Registrations have opened for DanceRites 2026, the ninth iteration of the national competition celebrating First Nations dance, music and culture.
Taking place over the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October, the event will see dance groups will represent their Country and community on the sand circle stage on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
DanceRites has welcomed more than 1800 performers to the Opera House since the inaugural festival in 2015, offering a high-energy showcase of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Formed to safeguard First Nations cultural practices — including language, dance, song and skin markings — the biennial event was most recently held in 2024 and featured dancers from 18 groups representing more than 40 nations and clans.
Free for spectators, the 2024 competition drew record crowds, with thousands more tuning in online for the livestream.
Sydney Opera House head of First Nations Programming, Michael Hutchings, said anticipation for the 2026 event is high.
"Anticipation is high for the return of DanceRites in 2026, and we're eagerly awaiting what this year's competition will bring," Ms Hutchings said.
"The sand circle on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt is a stage like no other, where we witness both deep tradition and cultural innovation from dance groups that hail from all corners of this beautiful land.
"We couldn't be more excited to gather once again on Tubowgule for this spectacular celebration of culture and community."
Beginning on Saturday 24th October, all dance groups will perform in heats for the Cultural Dance and Song Cycle, representing their local storytelling and language.
Eight finalists from this category will progress to the finals the following day, alongside all performances for the optional Wild Card category - where groups showcase their distinct style.
Dance groups will be judged on their engagement with language and culture — including song, skin markings and technical dance skills — by a panel of First Nations dance experts. Prizes will be awarded for the overall winner, one runner-up group and a separate prize for the best Wild Card dance.
Two Rites of Passage awards will also acknowledge outstanding contributions to revitalising cultural knowledge and practices.
The winners will receive cash prizes from a total prize pool of $50,000.
"This incredible event is a celebration of our culture, heritage and connection to Country. To all the groups participating, it's an honour to stand alongside you and represent our communities on such a significant stage," Seba Bourne said, spokesperson for the 2024 overall winners, Mackay Torres Strait Islander Cultural Group.
"This is more than a competition — it's an opportunity to come together, celebrate our traditions and create lasting memories."
DanceRites continues the enduring traditions on Tubowgule, also known as Bennelong Point. Upholding the site as a meeting place for storytelling, ritual celebration and dance, DanceRites aims to promote cultural knowledge and exchange at a community level, providing a space to gather and share First Nations practices with audiences around the world.
DanceRites registrations are now open, closing Wednesday, 22 April.
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