How to watch Garma Festival 2025 outside Australia

How to watch Garma Festival 2025 for free

Table of Contents

Here’s everything you need to know about Garma Festival 2025, including how to watch, what to expect, and key highlights from this historic 25th anniversary celebration of Yolŋu culture and identity.

How to watch Garma Festival 2025 outside Australia on SBS On Demand

To watch Garma Festival 2025 outside Australia, use a VPN and connect to an Australian server. Once connected, visit SBS On Demand and create a free account to access the live and on-demand broadcasts. This allows you to stream all Garma events online from anywhere

Subscribe to NordVPN
Install the VPN app on your device.
Connect to an Australian-based server.
Open SBS On Demand website or launch its app, then login or sign up for a new account.
You are all set to watch Garma Festival 2025 live

Get NordVPN

What is Garma Festival 2025 About?

Garma Festival 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Australia’s premier Indigenous cultural event. Held in northeast Arnhem Land at the Gulkula ceremonial site, the festival is a four-day celebration of Yolŋu culture, showcasing miny’tji (art), manikay (song), buŋgul (dance), and ancestral storytelling. Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Garma brings together Yolŋu clans, leaders, Elders, politicians, and guests from across Australia and the world to engage in deep cultural exchange and national dialogue.

The 2025 theme is “Law of the Land: Standing Firm,” reflecting Yolŋu resilience, tradition, and cultural authority.

When and What Time Does Garma Festival 2025 Start?

Start Date: Friday, 1 August 2025
End Date: Monday, 4 August 2025
Opening Ceremony: Friday, 1 August, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM AEST
Daily Buŋgul Performances: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Saturday to Monday)
Keynote Forums: Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Commemorative Special (25 Years Strong): Sunday, 3 August, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Festival Highlights Recap: Monday, 4 August, 6:00 PM

Where to Watch Garma Festival 2025

You can watch Garma Festival 2025 live and on-demand for free on SBS, NITV, and SBS On Demand. All major events—including the Opening Ceremony, daily Buŋgul performances, keynote forums, and the 25th anniversary special—will be simulcast on these platforms. Simply create a free SBS On Demand account to stream the full coverage online.

NITV (National Indigenous Television)
SBS (Special Broadcasting Service)
SBS On Demand (Free streaming platform)

Garma Festival 2025 Schedule

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the official Garma broadcast schedule (AEST):

Friday, 1 August 2025

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: NITV News: Nula (Live preview from Gulkula)
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Opening Ceremony (Hosted by Natalie Ahmat & John Paul Janke)

Saturday, 2 August 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Buŋgul Ceremony
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Garma Forums: Morning Sessions
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Garma Forums: Afternoon Sessions

Sunday, 3 August 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Buŋgul Ceremony
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Garma 2025: 25 Years Strong (Special coverage)

Monday, 4 August 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Buŋgul Ceremony
6:00 PM: The Best of Garma 2025 (Recap highlights)

What Kind of Events Take Place at Garma?

Garma features a rich tapestry of cultural, political, and educational events:

Ceremonial Buŋgul: Traditional Yolŋu dance and music at sunrise and sunset
Miny’tji Exhibitions: Sacred art and storytelling on bark and canvas
Manikay (Songlines): Ancestral song passed through generations
Forums and Panels: Indigenous policy, youth justice, climate, education
Learning on Country: Spear-making, language lessons, bush medicine, kinship systems
Workshops & Youth Programs: For both Yolŋu and non-Yolŋu attendees
Art, Music, and Storytelling Stages: Performances from Yolŋu and guest artists

Who is Hosting Garma Festival 2025?

The Garma Festival 2025 is hosted by:

Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF)
Natalie Ahmat and John Paul Janke serve as broadcast hosts for SBS and NITV coverage
Guest speakers include:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Yolŋu Elders and Leaders
- Community activists
- Government ministers and policy experts

Can You Watch Garma Festival 2025 Online for Free?

Yes. You can stream the full Garma Festival 2025 for free on SBS On Demand. All broadcasts from SBS and NITV are made available without a subscription, simply by signing up for a free SBS account.

FAQs

1. Where is the Garma Festival Held?

The festival is held at Gulkula, a sacred ceremonial site 40km from Nhulunbuy in northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia

2. What Is the ‘Law of the Land: Standing Firm’ Theme About?

This year’s theme underscores Yolŋu identity, connection to Country, and resistance against cultural erasure, calling for strong leadership in self-determination.

3. Is Garma Family Friendly?

Yes. There are programs and workshops tailored for children and youth, including traditional spear-making, music, and cultural education.

4. How Can I Support the Yolŋu Community?

You can donate to the Yothu Yindi Foundation, become a Garma sponsor, or purchase Yolŋu art through licensed, ethical outlets.

Garma Festival 2025 Trailer

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