A community celebration on Newcastle Foreshore
Awabakal Newcastle is bringing the community together on Newcastle Foreshore for NAIDOC 2026, marking 50 years of NAIDOC Week with a day of culture, music, food, stalls, rides, and entertainment.
On Monday, 6 July, the Awabakal Newcastle NAIDOC Celebration will take over Newcastle Foreshore with live performances, Traditional Dancers, yarning circles, stalls, food, drinks, rides, and more.
NAIDOC Week 2026 runs from 5–12 July, with this year’s theme celebrating 50 Years Deadly.
The Newcastle celebration will begin with a flag raising and march parade from Civic Park at 9am, before entertainment kicks off at Newcastle Foreshore from 10am.
Hosted by MCs Rodney Smith and Sharnee Fenwick, the day will feature performances from Street Warriors, Sharnee Fenwick, Jack Chambers, Maddie Lilley, Pamalyn Hyde Duo, The Quokkas, Speaking in Colour Traditional Dancers, and more.
Awabakal Newcastle NAIDOC Celebration
When: Monday, 6 July 2026
Where: Newcastle Foreshore Park, Wharf Road, Newcastle
Time: Flag raising and march parade from 9:00am at Civic Park; entertainment from 10:00am – 2:00pm at Newcastle Foreshore
The event schedule begins at 10am with a welcome from Uncle Raymond and Auntie Cheryl, followed by the opening of rides and vendors from 10:20am.
Across the day, the program includes performances from Maddie Lilley, The Quokkas, Midnight Dreaming with NAISDA Performing Arts, Jack Chambers, Sharnee Fenwick, Pamalyn Hyde Duo, Kai-Mani Smith, and Street Warriors.
There’ll also be stalls, food, drinks, rides, yarning circles will take place throughout the celebration, sessions focused on artefacts, bush tucker, making it a big community celebration for all ages.
