THE ninth Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee will take place on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Emu Plains Reserve. The event is family friendly; entry is by donation and the entire program is organised and realised by a dedicated group of community volunteers.
Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee continues to be an event where the community can gather to share, begin conversations and walk with First Peoples. One of many of its goals is to “honour and celebrate First Nations Peoples cultures, celebrating where First Nations peoples have come from and all they have achieved and continue to achieve”.
The festival is presented by Balnarring Preschool, joint winners of the 2021 Narragunnawali Award which recognises outstanding reconciliation initiatives in schools and early learning centres. Boon Wurrung Elder N’arwee’t Professor Carolyn Briggs AM has been working with the teaching team and children at Balnarring preschool for more than 12 years and she provides guidance to the festival development.
The Ngargee promotes cross cultural awareness in a vibrant, family-friendly outdoor space. First Peoples cultures are shared through music, dance, language, art, conversations and first hand experiences.
Headlining the 2026 event is Dan Sultan. One of Australia’s most loved singer-songwriters Sultan boasts numerous accolades to his name, including seven ARIA Awards, NIMA Awards, Top five ARIA-charging albums, and an ARIA-certified gold record.
Also appearing at the festival is Melbourne-based artists Candice Lorrae, Canisha Clemmet-Kennedy. Kiwat Kennell and the Boon Wurrung Ngargee Dancers will also be performing. The event will also feature workshops, market stalls and food trucks.
More information on the festival can be found at: balnarringfestival.com.au
First published in the Mornington News – 24 February 2026
