Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander events in Queensland
List
By Danielle Reckless
Feel the vibration of stomping feet and watch as dust explodes as dancers tell a history over 50,000 thousand years in the making.
In Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people have been passing down stories since before the reef was born.
And while artefacts in a museum tell part of the cultural legacy of events are the best way to immerse yourself in the colour, dress and sounds of the oldest continually surviving cultures on earth.
Experience a Welcome to Country that will leave a lasting impression on you with these Indigenous events in Queensland. Stretching from the Gold Coast to Cairns, Cape York and into the outback, each has a different story to tell.
Outback River Lights Festival
When: 11 - 13 April 2025
Come and experience the magic of the Outback River Lights Festival in Karumba. Through art, music, and storytelling, this festival shines a light on the deep connection between people, place, and water in southwest Queensland.
Want to get involved? Fire twirl under the Outback sky, craft your own lantern, and join the glowing procession to the Warrego River, where the festival ends in a light show.
Horizon Festival, Sunshine Coast
Horizon Festival, Sunshine Coast. Photo by @horizonartfest
When: 2 - 11 May 2025
Gather along the banks of Stumers Creek in Coolum as the sun rises at Dawn Awakening, a moving part of the annual Horizon Festival, where the natural beauty and rich culture of the Sunshine Coast is expressed through arts of all kinds. Experience story, dance, song, visual art projections, spoken word and fire installations that reflect and strengthen connection to country, culture and each other, on the land of the Kabi Kabi Peoples and Jinibara Peoples.
Keen for more culture? Sail back in time with Saltwater Eco Tours to forge a deeper connection to ancient culture and the sea.
Northern Peninsula Area Culture Festival, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
When: TBC July 2025
A lively three-day event held in the small Cape York town of Bamaga, the Northern Peninsula Area Culture Festival is a free celebration for all ages. Immerse yourself in the energy of cultural dance groups and emerging artists, explore food and local arts/craft stalls, plus traditional carving workshops, art exhibitions, history walks and local tours to learn about the historical significance of the area.
A carved fire torch is lit to signify peace, unity and the flame of culture, and makes its way through the local communities before the big events in Bamaga over the two-day event.
Keen for more culture? Witness thousand-year-old rock art in the local area on a tour with Culture Connect.
Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair (CIAF), Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), Cairns
When: 11 - 13 July 2025
From the reef to the ranges and the rainforest, it’s the colours of Queensland that shine through the art of the Bama people.
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is one of Australia’s finest art fairs, celebrating the reimagining of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures through art in all forms – fashion, performance art, weaves, painting and more.
Australian and international institutions use the fair for curating their collections and significant commissions have materialised from the CIAF, allowing artists to share their culture with the world.
Keen for more culture? Check out these Aboriginal art galleries in Cairns. If your taste buds are feeling a little left out after the sensual feast of CIAF, book a dinner and show experience at Flames of the Forest in Port Douglas – or a table at Ochre Restaurant in Cairns for gourmet meals with a bush-foods twist.
First Light – BLEACH* Festival, Gold Coast
BLEACH* Festival, Gold Coast
When: 30 July - 10 August
Marking the opening of the annual BLEACH* Festival on the Gold Coast (1 - 11 August 2024), First Light will feature a mesmerising mix of dance, fire and song. Take a spot on the shore at dawn to be transported by local Aboriginal dancers and choir along with Traditional Owners, while a traditional smoking ceremony drifts against the sunrise to celebrate the start of this festival of contemporary arts.
Keen for more culture? Check out this Indigenous local's guide to the southern Gold Coast.
2025 Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships, Outback Queensland
Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships. Photo by Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
When: 10 August 2025
Delve into a fascinating side of Indigenous culture, as over 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rodeo athletes compete in an award-winning standalone rodeo event to showcase skills passed down through generations. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with the Kalkadoon people, their stories and culture as well as the visiting Indigenous communities from across Queensland and Australia. Beyond the action in the main ring, there’ll be song, dance, art and storytelling. Stick around to experience the rest of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, which runs from 8 - 11 August 2024.
RootBound Festival, Townsville
When: TBC August 2025
Mungalla Station sets the stage for a four-day celebration of music, arts and Landcare at RootBound. Hosted among the beauty of Nywaigi Country’s coastal wetlands, east of Ingham, the emphasis on connection to pure nature is as important as the music – and it’s a vibrant celebration of creativity. Stay tuned for 2024 lineup announcements.
Keen for more culture? Road trip from Townsville to Cairns, exploring reef, beach and rainforest.
Quandamooka Festival
When: TBC August 2025
Set on the beautiful island of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), the event celebrates the rich traditions of the Quandamooka People. Expect traditional dance, music, art, bush tucker, and cultural workshops led by Traditional Owners.
Learn ancient stories, witness powerful performances, and connect with Country in a truly unforgettable way.
Outback by the Sea
When: 12 - 15 September 2025
Each September, Karumba comes alive for a week-long celebration of barra, beats, and bush culture. Think fresh seafood feasts, live music, Aboriginal and Torres Strait storytelling, film, arts, and hands-on workshops — all set against the backdrop of Queensland’s Gulf Country.
It all starts with one of Australia’s top short film festivals, followed by a packed program of events that bring you closer to nature, adventure, and local flavours. Cap it all off with a big night under the stars at the closing concert, featuring a lineup of Aussie music legends.
Big Talk One Fire Cultural Festival, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
2024 Big Talk One Fire Festival
When: 12 - 15 September 2025
Round up your family and friends and head to this free, family-friendly event in Fogarty Park that promises a colourful and cultural immersion with a laid-back vibe. Celebrating the best Indigenous culture, creativity and talent in the tropical north, the program of entertainment spans local Indigenous bands, traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance, and pop-up Indigenous market stalls.
UMI Arts' annual signature event, Big Talk One Fire offers activities for kids, weaving, fashion, tastings, and knowledge sharing of native foods, plants and medicine, crafts, and information stalls for a day of cultural recognition and celebration.
Keen for more culture? Immerse yourself in the traditions of two of the world's oldest living cultures with these Indigenous tours in Cairns.
Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival
When: 16 - 19 September 2025
Held on Thursday Island, the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival is a four-day explosion of Torres Strait Islander culture. Expect vibrant dance, rhythmic drumming, and powerful storytelling that bring the region’s rich seafaring history to life.
Mapoon Barra Bash, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
When: 27 - 28 September 2025
The Mapoon Barra Bash is an annual fishing competition hosted by the Mapoon Aboriginal Community in the pristine waters of western Cape York.
The two day competition is held in the spring school holidays, making it a fantastic opportunity for an adventure with the kids. Visitors will have the chance to experience a little known part of Cape York, and encounter the hospitality of Aboriginal traditional owners. Fishing a-plenty awaits over the weekend, so bring your best lure to hook a winning barramundi.
Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival, Yarrabah
When: TBC
Celebrating the diversity of Australian music talent, the Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival showcases Indigenous musicians, visual arts and cultural flavours.
Feel the festival come alive through song, dance and art. Having grown over the years, the idyllic coastal music festival features an array of cultural and contemporary music from some of Australia’s notable artists. The stars also share the stage with emerging and local community artists who display a rich cultural history throughout their performances.
Food stalls, local art and children’s activities are also available at this free event.
1770 Cultural Connections Festival, Gladstone
When: 4 - 5 October 2025
The 1770 Cultural Connections Festival showcases the Aboriginal history prior to 1770; and the survival of the Byellee, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda peoples and cultures through to the present day.
This two-day cultural experience is held in October each year and includes various activities to maintain and strengthen language, culture, and economic development projects. Cultural workshops will be delivered by traditional artists which includes guest speakers and storytelling; music and cultural performances.
Keen for more culture? Explore Boyne Valley, Gladstone’s scenic sister where natural beauty meets rich culture.
Shine On Gimuy, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Shine On Gimuy, Cairns. Photo by @mitchlowephoto
When: 7 - 26 October 2025
An immersive First Nations arts and cultural festival, Shine On Gimuy is hosted by the Yidinji Nation on the beautiful waterfront Cairns Esplanade – a spectacular way for visitors to experience authentic interaction with Indigenous culture.
The multi-artform event illuminates the streets with light shows, soundscapes, art installations, rich storytelling, programmed talks and music performances that capture 60,000 years of history, science, tradition and stories untold.
Milbi Festival, Bundaberg
Milbi Festival, Bundaberg. Photo by @bundabergcouncilE
When: TBC 2025
The Bundaberg region comes alive for an immersive 10-day celebration of culture, environment and local art. From cultural dining experiences to free family fun, weaving workshops and opportunities to meet Indigenous artists and Elders, Milbi Festival offers unique and meaningful experiences for the whole family. The 2024 program of events will be launched in the coming months.
Keen for more culture? Continue the cultural family experiences around Bundaberg with these 20 fun-filled things to do with the kids.
For more culture and arts events across Queensland, head here.
