Wardarnji

Wardarnji

Indigenous performers wearing red loincloths and body paint dance and crouch on a sandy field before a seated audience.

“Wardarnji has a spot in the heart of our communities and the dancers look forward to this special time each year that they all get to dance together under the stars, raising the vibration of country through dance and song and making everyone’s spirit strong.”

— Karla Hart Woola

Wardarnji celebrates the beauty and richness of Nyoongar culture through breathtaking song, language, dance and storytelling, led by First Nations artists, creatives and cultural leaders.

A joyful celebration of one of the world’s oldest living cultures, Wardarnji brings together traditional and contemporary dance, music, storytelling and cultural expression. As night falls, fires burn into the evening, while markets showcase the creativity and talents of local Aboriginal makers.

Renowned Nyoongar performers and producers who have directed Wardarnji include Richard Walley, Robyn Smith-Walley and Karla Hart. The event has always been First Nations-led and is proudly supported by the City of Fremantle, with Wardarnji presented at locations across Walyalup, including Fremantle Arts Centre and Esplanade Park.

Wardarnji brings thousands of people together each year, with audiences experiencing performances from dance groups representing clans from across Noongar boodja. More than 150 artists, ranging in age from young children to Elders, come together to share traditional and contemporary works, creating a powerful intergenerational celebration of culture, community and Country.

Wardarnji takes place from 4pm on Saturday 28 November 2026 at Esplanade Park.

A woman at a craft market holds up a red and blue scarf for shoppers to see.

Expressions of interest to trade at Wardarnji 2026

The City of Fremantle is seeking Aboriginal artists, makers and businesses selling arts, crafts, products and food to join us at Wardarnji 2026.

Please note that stallholder opportunities are intended for Aboriginal arts, crafts and food vendors, rather than information displays or service promotion.

Wardarnji will be held at Esplanade Park from 4pm on Saturday 28 November 2026.

Information for successful candidates:

  • Stallholders have access to the site from 1pm and must be fully set up and ready to trade by 4pm
  • You will be allocated a 3m x 3m space
  • Stallholders are expected to remain open until the event concludes at 8.30pm

Key Dates

  • Applications open: Friday 9 October 2026
  • Applications close: Monday 2 November 2026 | 5pm


(Image cr. Miles Noel)

Submit application

Upcoming

A woman at a craft market holds up a red and blue scarf for shoppers to see.
Wardarnji | Miles Noel
A man playing a didgeridoo into a microphone on an outdoor stage.
Wardarnji | Jessica Wyld
Two girls standing on a beach throwing yellow powder into the air.
Wardarnji | Jessica Wyld
A group of Indigenous Australian men and boys performing a traditional dance on a beach, with body paint and red loincloths, in front of a seated audience.
Wardarnji | Jessica Wyld
Wardarnji
Wardarnji | Miles Noel
Two Indigenous women perform a traditional dance while wearing white face paint, necklaces, and skirts adorned with colorful tassels, each holding a bundle of eucalyptus leaves.
Wardarnji | Jessica Wyld
An Indigenous Australian man with white body paint wearing a fur cloak and a headband holds a boomerang during a performance.
Wardarnji | Jessica Wyld
Performers in a nighttime outdoor show dance around a person wearing a large, textured bird costume with expansive wings.
Wardarnji | Miles Noel
Several people in traditional ceremonial attire and headpieces perform a dance while holding wooden staves under red lighting.
Wardarnji
A large crowd of people sitting on the grass at night, holding up their illuminated smartphones.
Wardarnji | Miles Noel
Four people sit in a circle around a glowing fire pit on sand at night, holding their hands out to warm them over the flames.
Wardarnji | Miles Noel
A young Indigenous woman with long curly hair wearing a traditional headband and white ochre markings on her face and arms.
Wardarnji | Jessica Wyld
Display of various Buffie Coruna brand earrings on wooden stands, including round designs featuring Aboriginal flag colors and other decorative shapes, with price tags of $10 and $25.
Wardarnji | Miles Noel

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Gold and black badge reading “Fremantle, WA Gold Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards 2025 Winner,” with a gold map pin and white star on the left side.

The City of Fremantle acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the Fremantle/Walyalup area and we recognise their cultural and heritage beliefs are still important today.

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