Bring your family, friends and a picnic blanket to the National Museum this Australia Day and celebrate our vibrant culture and stories through live music, activities, food and more.
- Monday 26 January 2026
10.30am to 3pm
- Free lakeside concert and activities
Costs apply for our new Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition
- Food and drinks
Pack your own or buy a BBQ snag, pizza, Indian or Korean street food
- Getting here
It's a jam-packed day so consider cycling, riding an e-scooter or parking nearby and walking
Learn from local Traditional Owners about the land on which the Museum stands, and enjoy performances by artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Led by First Nations peoples and reflecting modern Australia’s multicultural communities, the events on offer are inspired by stories from our exhibitions.
Take a tour or join a workshop
Join a free dance workshop, curator talk or host tour or learn First Nations weaving or Korean knot-tying skills.
Explore our exhibitions
Visit our Landmarks and First Australians galleries or buy tickets to see Hallyu! the Korean Wave, 9am to 5pm.
Lakeside concert
Relax lakeside with a concert from 11am with:
- traditional dance and storytelling from Kabi Kabi Mooloolah song man Lyndon Davis and the Gubbi Gubbi dance group
- the ethereal Parvyn with her fusion of Indian classical music and flowing pop
- traditional Korean performance group JDance
- Arrernte country music legend Warren H Williams and his family band.
Discovery Centre community day
Entry to the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre play and learn space is free on Australia Day so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Full program details coming soon.
Is the Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition open?
Yes. Sessions are filling fast so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Is Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition free?
No, Hallyu! is a paid exhibition. We have plenty of other free exhibitions and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Is there onsite parking?
Yes, however it will be busy on the day and spots might be hard to find. Traffic management will be onsite to direct you to other parking places, but we encourage you to consider options such as catching the bus, riding an e-scooter, or parking nearby and walking.
See more information about your visit.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. Read more about accessibility at the Museum.
Please email us at programs@nma.gov.au if you have any additional questions.
Will food and drink be available?
Yes. Plenty of food and drinks will be available for purchase – barbecued snags, woodfired pizza and Korean and Indian street foods.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, but please don’t bring glass bottles or containers, hard eskies or ice bins.
Can I bring a shade structure?
No. Shade structures and umbrellas obscure the performances for other visitors.
Can I smoke or vape?
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the building. Outside, we ask that you respect the comfort of other visitors and use only the designated smoking areas.
What about the weather?
We will go ahead no matter what the weather! If rain is forecast, pack a poncho or raincoat.