NAIDOC in the City returns to Hyde Park: What you need to know

Now in its 12th year, NAIDOC in the City will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 8 July and is an opportunity for families to come together on Gadigal land and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“We are proud to live in a country that is home to the world’s oldest continuing living culture,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

“We value the importance of First Nations peoples and their culture, and NAIDOC in the City is an opportunity for everyone to experience some of that rich and vibrant culture through dance, art and food.”

Here’s what you need to know.

There’s a full program of family-friendly activities

We’re working with leading Aboriginal arts and media organisation, Gadigal Information Service, on the 2023 program.

The event will feature performances by Cindy Drummond, Renegades of Munk, Chill Cheney and emerging artist Amelia Brown.

It also includes:

Bayumi Hub

A celebratory program of talented First Nations artists from many nations including prolific storytellers to contemporary music artists.

Dangura Ring

The heart of NAIDOC in the City celebrations, this cultural dance space is where visitors can come to experience, heal and unearth connection to Country. The Dangura Ring will open the festival with a Welcome to Country ceremony.

The Gunyahs

A space for children and their families, with toys, games and activities to keep the young (and young at heart) entertained.

Bilarra Games

Another family-friendly space offering visitors of all ages the chance to try their hand at traditional games and activities from various First Nations communities and peoples.

Fig Tree Markets

Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses will be offering a range of authentic art, craft, produce and contemporary delicacies.

The event is part of a proud history of celebration

NAIDOC in the City is part of NAIDOC Week which runs from 2 to 9 July.

NAIDOC has its origins in Aboriginal protest and activism. It can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The 2023 theme, ‘For our elders’, pays homage to Elders who have played, and continue to play, an important role for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and families.

Learn more about Aboriginal culture and history at the Sydney Barani website.

Keep an eye out for a striking new artwork

As part of our support, we’ll install around 500 street banners across the city featuring a new artwork by Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr artist, Kim Healy.

Jagun, the new visual identity for the NAIDOC Week celebrations in the city, is a multi-dimensional artwork that pays respect to Country while celebrating culture.

Combining traditional and contemporary styles, Healey created Jagun using paint and graphic design to capture elements of the changing landscape within Country.
The celebratory colour palette enhances the storytelling of the artwork, with the elements of landscape, water, animals and culture at the forefront of the design. The artwork aims to evoke a sense of place that welcomes you to enjoy and explore the diversity of Country and cultures.

See more events at NAIDOC Week.

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