CW has compiled a list of community events in Canberra this Australia Day, 26 January 2022, plus events in the lead up and aftermath. Whether movies, music, fireworks, fire ceremonies, protesting, or barbecues is your bag, there’s plenty on across Canberra.
Nainmurra Nguurruu Australia Day in the Capital
This Australia Day, Canberrans are encouraged to come together to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate the Australian experience, from its origins millennia ago to today.
Nerang Pool, Commonwealth Park will host a meaningful First Nations event on the evening of 25 January. Then, from 10.30am on 26 January, there will be a host of engaging displays of cultural diversity across multiple stages and food tents located at Commonwealth Park.
Events ACT warn that this celebration may be cancelled due to COVID-19, and encourage the public to follow their Facebook, and Twitter for any updates.
When: Evening of 25 January, then 26 January from 10.30am.
Where: Nerang Pool, Commonwealth Park.
Cost: Free.
National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony
The National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony is held on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. This year’s ceremony will welcome 25 of Australia’s newest citizens.
A gun salute will take place at 10.09am after the Citizenship Ceremony and Flag Raising at Rond Terrace.
When: 26 January from 9am.
Where: Rond Terrace, Parkes.
Cost: Free.
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia will host three separate events over 25-26 January, presenting an opportunity to come together as a community on Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri Country to reflect on what it means to live in this country, share our cultures and celebrate our achievements.
The Australia Day theme of ‘reflect, respect, celebrate’ brings elders, artists and speakers together to mark the day and show the way for the nation.
Fire ceremony concert
Join us for a family-friendly evening of music and ceremony, lakeside on the lawn at the NMA’s Amphitheatre, as we prepare a campfire in a special sand circle. This campfire will be a sister fire to the one at Reconciliation Place.
When: 25 January 5-9pm.
Where: National Museum Amphitheatre, Acton.
Cost: Free, registrations essential here.
Family day
Come along for the Museum’s smoking ceremony, followed by weaving demonstrations, talks, fun activities and more. Explore our exhibitions and share a memorable day at the Museum.
When: 26 January 10am-2pm.
Where: National Museum of Australia, Acton.
Cost: Free, though costs apply for some activities. Registrations essential here.
Nainmurra Nguurruu concert
Headline act Busby Marou will be supported by the talented Miiesha and dance troupe Muggera as they perform lakeside at the Museum. Join us as the sun goes down and we conclude the activities around Australia Day in the national capital with this relaxed, family-friendly concert. Costs apply, tickets essential.
When: 26 January 6–10pm.
Where: National Museum of Australia, Acton.
Cost: Buy tickets for the Nainmurra Nguurruu concert here.
Australia Day Carillon Projections
As part of Canberra’s Australia Day 2021 celebrations, the National Carillon will be feature projections of Australian of the Year recipients to acknowledge and reflect on the accomplishments of our people.
The gorgeous projections will be visible from several vantage points along Lake Burley Griffin.
The National Carillion, and other national landmarks, will be lit up in warm tones to emulate and embrace the colours of the campfire.
When: 21-27 January.
Where: National Carillion, Parkes.
Cost: Free.
Australia Day in Queanbeyan
There will be an Australia Day Awards ceremony, citizenship ceremony, live music and fireworks at Queanbeyan Park on Wednesday 26 January.
The awards and citizenship ceremony will take place from 5pm, with live music from Smooth Opps at 6.30-8pm and fireworks from 8pm.
Australia Day ceremonies will also be taking place in Braidwood (12 noon), Bungendore (10.30am), and Captains Flat (10am).
When: 26 January 5-9pm.
Where: Queanbeyan Park.
Cost: Free.
Activation of National Archives Australia Day
The National Archives will create a space where audiences can reflect on what it means to be Australian by viewing archival photographs, sharing their experiences, and creating new photographs to celebrate their thoughts on being Australian.
When: 24 January from 9.30am
Where: National Archives of Australia, Parkes.
Cost: Free; contact the National Archives of Australia for more.
Aboriginal Tent Embassy 50th Anniversary
Founded on 26 January 1972, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
To mark the occasion, The Aboriginal Tent Embassy will hold a three-day event from 25-27 January to honour and mourn the past, celebrate survival and strategise for the next 50 years.
They expect over 500 registered delegates to attend from across Australia for the three-day event.
An Invasion Day march toward Parliament House will start from the Embassy at 10am on 26 January, with an additional 3-7,000 attendees expected.
When: 25-27 January.
Where: Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Parkes.
Cost: free; register here.
Australia Day Eve BBQ Celebrations
Celebrate Australia Day with a barbecue feast with oysters, prawns, sausages, and chops on the grill; veg options like corn on the cob, coleslaw and country style potato salad; and classic Aussie desserts like lamington and pavlova.
When: 25 January 5.30-10pm.
Where: National Press Club, Barton.
Cost: $40 for members, $55 for non-members, click here to book.
Oz Day Aqua Fest
Lake Burley Griffin will host a festival of aquatic sports and fun on Australia Day that will also double as a fundraiser for Triathlon ACT member Kate Molineaux, who is recovering from serious injury.
Triathlon ACT, Water Polo ACT and Canberra Aqua Park, in conjunction with SportsCare Canberra, will present the SportsCare Oz Day Aqua Fest at Lake Burley Griffin on the Australia Day public holiday from 2pm.
An action-packed afternoon with aquathlons, water polo and aqua park fun will be complemented by food and beverage stalls, music, face painting and more.
When: 26 January from 2pm.
Where: Canberra Aqua Park, Black Mountain Peninsula.
Cost: Free; costs may apply for some activities. Register here.
A BBQ For Good on Australia Day
Spend your public holiday at Contentious Character with an outdoor bar, BBQ and picnic set up with live DJ sets.
The BBQ will be serving up chicken pitas, beef skewers, Contentious beef burgers, Australia Day Kransky dogs, spicy BBQ king prawns, and veggie burgers.
$15 of the cover charge goes toward the local Wamboin Rural Fire Brigade.
When: 26 January 11am-3.30pm.
Where: Contentious Character Vineyard, Wamboin NSW.
Cost: $30 cover charge, food and drinks extra. Book here.
Australia Day Music and Market
This Australia Day, the Harmonie German Club is hosting a free outdoor community event complete with a live music festival and market replete with food and fun!
When: 26 January, 11am-4pm
Where: Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah.
Cost: Free; all welcome!
Gungahlin Australia Day Celebration 2022
Respect, Reflect and acknowledge Australian Achievements and share the story of Muslim contributions in Australia and celebrate the day with family, Young Australian, Islamic scholars and others.
When: 26 January from 9pm.
Where: Gungahlin Mosque, Gungahlin.
Cost: Free; contact Canberra Muslim Community for more.
We Are One – Australia Day Concert
An Australian Day concert hosted by The Federation of Chinese Community of Canberra that will include singing, dancing, martial arts, and Aboriginal performance.
When: 26 January from 10am.
Where: Nara Peace Park, Yarralumla.
Cost: Free; contact The Federation of Chinese Community of Canberra for more.
MARSS Australia Day Family Celebration
MARSS Australia Inc. (Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services) will host an Australia Day picnic on 26 January to reflect, respect and celebrate a multicultural and diverse Australia.
The picnic will feature a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by a Ngunnawal elder, plus Indigenous performers, multicultural performers, traditional Australian catering, a spread of multicultural food, picnic-style games, and a live DJ.
When: 26 January from 11am.
Where: Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla.
Cost: Free; contact MARSS Australia for more.
Community Services #1 Australia Day Barbecue
A day to reflect, show respect and to celebrate Australia Day and the community that binds.
When: 26 January from 11am.
Where: Community Services #1, Narrabundah.
Cost: Free; contact Community Services #1 for more.
Bangladeshi Seniors Club Australia Day Barbecue
This year, the Bangladeshi Seniors Club Canberra want to celebrate Australia Day with the broader Bangladeshi community living in Canberra and surrounding area.
To do so, they will host a day-long festival showcasing Bangladeshi culture with food stalls, a community BBQ and live entertainment.
When: 26 January, from 11am.
Where: Canberra Islamic Centre Mosque, Monash.
Cost: Free; contact Bangladeshi Seniors Club Canberra for more.
PAFA Community Australia Day 2022 Celebration
Pakistan Australia Friendship Association (PAFA) is celebrating Australia Day with a buffet lunch and a host of activities, with families and children encouraged to get along! Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 200 participants will be allowed so seat confirmation will be required beforehand.
When: 26 January from 12.30pm.
Where: National Museum of Australia, Acton.
Cost: Free with registrations essential; contact Ali Khurram via email for more.
Incarceration Nation screening @ the NFSA
A story of strength and resistance in the face of racism and oppression, Incarceration Nation lays bare the continued systemic injustice and oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on their own land, as told by Indigenous Australians.
A panel discussion after the screening will also take place, with guest speakers to be announced.
When: 27 January 6pm.
Where: Arc Cinema, NFSA, Acton.
Cost: Free; register here.
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