Yabun 2026 – Music to a Beat is Back!

Yabun Festival will return to Victoria Park on Gadigal Land on Monday 26 January 2026, celebrating the ongoing survival, strength, and excellence of First Nations Peoples.

One of the most significant cultural gatherings on the national calendar, Yabun is the largest and most powerful community-led celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Australia.

The festival showcases the depth, diversity and vibrancy of First Nations Culture through a full day of traditional and contemporary music, dance, panel discussions, workshops, markets and community activations.

Yolngu artist Baker Boy will be headlining the main Yabun stage, joined by soul and blues powerhouse Emma Donovan, ARIA Award-winning artist Budjerah, Gomeroi rapper Kobie Dee, family band Drifting Clouds from Gapuwiyak, Barkindji, singer-songwriter Nancy Bates, the legendary Stiff Gins, Tasman Keith and Wire MC presenting GrillaGrilla, Binda Warren and more.

The Speak Out Tent, Corroborree Ground, Jarjums and Elder Spaces are all returning, along with new initiatives like cooking demonstrations, fashion parades and a showcase of Boomalli Art Gallery.

Paula Maling, General Manager of Gadigal Information Service, a First Nations owned and operated community media and arts social enterprise and founder of Yabun Festival joined 2SER Breakfast to chat about what is set to be one of the biggest and best festivals ever.

Image: The official artwork for Yabun 2026, an oil painting by proud Wiradjuri and Biripi man James P. Simon