Yarrapay Festival

The Yarrapay Festival is an annual community event held in Yirrkala, Northeast Arnhem Land. The Rirratjingu-led festival is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and artistic talents of the Yolŋu people. The festival showcases a vibrant mix of music, dance, art, and traditional practices, offering attendees an immersive experience into Yolŋu culture.

Ethos

With the ethos of “by the community, for the community,” the festival offers an immersive experience, honouring the heritage and traditions of the local people.With the ethos of “by the community, for the community,” the festival offers an immersive experience, honouring the heritage and traditions of the local people.

Venue

The festival is held on the Roy Marika Stage at the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala. This stage was built in collaboration with the Cotton On Foundation and State and Federal Governments, providing a permanent multi-functional stage and studio for musicians.

Dates

The festival is typically held at the beginning of the dry season. This year, the Festival will fall on the 19th – 20th June 2026.

What Happens at Yarrapay?

The festival traditionally opens with a traditional buŋgul and Welcome to Country, then flows into a full program:

  • Music — Showcasing Yolŋu talent from music industry professionals to school groups, alongside national First Nations artists.
  • Dance — Traditional buŋgul ceremonies performed by Rirratjingu clan members
  • Art — Exhibitions drawing on the extraordinary artistic legacy of Yirrkala. On previous occasions there has been collaboration with The Bait Fridge Collective.
  • Community activities — The Festival engages the broader community and youth through activities including basketball, football, market stalls. The first night of the festival is dedicated to local youth performers, with the highlight being a live dance competition.
  • Food — Local tucker served from the Yirrkala store and from food vendors from the Gove Peninsula.

Past Performers

Past festivals have hosted the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Yirrmal, East Journey, King Stingray and Yothu Yindi. RAC has opened the festival with a special Morning Star Buŋgul, with the event MC’d by RAC Cultural Ambassador Witiyana Marika along with RAC Emerging Leaders Yirrmala Munungurritj and Yini Maymurru. The Garrangali Band from Baniyala headlined in recent years.

Scale The festival has drawn approximately 600 people to Yirrkala, combining people from community, Nhulunbuy, and other surrounding communities and homelands.

Cultural & Historical Significance

The festival is deeply connected to RAC’s Music Program and the legacy of Yothu Yindi. Established through Yothu Yindi’s famous legacy, the RAC Music Program aims to put Yolŋu music in the spotlight.

The Roy Marika Stage itself is a meaningful tribute — named after RAC’s founder Dadayŋa Roy Marika, the acknowledged father of Indigenous Land Rights in Australia.

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