River Dreaming 2026 in Grafton: free First Nations day of culture on 30 October

River Dreaming, a free First Nations day of culture, takes place in Grafton’s Market Square on Friday 30 October 2026 from 10am to 2pm. Organisers describe it as the event that officially opens the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival, and it celebrates the Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr nations of the Clarence Valley.

Key details

• When: Friday 30 October 2026, 10am to 2pm
• Where: Market Square, Grafton, NSW
• Cost: free admission
• Sponsor: Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Centre
• Contact: info@jacarandafestival.com

What to expect

The programme brings together people from the three nations to share traditions, music and connection to the land and river. Festival organisers list traditional dance, music, storytelling, interactive workshops and market stalls, with a chance to learn about the Clarence Valley’s Aboriginal history, art and language. Local Aboriginal organisation Gurehlgam says its Grafton team will be supporting River Dreaming on the day.

Practical tips

• Market Square is the festival hub, with sealed, flat paths, accessible parking, public toilets and shade.
• Parking is easier around the showground, Grafton Shopping Centre and nearby streets, outside the main event zones.
• The Busways 380 links Yamba, Maclean and Ulmarra with Market Square. Services are limited and Opal cards are not accepted, so check the timetable first.
• Times can change, so check the official event page before you travel.

The wider Grafton Jacaranda Festival, which the NSW Government describes as Australia’s oldest floral festival, runs to 8 November. Some festival events are ticketed, so check each one separately.

New to Australia? Our guides to meeting people in Australia and outdoor activities in Australia have more ideas, and we also covered the Australian Native Food Festival in Sydney.

Illustrative photo, not River Dreaming: jacaranda trees in bloom on a Grafton street, November 2015. Photo: Sheba_Also, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped to 2:1.

Sources: Grafton Jacaranda Festival; Gurehlgam Corporation; NSW Government; My Clarence Valley.