showcase the incredible art of Wiradjuri – Biripi artist James P. Simon – as projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Time: 05:20 AM – 05:40 AM
Location: Overseas Passenger Terminal, 3 Circular Quay West, The Rocks
Morning Ceremony
The WugulOra (One Mob) Morning Ceremony will be held at Barangaroo Reserve. The event will feature a smoking ceremony, special performances and addresses.
Time: 07:30 AM – 08:30 AM
Location: Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo.
Invasion Day March
NSW Police has extended protest restrictions introduced in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, however have lifted limitations across Hyde Park and parts of Sydney’s southern CBD.
The decision allows both Invasion Day gatherings and nationalist demonstrations to proceed on Australia Day, following days of uncertainty around public assembly permissions.
The city’s annual Invasion Day rally is expected to go ahead at Belmore Park in the CBD.
Time: 10 AM onwards
Location: Belmore Park, Gadigal CBD.
Yabun Festival
Celebrating 20 years this year, Yabun festival is the largest one-day gathering and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia.
If you can’t make it to the festival then you can also listen in via Koori Radio 93.7FM in Greater Sydney.
Time: 10 AM – 7 PM
Location: Victoria Park, Broadway.
Blak Powerhouse
Back for its third consecutive year, Blak Powerhouse is a partnership between We Are Warriors and Powerhouse to take over Manning House at the University of Sydney.
Time: 6 PM – 11 PM
Location: Manning House, Manning Road, Camperdown.
Ngunnawal/Canberra
Aboriginal Australians prepare to perform a traditional dance during an Invasion Day rally on January 26, 2025. Image: Getty
Sovereignty Day Rally
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Garema Place, Canberra City.
Naarm/Melbourne
Invasion Day Rally
In Naarm, you can join the annual Invasion Day rally, which will see protesters march from Victorian Parliament House to Flinders St Station.
Time: 11 AM – 2 PM
Location: Parliament House, Corner Spring St and Bourke St, Melbourne.
Share The Spirit
Time: 12 PM
Location: Treasury Gardens, Melbourne.
Pilk Purriyn Truth Telling
Pilk Purriyn is a truth-telling event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.
Time: From 5:30 AM to 7 AM
Location: Cosy Corner Beach, The Esplanade, Torquay.
Boorloo/Perth
Protestors march towards Victoria Park during an Invasion Day rally on January 26, 2025. Image: Getty
Reflect Respect Celebrate
Time: 8 AM – 10 AM
Location: Victoria Gardens.
Invasion Day Protest
The Perth Invasion Day protest will commence at midday at Forrest Place, before proceeding towards Stirling Gardens.
Time: 12 PM onwards
Where: Forrest Place, Perth CBD.
Meanjin/Brisbane
Invasion Day March
Time: From 10 AM
Location: Queens Gardens, George St, Brisbane City, Meanjin.
We Have Survived! March
This year is the Sunshine Coast’s third Invasion Day procession beginning at Foundation Square and moving to Cotton Tree Park.
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Location: Corner of First Avenue and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore.
Garramilla/Darwin
The sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated by a projection of artwork by Kamilaroi woman and artist Rhonda Sampson on January 26, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Image: Getty
Justice Not Jails
A Survival Day picnic will take place from 4pm to 6pm with speeches, music and food at the Nightcliff Foreshore by the Rapid Creek footbridge.
Time: 4 PM – 6 PM
Location: Nightcliff Foreshore
Tarntanya/Adelaide
Survival Day March
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.
Mourning In The Morning
The Mourning in the Morning ceremony begins with a welcome to Kaurna country, followed by First Nations speakers, musicians, dancers, and interactive activities grounded in respect. The event will conclude at 8.45am with a smoking ceremony by revered Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner.
Time: 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Location: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama, King William Street, Adelaide.
Nipaluna/Hobart
Invasion Day March & Rally
Time: 11 AM
Location: 198 Elizabeth St, Hobart
This article was originally published on Marie Claire Australia and was republished here with permission.
