All of us are caretakers of the Earth and, as Traditional Custodians walking the Lore of this land, it is our responsibility to conduct the ceremonies, tell the stories, sing the songs and dance with our Ancestors to the heartbeat of our Mother Country. We gather on the Shared Country of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung Peoples who have been coming together in large gatherings for thousands of years and continuing to this day. Walk with us...

Opening Blessing – Chill Stage

We, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung Peoples, welcome your arrival to our Ancestral Country at the Chill Stage with a smoking ceremony, song and dance. We offer insights and blessings for the festiva,,then invite you to walk with us to the Kalngga (Market Stage) for our Across Oceans indigenous Ceremony.

FRIDAY 13:30 - 14:00 Opening Blessing – Market Stage

FRIDAY 14:00 - 14:15 Ceremony Procession – Chill Stage to Market Stage

Across Oceans Indigenous Ceremony. – Market Stage

This year, we welcome from across oceans: First Nations Elder from British Columbia, Grandmother Malihatkwa, who helps us to open the Market Stage with humble insights and an entertaining expression of her inner Grizzly bear. Following, we welcome 20 Kia Orana Cook Island dancers and drummers who share their history and culture through their songs, eccentric costumes, hula dancing, traditional chants of their warriors and unprecedented rhythmic drum beats!

FRIDAY 14:15 - 15:00 Across Oceans Indigenous Ceremony –  Market Stage

Opening Ceremony & Official Womin-Djika (Welcome) – Main Stage

Traditional Custodians officially Womin-djika (Welcome) you to this Country at the Ngulambarra Ngarramilli (Main Stage) Opening Ceremony. We celebrate the coming together of many tribes from across Australia and the Rainbow Serpent Dreaming as we share our unique cultures together in song, story and dance. Check out the Karrung Larr Program to find out how you and your kids can get involved in the ceremony and share the experience

SATURDAY 19:30 - 20:00 Karrung Larr First Nations & Kids Space Procession – Karrung Larr/Kids Space to Main Stage.

SATURDAY 20:00 - 21:00 Opening Ceremony & Official Womin-Djika (Welcome) – Market Stage

Closing Ceremony – Chill Stage

In closing, we come back together at the Chill Stage to reflect on what we have learned and what we have shared at this gathering. We talk, we dance and we give back to the land. Our journey together as a Rainbow Family continues in separate ways from here, but with positive growth and the shedding of another skin.

MONDAY 20:00 - 20:30 Closing Ceremony – Chill Stage