National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week 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.

NAIDOC is usually held in the first week (a Sunday to Sunday) of July. It incorporates the second Friday – which historically was celebrated as 'National Aboriginal Day'.

The 2024 National NAIDOC Theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.

This year's theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.

Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Regional Guide

Check out the list of events happening across the Sunshine Coast to celebrate NAIDOC 2024. Join the First Nations community in celebrating NAIDOC and together we can Keep the Fire Burning!

If you have a public event you would like added to the Regional Guide, please email firstnations@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Sunshine Coast Libraries – First Nations Collection

Visit your local library during NAIDOC Week to collect your limited edition First Nations library card. The cards feature artwork by Kabi Kabi artists, Kane Brunjes and Amanda Pitt-Lythgoe. Discover more of the First Nations library collection featuring First Nations authors, musicians, games and more.

Date: Monday, 1 July 2024 to Sunday, 14 July 2024

Location: Your local Sunshine Coast Library branch, see the Library Locations page for more information.

Tickets and further information: Find out more online on Sunshine Coast Libraries NAIDOC page.

Patel Era - Chloe Watego Art Exhibition

Join Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodian Brianna Hanson for a Wayapa experience. This is an earth connection practice that is based on ancient Indigenous wisdom that focuses on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating earth, mind, body and spirit well-being.

Date: Friday, 7 June to Sunday, 14 July 2024

Time: 9am - 5pm

Location: Maroochydore Library, 44 Sixth Avenue, MAROOCHYDORE QLD 4558

Tickets and further information: Entry is free, for further information, please visit Council’s Libraries page.

Contemporary Songlines Exhibition

Join Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodian Brianna Hanson for a Wayapa experience. This is an earth connection practice that is based on ancient Indigenous wisdom that focuses on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating earth, mind, body and spirit well-being.

Date: Friday, 21 June to Sunday, 18 August 2024

Time: 10am - 4pm

Location: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551

Tickets and further information: Entry is free, for further information, please visit Council’s Caloundra Regional Gallery page.

Bushland Holiday Program: Wayapa Wuurrk

Join Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodian Brianna Hanson for a Wayapa experience. This is an earth connection practice that is based on ancient Indigenous wisdom that focuses on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating earth, mind, body and spirit well-being.

Date: Thursday, 4 July 2024

Time: 9am – 10.30am

Location: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha QLD 4554

Tickets and further information: Suitable for children aged 10+ years. Check out the Facebook event page for further information. Tickets essential – please purchase your ticket via Eventbrite.

Baringa Community Centre NAIDOC Family Fun Day

Murrawarra would love for you to come celebrate NAIDOC with us this year. We will have cultural dancing, didgeridoo playing, live music, market stalls, free activities, plaster painting, face painting, balloon tying , slime zone, and the delicious frothin kebabs truck come to join us!

Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024

Time: 10am – 2pm

Location: Baringa Community Centre, 20 Edwards Terrace, Baringa QLD 4551

Tickets and further information: Book your free ticket via humantix.

Jinibara digital stories

Hear inspiring stories from local First Nations elders on the brilliant big screen at Sunshine Coast City Hall which measures a whopping 7.68 metres long x 1.08m high. The two short films are around 5 minutes in length each and will play on repeat throughout NAIDOC Week.

Dates: Monday, 8 July to Friday, 12 July 2024

Times: 8.30am – 4.30pm

Location: Sunshine Coast City Hall, 54 First Avenue, Maroochydore QLD 4558

Caloundra Health Service NAIDOC Celebration

Date: Monday, 8 July 2024

Time: 11am – 12.30pm

Location: Caloundra Health Service BBQ Courtyard, 2 West Terrace, Caloundra QLD 4551

Tickets and further information: Please RSVP by contacting the Cultural Practice Program team on 0414 491 641 or email sc-cultural-practice-program@health.qld.gov.au

Yarnup with Aunty Jude Hammond - Galleries Curator Talk

Come along for some great insights about the Contemporary Songlines exhibition and project with Aunty Jude's Yarnup. Find out about the project intent, action and future vision of the project and Bangarra for First Nations youth, and our community.

Date: Monday, 8 July 2024

Time: 2pm to 3pm

Location: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551

Tickets and further information: Registration is essential. Book your free ticket via humanitix.

First Nations Dyungungoo digital interactive and immersive experience

Using an Xbox gaming console, participants interact with the First Nations people they meet on a journey of survival prior to European settlement.

Dates: Wednesday, 10 to Sunday, 14 July 2024

Time: 10am – 3pm

Location: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518

Tickets and further information: Please see Council’s Heritage website for more information.

Self-Guided Tour – Bark Canoe and documentary

See the canoe built by Lyndon Davis, Brent Miller, Nathan Morgan and Kerry Jones using the traditional skills and traditions of bark canoe making. Watch the short video discussing the project’s national significance and value to the community.

Dates: Wednesday, 10 to Sunday, 14 July 2024

Time: 10am – 3pm

Location: Landsborough Museum, 4 Maleny Street Landsborough QLD 4550

Tickets and further information: Please see Council’s Heritage website for more information.

Sunshine Coast Council’s NAIDOC 2024 Flag Raising

Hosted at the Nambour Library Forecourt, the NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony 2024 will include special First Nations performances and presentations.

This civic event showcases the Sunshine Coast First Nations community by highlighting the significance of First Nations connection to Country, their values and their culture.

Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm

Location: Nambour Library Forecourt, Corner of Currie and Bury Streets, Nambour QLD 4560

Tickets and further information: Free – Please register via Eventbrite

Suncare NAIDOC Event

Suncare invites you to join them in recognising the culture and achievements of First Nations peoples.

Participate in a range of activities, including painting your very own mug, jewellery making workshop with Aunty Paula and indulge in an array of Indigenous delicacies throughout the event.

Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Time: 10.30am – 1.30pm

Location: Suncare Community Centre, 2-8 George Street, Maroochydore QLD 4558

Tickets and further information: Please RSVP by 26 June 2024 by calling 1800 786 227.

Nambour Hospital NAIDOC Celebration

Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Time: 11am – 12.30pm

Location: Nambour General Hospital (Kakadu Pagoda), Hospital Road, Nambour QLD 4560

Tickets and further information: Please RSVP by contacting the Cultural Practice Program team on 0414 491 641 or email sc-cultural-practice-program@health.qld.gov.au

Caloundra Community Centre - Keep the Fire Burning

Keep the Fire Burning with Caloundra Community Centre's NAIDOC Week celebration. Share, listen and learn with First Nations workshops, stalls, smoking ceremony, ‘Murri's Got Talent’ talent show, free woodfired pizza and much more!

Date: Thursday, 11 July 2024

Time: 10am - 2pm

Location: Caloundra Community Centre, 58A Queen Street, Caloundra QLD 4551

Tickets and further information: Please RSVP by contacting Dana on 0493 597 302 or email admin@calcomm.org.au

Sunshine Coast University Hospital NAIDOC Celebration

Date: Thursday, 11 July 2024

Time: 11am – 12.30pm

Location: Sunshine Coast University Hospital (Main Entry Way), 6 Doherty Street, Birtinya QLD 4575

Tickets and further information: Please RSVP by contacting the Cultural Practice Program team on 0414 491 641 or email sc-cultural-practice-program@health.qld.gov.au

Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital NAIDOC Celebration

Date: Friday, 12 July 2024

Time: 10am – 11.30am

Location: Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital (Giraba Pagoda), 17 Bean Street, Maleny QLD 4552

Tickets and further information: Please RSVP by contacting the Cultural Practice Program team on 0414 491 641 or email sc-cultural-practice-program@health.qld.gov.au

REFOCUS Celebrate NAIDOC

Join REFOCUS for Celebrate NAIDOC 2024! Bring the family for this free event featuring market stalls, traditional performances, free rides, music, face painting and much more.

Date: Sunday, 14 July 2024

Time: 10am – 2pm

Location: The Station, 8 The Avenue Birtinya QLD 4575

Tickets and further information: Check out the Celebrate NAIDOC webpage, or the Celebrate NAIDOC Facebook event, for further information.

GATHAA First Nations NAIDOC Family Market

Get ready to immerse yourself in the NAIDOC theme "Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud and Proud" as Forest Glen Village transforms into a vibrant showcase of First Nations excellence at GATHAA Markets.

Share in a day brimming with live cultural and contemporary performances, the flavours of bushfoods, hands-on workshops, market stalls and celebrations of art and culture.

Date: Sunday, 28 July 2024

Time: 9am – 2.30pm

Location: Forest Glen Village, 354 Mons Road Forest Glen QLD 4556

Tickets and further information: Everyone is welcome, and entry is free. Check out the GATHAA Markets Facebook page for further information. Workshop bookings must be made on the GATHAA webpage.

Creating connections together with Coolamon making

This workshop is for adults to create an individual Coolamon from air-dried clay.

Together in the group, under the guidance of Aunty Jude and Aunty Leighanne, participants will carve out their own designs and symbols that best represent them into their Coolamon. Inspiration will be drawn from the exhibition, their own heritage and cultural stories shared during the workshop.

Date: Friday, 2 August 2024

Time: 4.30pm – 7pm

Location: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551

Tickets and further information: Tickets essential – please purchase your ticket via humantix.

Handmade Coolamon Workshop – Nambour

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tradition of creating coolamon clay pots. Engage in inspiring conversations with Aunty Jude Hammond as you craft your art piece. Take home a one-of-a-kind coolamon, crafted by your own hands.

Date: Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Time: 11am – 1.30pm

Location: Nambour Library, Cnr Currie and Bury Streets, NAMBOUR QLD 4560

Tickets and further information: Tickets essential – please purchase your tickets via the Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Handmade Coolamon Workshop – Maroochydore

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tradition of creating coolamon clay pots. Engage in inspiring conversations with Aunty Jude Hammond as you craft your art piece. Take home a one-of-a-kind coolamon, crafted by your own hands.

Date: Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Time: 11am – 1.30pm

Location: Maroochydore Library, 44 Sixth Avenue, MAROOCHYDORE QLD 4558

Tickets and further information: Tickets essential – please purchase your tickets via the Sunshine Coast Libraries website.

Wan’diny NAIDOC Family Fun Day

Wan’diny NAIDOC will Keep the Fires Burning with a special NAIDOC event in October. Keep an eye on the Wan’diny NAIDOC Facebook for details.

Date: Saturday, 19 October 2024

Time: 9am – 3pm

Location: Black Swan Park Cotton Tree, The Esplanade, Maroochydore QLD 4558

Tickets and further information: Keep an eye on the Wan’diny NAIDOC Facebook event for details coming soon. If you would like to be involved, please email naidocsunshinecoast@gmail.com.

Online First Nations stories

Watch videos with local First Nations people talking about their personal experiences, art, and history.

Dates: Ongoing

Location: Online on Council’s Heritage site.

Online First Nations Place Names

Check out the online maps and research repot about local First Nations place names. View information on Council’s Heritage site, or at any Sunshine Coast Libraries branch.

Dates: Ongoing

Location: Online on Council’s Heritage site.

More information

Please visit the National NAIDOC website for further information.

Customer enquiries relating to the region’s Traditional Custodians, council’s Reconciliation Action Plan or other First Nations Projects supported by Council, can be emailed to the First Nations Partnerships team.

Biosecurity Act 2014: Protecting Queensland

Key terms explained