The Canberra Reconciliation Day long weekend will begin with the annual National Sorry Day Bridge Walk on Friday and end with a community event to mark the public holiday on Monday in Commonwealth Park.

The bridge walk, “to pay respect to Stolen Generations survivors and commemorate the history of forcible removals and its ongoing impacts”, will start from Regatta Point at 10.30am on Friday. There will be a Welcome to Country  and a smoking ceremony plus entertainment. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The free fun, family friendly event, to mark the seventh Reconciliation Day public holiday, will run from 10am to 3pm at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park.

The entertainment program will be headlined by First Nations singer and reality TV star Isaac Compton and feature performances from Wallabindi, singer-songwriter and winner of MusicACT’s Independent Debut in 2023, and indigenous rock, folk, pop band Djaarmby Band.

The government is providing free public transport for people attending the event on all Transport Canberra regular bus and light rail services. Passengers simply need to tell the bus driver or Customer Service Officer that they’re attending the event if asked.

Highlights of the 2024 Reconciliation Day program include:

•    Smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country at 10am
•    Activities for kids including ochre face painting, Aboriginal symbol tracing and puzzles and bush tucker games
•    Basket weaving, Dreamtime Story art and boomerang painting
•    A full day of entertainment from singers, dancers and musicians
•    A panel discussion with insights from panellists including retired ANU historian Prof Peter Read, author Samantha Faulkner and Associate Prof Anthony Hopkins.
•    Food stalls.