Kalkarindji Freedom Day Festival 2026

Celebrating 60 Years of the Wave Hill Walk-Off, culture, music, community and Gurindji history

TEABBA Radio travelled to Kalkarindji for the Gurindji Freedom Day Festival live to listeners across the Top End and beyond.

TEABBA was honoured to  broadcast a major milestone of 60 years since the historic Wave Hill Walk-Off of 1966.

TEABBA & Ms Jedda (OB truck), broadcasters JR, Bala B, Tahlia and Roy were on the ground bringing the festival atmosphere to radio listeners.

Over two big nights, TEABBA captured the sounds and stories of the festival, from interviews and community voices to live music, performances and the atmosphere of one of the Territory's most significant cultural events.

The 2026 festival brought together a huge range of performances, activities and community events.

The TEABBA broadcast featured performances and appearances from artists and groups including Kankawa Nagarra, Sand Ridge, Roadblock, Wampana, B2M, Drifting Clouds, Yilila & Ngulmiya, the Red Flag Dancers, Gurindji Kids, Justine Clarke, Fejo and the Cruisers, the Lazy Late Boys, Dodge City Boys, Whitewater/Wildwater and many more.



The festival also featured a major performance from Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes, who performed with his full band for the Kalkarindji crowd. Reports estimated that between 4,000 and 5,000 people attended the performance.

For TEABBA, being there wasn't just about broadcasting the big performances. It was about being part of the community, talking with people on the ground, sharing stories and giving listeners who couldn't make the journey a chance to hear what was happening in Kalkarindji.