Coastal Cultures Festival: Indian × First Nations
Event dates to be confirmed: October – October 2026
Overview
The Indian × First Nations Coastal Culture Festival is a two‑day celebration of culture, food, storytelling, wellness, and creativity set along the iconic Newcastle Foreshore. The festival brings together Awabakal and Worimi cultural leaders with the vibrancy of Indian traditions to create a unique coastal experience that honors Country while celebrating multicultural expression.
Day 1 features a First Nations Welcome to Country and Smoking…
The Indian × First Nations Coastal Culture Festival is a two‑day celebration of culture, food, storytelling, wellness, and creativity set along the iconic Newcastle Foreshore. The festival brings together Awabakal and Worimi cultural leaders with the vibrancy of Indian traditions to create a unique coastal experience that honors Country while celebrating multicultural expression.
Day 1 features a First Nations Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony alongside an Indian lamp‑lighting ritual, followed by coastal storytelling, a Fusion Food Village with signature dishes from Indian and First Nations chefs, collaborative dance performances, and a filmed DJ NYK "Destination Newcastle" set that showcases the city to global audiences.
Day 2 opens with a Sunrise on Country yoga session overlooking the harbour, followed by a Fusion Brunch Village featuring leading Newcastle eateries. The Coastline Collective Market highlights local artisans, including Creative Village makers and a special Purnima Sari × First Nations design collaboration. The festival concludes with a coastal closing ceremony and community gathering.
Across both days, the event showcases Newcastle's natural beauty, cultural depth, and creative talent while supporting local businesses, artists, and tourism operators. Designed as a premium, family‑friendly experience, the festival invites visitors to connect with culture, explore the foreshore, and enjoy the best of Newcastle's coastal lifestyle.
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Location
FAQs
Accessibility
A quiet space is available at the venue/ facility
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
Have a wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room
Have an accessible public toilet which is unlocked
Have at least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high)
Have step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
Offer a range of contact methods for receiving complaints
Train your staff in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges
Train your staff in disability awareness
Use Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)