Next: about 1 to 4 Aug 2027
Garma Festival
A gathering of the Yolngu people in north-east Arnhem Land, with bunggul dance, song, forums on policy and bush skills.
When is Garma Festival in 2027?
Garma Festival 2027 runs from 1 to 4 August 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, 1 to 4 August 2026; 2028, 1 to 4 August 2028.
About Garma Festival
Garma is one of the largest Indigenous cultural events in Australia. It is held in early August at Gulkula in north-east Arnhem Land, the homeland of the Yolngu people, and run by the Yothu Yindi Foundation. Visitors are welcomed with a ceremony and spend four days learning from Yolngu elders about the Yolngu law, called Rom, and culture. Each day includes bunggul, the ceremonial song and dance, with clapsticks and the yidaki, the didgeridoo, and demonstrations of bush skills, weaving, art, and bush food. Garma also hosts a Key Forum, a discussion on Indigenous policy and the future, which attracts politicians and community leaders. Entry is limited and participants are expected to respect the land and custom. The dates differ each year.
Garma Festival dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Garma Festival date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 to 4 August 2026 |
| 2027 | 1 to 4 August 2027 |
| 2028 | 1 to 4 August 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
What is eaten
- bush tucker
- fish
- damper
Also part of it, and being written: Yolngu (The people who host.), Yidaki (The didgeridoo of Arnhem Land.), Arnhem Land (The region.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Garma Festival" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.