Things to do in Sydney on January 26 2026

Start the day by taking a moment to reflect on the marked history of Gadigal land, by honouring our First Nations people at this visually stunning and poignant event. Spectacular First Nations artowrk will light up the sails of the Opera House, and both the Australian and Aboriginal flags will be raised on the arc of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a symbol of unity.

Led by First Nations people, this poignant smoking ceremony will take place from 7.30am on January 26 at Barangaroo Reserve, with the intention of cleansing the way for new beginnings and paying respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation through music, dance, language, storytelling and ceremony. Alongside performances and addresses given by dignitaries, the ceremony will involve the singing of the Australian National Anthem in both English and Eora, the local Aboriginal language. The word WugulOra translates to mean "one mob", and this event is one of unity and reconciliation.

Set against the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Australia Day Live will bring free musical performances, storytelling and a spectacular fireworks display to the city to end the day. Headliners include Cody Simpson and William Barton, and tickets are free. If you miss out on tix, you can take it all in from Circular Quay or tune in live via ABC TV and ABC iView (performances start at 7.30pm).

Back for its tenth year, this annual harbour swim will see swimmers of all abilities take to the water for a worthy cause. Choose between a one kilometre, two and a half kilometre or five kilometre course that will take you from Rose Bay across Sydney's stunning harbour. 

While the new iteration of the Powerhouse Museum is under construction, the organisation has partnered with the University of Sydney to hand the mic to First Nations community on January 26 for an empowering event brought to life by We Are Warriors. Blak Powerhouse is an evening of live music, dance, performance, art, food, discussion and more for all: mob, allies and advocates. The line-up features performances from celebrated First Nations artisits including BARKAA and 3%. Tickets are free, but you'll need to RSVP here.

If you want to take the day off work to get out of town and clear your head with a good dose of nature, the swimming spots around Sydney are just the ticket. Before you go, it's worth researching the traditional custodians of the land and taking note of any cultural significance the particular swimming spot you're visiting may hold to First Nations communities.

Sydney's annual Invasion Day or Day of Mourning rally will take place again in 2025, as January 26 marks 238 years since British military forces invaded Gadigal land and declared British rule over this continent. First Nations people and allies are invited to participate in an act of resistance against continuing systemic racism, First Nations deaths in custody and the colonial project. 

Plenty of restaurants will still be open on the public holiday – meaning a good lunch isn't out of the question. And although this city ain’t cheap, it's also overflowing with restaurants serving up stellar stuff at prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Click here to find out about the eateries we reckon are well worth their salt for your public holiday feed.

This long-running Survival Day gathering in Victoria Park near Broadway provides a space for people to share in the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every year. Meaning 'music to a beat' in Gadigal language, this largest gathering of First Nations cultures in Australia is coming back for its 25th year in 2026. Typically, the Invasion Day rally marches straight here.

If you're keen to spend the long weekend away from the city, we don't blame you. In NSW, you don’t need to travel far to make a couple of nights away feel like a proper holiday. Whether you’re in the mood for a beach break, a hike in the mountains or an escape to wine country, we’ve roudned up a good selection of weekender options within striking distance of the city.

There are countless spots across Sydney/ Eora where you can take the plunge – from historic ocean pools to gorgeous harbour beaches. If you want to reset, take the day to immerse yourself in a body of water and reflect on the beauty of Gadigal land. 

Whether you're visiting from overseas or a curious local looking to get beyond the basics (Dot paintings? Bark paintings? Just the tip of the iceberg), we've rounded up the best places to see the best of Australia's diverse Indigenous art practice.

From easy breezy coastal strolls to half-day bush walks and multi-day expeditions, this city is blessed with routes that suit hikers of all abilities. 

Want some inspiration and/or education? Head out on a journey of discovery at one of the city's many museums. You'll learn about fascinating natural histories, scientific endeavours, design innovations and the stories that have made this city (and beyond) everything it is today. There's also plenty to learn about the history of First Nations people and the land we call home.

Just two hours west of Sydney's urban heart, this vast pocket of wilderness is crisscrossed with walking trails that take in some of the most spectacular corners of the region. From forested canyons to towering rocks and majestic waterfalls, you’ll find them all on this guide to the top bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. 

The area is located within the Country of six first nations: the Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri. Take some time while you're there to learn about and reflect on the history of the traditional custodians.

To help you pick from Sydney's wealth of sandy stretches to spend your time away from the office, we’ve cast our discerning eyes across almost every beach in the city, awarding points for accessibility, natural beauty, range of facilities and unique charms. We’ve tallied the results and tabulated the scores – this is our definitive guide to the best beaches in Sydney.

If you want to really switch off and take time to connect to a different reality on this public holiday, Sydney's open-air cinemas should help. From blockbusters to tearjerkers, rom-coms to thrillers, you can catch an exceptional range of alfresco flicks across the city. We've rounded up our faves – including Centennial Park's magical Moonlight Cinema.

City of Canterbury Bankstown is throwing an “Aussie Party” in the Park at Playford Park, Padstow – a free, family-friendly celebration featuring live music, kids’ shows, food trucks, rides and a fireworks finale. If you’re not keen to party, the local council is offering $2 access to local aquatic centres on the day.

It’s important that every Australian is reading, learning, doing research, speaking up and donating to causes that work to minimise everyday injustices and make serious moves to change institutionalised racism. We’ve gathered together a list of some of the charities and organisations supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and PoC voices around Australia and the world. If you aren’t in a position to help financially, there are other ways you can show your support.