NAIDOC Week
Sun 5 July 2026 – Sun 12 July 2026
NAIDOC Week 2026, 50 Years of Deadly, is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the shire.
Get involved in this year's events with the following FREE activities planned for Ballina Shire:
Annual Celebration Walk
Monday 6 July 2026
- Meet at Ballina RSL Club: 10.00am (walk begins 10:30am)
- Walk along River Street to Ballina Visitor Information Centre
- Includes: Flag raising ceremony, speeches, dancers, BBQ, displays, stalls, games
- Morning tea for community Elders (Richmond Room)
- Note: River Street will be temporarily closed during the walk
For more information visit discoverballina.com.au
Bunjum Jarjum Sports and Cultural Day
Tuesday 7 July
- Kingsford Smith Park | 10.00am - 2.00pm
- Sports, games and activities for jarjums
For more information, contact Isobel at Bunjum Aboriginal Corporation on 6681 1540.
Elders Lunch and Bingo Lingo
Wednesday 8 July
Contact Melissa at Bullinah AHS for more information on 6681 5644.
Bunjum Community Cultural Music Day
Thursday 9 July
- Missingham Park | 10.00am - 2.00pm
- Goori Cultural Art & Music Festival
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Cultural activities include weaving, dancing, jewellery making, cultural art, cultural tours, bush tucker tasting and music.
For more information, contact Isobel at Bunjum Aboriginal Corporation on 6681 1540.
Bullinah 3x3 Basketball Competition
Friday 10 July 2026
- BISC | 10.00am - 2.00pm
- Ages 4 -16 yrs
- 3x3 comp, skills & drills, activities, arts, craft. Singlets will be provided, there will be pizza for lunch
Contact Bullinah for more information - James Harrington 0487168487
Weaving & Drawing Circle
Sat 11 July 2026
- Ignite Studios - 60 Crane Street Ballina | 10am - 1pm
- Free and open to all ages
A restorative, creative weaving circle with Nyangbal/Bundjalung artist Aunty Tania Marlowe and fibre artist/educator Debra Cole from Jugan Dandii, and drawing circle with exhibiting artists, Bundjalung/Dunghutti Aunty Sonya Breckenridge and Maurita Moran. This is a gentle invitation to sit, draw, weave, and have a cuppa and a yarn together in community, on the last weekend of NAIDOC week.
For more information visit the Northern Rivers Community Gallery website or call 02 6681 0530.
Nanang Wabang Exhibition | Sonya Breckenridge and Maurita Moran
Thursday 25 June - Sunday 16 August 2026
For more information visit Northern Rivers Community Gallery or call 02 6681 0530
Nyangbal Elders NAIDOC Pop-Up Exhibition
Wednesday 8 July - Sunday 12 July 2026
- Proceeds from works sold support Nyangbal Elders attending the 2027 Elders Olympics
- Official Opening: Wednesday 8 July | 10.00am
- Wed-Fri: 10.00am - 2.00pm & Sat-Sun: 10.00am - 1.00pm
- Ignite Studios, 60 Crane Street, Ballina
A special exhibition by local Nyangbal Elders for NAIDOC Week 2026. Works on display use a combination of natural ochres and other materials sourced on Bundjalung Country and represent this year’s NAIDOC theme “50 Years of Deadly” alongside themes of family, cultural connections, colours of country, nature, gathering, ceremony and homeland.
For more information visit the Northern Rivers Community Gallery website.