NAIDOC Week celebrating 50 years of deadly at Fed Square
See films, explore art, join a free workshop, catch a free concert and support First Peoples small business at an open air artist market this NAIDOC Week at Fed Square.
NAIDOC Week is an important annual week of national celebration, recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
At Fed Square, you can join in a cross-gallery tour exploring First Nations art, catch films by First Nations emerging and established filmmakers, shop at the KHT NAIDOC Week Market and support First Peoples artists, designers and small businesses, and celebrate with a free concert featuring Christine Anu.
This week’s NAIDOC Week theme is “50 Years of Deadly”, celebrating five decades of NAIDOC providing a national platform to recognise and elevate the stories, voices and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, activists, musicians and leaders.
Check out what’s on around the Square.
6–12 July, from sunset | Fed Square
This NAIDOC Week, Fed Square will light up the Square each evening in the colours of the Aboriginal flag, celebrating 50 Years of Deadly.
Free highlight celebrations
Mon 6 July, 8.30am–9.30am | Swanston St Forecourt
The annual Flag Raising Ceremony marks the official beginning of NAIDOC Week in Victoria, bringing together community members to honour the strength, survival, and ongoing cultural legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Fri 10 July, 12pm–6pm | Main Square
Christine Anu headlines an incredible line-up of First Peoples talent, as part of the annual NAIDOC in the City festival and free concert coming up in July. The event is an annual NAIDOC Week highlight, where you can explore the annual KHT NAIDOC Week market, showcasing First Peoples artists, designers and makers, join in free workshops, enjoy live entertainment, food and family-friendly activities for all ages.
Fri 10 July, 12pm–5.30pm | Main Square
Explore an art and design market featuring 27 First Peoples artists, designers and makers, and join in free creative workshops and activities for all ages. Shop for art, jewellery, fashion, textiles, homewares, prints, gifts and handcrafted works, meet the artists and designers and support First Nations small business. Featured artists and designers include Art by Bronwyn David, First Nations Aromatherapy, Galarra Creations, Haus of Dizzy & Haus of Ziggy Lee, Karillip Creations, KaToBi, Made By Minty, mara metal art, Marbeangrook Designs, Moonbird Creations, TIGSART and Wiimpatja Nhuungku Designs.
Saturday 11 July, 10am–5pm | The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia | Free entry
Enjoy a full day of free NAIDOC Week celebrations at NGV Australia. Explore First Nations art and design, enjoy live music and performances by local First Nations creatives, meet artists and curators through engaging talks and guided tours, join in drop-by drawing activities and let the little ones have fun on the Follow Me children’s activity trail. Everyone is welcome! Explore the full program online.
Workshops, talks and tours
Thu 9 July, 11am–1pm | KHT, Birrarung Building | Free, register online
Celebrate the anniversary of the Aboriginal Flag with Kristy Dickinson from Haus of Dizzy. Learn about the history of the flag and its significance to community and culture and make your own keychain in the Haus of Dizzy style for NAIDOC Week.
Sat 11 July, 1pm–2.30pm | NGV Australia and KHT | Free, register online
Join the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) for a cross-gallery tour exploring how First Peoples artworks are cared for and preserved. Led by NGV Conservator of Indigenous Art Genevieve Sullivan and KHT Collections Coordinator Katherine Giesen White, this all-ages experience offers insights into conservation practices across both institutions. Beginning at NGV and continuing at KHT, the tour includes selected works from MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection and an exploration of possum skin cloak making and conservation.
Tue 7 July, 10.30am and 2.30pm | ACMI | Free
Taungurung artist Mick Harding will host two intimate micro‑talks exploring Baan Biik Woora Woora (Water, Land and Sky) – his striking five‑screen animated welcome artwork currently installed in the ACMI foyer, near the entrance to the Main Square.
Stories on screen
7–10 Jul, 12pm–12.30pm | Big Screen
Catch the winning Koorie Youth Flick Fest films on the Big Screen during NAIDOC Week. The Koorie Youth Flick Fest is a competition open to First Nations young people, and provides an opportunity for them to tell their own stories through film. The films showcase the creativity and originality of these emerging young artists, and celebrate their stories. In 2026, entries had to meet this year’s theme of ‘Deadly’ and what ‘Deadly’ means to them.
Thursday 9 July, 7pm | ACMI Cinemas | Ticketed
A short film program spanning five decades of First Nations filmmaking. Featuring works by David Gulpilil, Tracey Moffatt, Beck Cole, Ivan Sen and Richard J. Frankland, these are stories of identity, resilience and resistance, told with power and without compromise.
Image: Flat (2002) © Blackfella Films
Fri 10 July, 1.30pm, Sat 11 July, 11am, Sun 12 July, 11am | ACMI Cinemas | Ticketed
Top End Wedding won hearts with its charm and big laughs. Now the sequel series is here. Top End Bub picks up five years on, with Lauren, Ned and a new addition to their family. We’re screening the first three episodes.
Tuesday 14 July, 10.15am–12.20pm | ACMI | Ticketed
A special NAIDOC Week screening of Sweet As, followed by a facilitated film talk designed for First Nations secondary students.
More to discover this NAIDOC Week
Throughout NAIDOC Week, you can explore free exhibitions at our museums and galleries, join in a First Peoples-led walking tour at KHT, and explore digital artwork commissions on the Big Screen.