Coffs Harbour | 26 January 2026
Theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
The Saltwater Freshwater Festival, the Mid North Coast’s premier Aboriginal cultural celebration, will return to the national calendar on Australia Day, 26 January 2026, with a major one-day event in Coffs Harbour—the heart of Gumbaynggirr Country.
“In 2026, we return to the roots of Saltwater Freshwater. This is a homecoming—not just to a date, but to a purpose,” said a Saltwater Freshwater Spokesperson. We’re reviving the Festival’s founding mission: to honour Aboriginal resilience, celebrate culture, and invite all Australians into a more inclusive and truthful national narrative.”
In 2026, the Saltwater Freshwater Festival marks a significant milestone as it returns to Australia Day—a considered and culturally grounded decision that reaffirms the Festival’s founding purpose. From its inception, Saltwater Freshwater has sought to centre Aboriginal culture on a day of national reflection, offering a space for truth-telling, healing, and cultural pride.
This year, the Festival reclaims 26 January as a time to honour the resilience, survival, and strength of First Nations peoples. It brings communities together to celebrate the richness of the world’s oldest living cultures and to foster meaningful dialogue—led by Aboriginal voices, open to all Australians.
Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Festival enters a new era of cultural leadership, regional unity, and national significance. The 2026 program will unfold over multiple days, with cultural workshops, performances, film screenings, and family-friendly activities across the Mid North Coast, culminating in a major celebration in Coffs Harbour.
Guiding this year’s program is the powerful 2025 NAIDOC Week theme:
“The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.”
By carrying this theme forward, the Festival celebrates the leadership and creativity of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, extending its impact beyond NAIDOC Week. Through art, storytelling, and community connection, this theme is brought to life in local, place-based expression across the region.
Get Involved: Callout for Artists, Performers, Stallholders and Volunteers
Saltwater Freshwater Festival 2026 invites First Nations artists, musicians, dancers, cultural practitioners, storytellers, food vendors, market stallholders and volunteers to be part of this celebration. This is a powerful opportunity to showcase culture, share your creativity, and connect with community at one of the region’s most significant cultural events.
- Artists & Performers – Express interest in performing, facilitating workshops, or exhibiting your work
- Musicians & Dancers – Join a dynamic line-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent
- Stallholders & Food Vendors – Be part of a vibrant marketplace that celebrates Aboriginal enterprise and community
- Volunteers – Play a vital role behind the scenes and on the day, helping create a welcoming, safe, and culturally rich experience for all
Expressions of Interest open soon!
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Media Contact: Janan Greenwood | General Manager | gm@saltwaterfreshwater.com.au
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