Melbourne’s heart will beat to the rhythm of First Nations culture this July, as NAIDOC in the City returns to Fed Square with a vibrant celebration of music, storytelling, art and community.
Held on Friday 11 July from 1pm to 6pm, this free, family-friendly event is the centrepiece of the City of Melbourne’s NAIDOC Week 2025 celebrations – marking 50 years of honouring Indigenous voices, resilience and culture.
This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, sets the tone for an uplifting afternoon of performances by some of Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous artists.
ARIA-winning duo Electric Fields headline the main stage, bringing their powerful blend of electronic music and traditional Yankunytjatjara language to the crowd. They’re joined by Eurovision favourite Isaiah Firebrace, rock storyteller Scott Darlow, and rising stars including Canisha, The Violet Summers, Cerulean, and Koori Youth Will Shake Spears.
Surrounding the stage, the Koorie Heritage Trust’s NAIDOC Market will showcase over 20 First Peoples stallholders offering art, jewellery, fashion and handmade goods—each piece telling stories of Country and culture.
Across the week, NAIDOC programming continues throughout Melbourne’s libraries, from reading parties and cultural workshops to art exhibitions and panel discussions. Highlights include Generations of Story with Evelyn Araluen, native botanical painting with Palawa artist Josh Deane, and the powerful documentary In My Blood It Runs.
With storytelling, creativity, learning and celebration at its heart, NAIDOC in the City invites all Melburnians to come together and honour the strength, vision and legacy of First Nations communities, past, present and future.
