Best Cultural Festival in NSW | Guringai Festival

Guringai Festival Going Strong For Over Two Decades

Since the festival started it is celebrated every year without fail for about two months. It starts the next of Sorry Day which is on 26th May and continues until the last day of National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week. There are several reasons why the festival is going strong and the love of people for it never fades.

Guringai Festival is significant for honouring the traditions, culture and history of indigenous people.
It helps raise awareness and attention for the First Nation People’s causes, programs and plans

The Guringai Festival is an important festival that emphasises our shared responsibility to look after the land, water and environment. The festival promotes sustainable living and profound respect for nature through a range of programmes of educational activities and community engagement. The celebration, founded on the cultural knowledge and ancestral wisdom of the Guringai people, challenges all participants to reconnect with their country and take conscious action to preserve it. By raising awareness and encouraging shared responsibility, the event creates a vision of peace among people and nature – for today and tomorrow.

Festival Facts

21 Years Old
11+ Communities
24+Years of Sorry Day
10+ Locations
Thousands of Attendees Every Year

Healing The Country, Healing The Nation

National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

Every year from 27th May to 3rd June National Reconciliation Week is celebrated to celebrate the history and culture of First Nation people. Plus, people perform many discussions and activities during week for reconciliation plans. It is annually hosted by the Reconciliation Australia a non-profit organisation.

NAIDOC Week

The first complete week of July is celebrated as National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week. In 1975, the week was celebrated for the first time and it has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning. The end of the week also marks the end of the Guringai Festival.

Dates

Every year the festival starts on 27th May on the first day of NRW, and ends around the second week of July which is also the last day of NAIDOC Week.

Event Timings

Timings of each event differ and the locations are different as well. To know the schedule, you can get details from the event organisers and visit accordingly.

Guringai Festival Is A Beautiful Celebration

Over the decades, the festival has become due to its vibrancy, participation of various communities and high entertainment.

Wonderful Carnival

Every year, the festival has a new theme and the events are inspired by it. For example, the theme in 2021 was Renewal. Similarly it was Because Of Her, We Can! In 2018, Live Life Loudly in 2013 etc.

During festival, residents of Northern Sydney and other regions belonging to different organisations host several workshops, exhibitions, challenges, competitions, and other events. You can enjoy the festival with friends and family members because every event is suitable for people of all ages.

It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant Indigenous culture, gaining insights into ancient traditions and wisdom. By joining hands in this celebration, attendees become advocates for environmental stewardship, leaving a positive impact on the region's heritage and ecosystems.

Want to host an event at the Guringai Festival? Have questions and queries?

Events Are Feelings

During the eight weeks duration of the festival an array of activities take place. These include walks, art exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, competitions, challenges and much more. The activities are for fun and enjoyment but most importantly they are for increasing integration, discussing reconciliation plans of actions, facilitating change and much more.

The things you experience, the knowledge you gain, and the feelings of every organiser or attendee makes the events what important and meaningful. For the indigenous people of Northern Sydney, NSW the festival is not just about the activities but the process and the way it helps raise awareness about their culture, heritage and traditions.

Why Attend?

Development

Attending Aboriginal events like this helps to support First Nations communities and promotes better awareness, inclusivity and cultural understanding. Your participation helps to highlight Indigenous voices, acknowledge their rich legacy and create chances for fairer and more equitable future.

Connection

The festival is not only for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is also for other Australian communities who want to connect.

Sharing

Sharing of among cultures is how humans develop empathy, awareness and sensitivity towards one another. Therefore, the festival is crucial for sharing.

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The Main Goals Of The Festival Are To Help & Celebrate!

Guringai Festivals is among the most celebrated eight weeks of the year for Native Australians living in the Northern Sydney and other regions.
The Festival is a way to help the voices of indigenous people to be heard and bring positive changes that will help the communities grow and face challenges better.
Over the years the recognition and awareness generated through the Festival has helped numerous indigenous people struggling. It’s everyone’s responsibility to help them settle and live a quality life.

Volunteer

Want to be a part of the Guringai Festival? You can conduct workshops, discussions, exhibitions, and several other activities for the raising awareness and be an advocate for growth and development for the indigenous people.

However, during the festival there is always requirement of people for administrative purposes as well. Thus, if you feel the need to volunteer for helping out the people who are hosting activities, you can register and sign up. To know more, please get in touch with us now!

Events

It has been over two decades since the Guringai Festival and it has become an important instrumental for raising the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Every year, people across Sydney and New South Wales conduct various long and short events. These events are excellent for integration, development, communication and enjoyment. Here are some events that happened or will happen at the Guringai Festival to help you better understand what to expect.

Meet Our Team

docter writing a prescription to a patient

Jonathan Van

Head of Events

Jon has over 15 years of experience of hosting major events like the Guringai Festival. He is the one who creates the plans and supervises every aspect of the festival.

Jonathan Van

Head of Events

Jon has over 15 years of experience of hosting major events like the Guringai Festival. He is the one who creates the plans and supervises every aspect of the festival.