Darwin Festival: It's Festival Season

Festivals mark time. Between May and September, the Northern Territory comes alive as locals emerge from their wet season hibernation and interstate visitors escape the grips of winter down south. From the powerful celebration of Indigenous sport and culture at the iconic Barunga Festival to the creative wonder of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, there are hundreds to choose from on the Territory festival calendar.

All festivals evolve and each year new festivals are added to those existing, offering more opportunity to celebrate people, place, culture and stories. Join Darwin Festival Artistic Director Felix Preval, former Artistic Director Malcolm Blaylock (2003-2008), Northern Territory Library Heritage Coordinator Dr Samantha Wells, Skinnyfish Managing Director Mark Grose in conversation with former Artistic Director of Darwin Fringe Festival Cj Fraser-Bell as they traverse the exciting, diverse and sometimes controversial history of festivals in the Northern Territory. Ranging from the early history of Aboriginal corroboree to community gatherings, from the Bougainvillea Festival to our own annual celebrations at Darwin Festival and everything in-between, this is a history of the Northern Territory through celebration.

Arrive at 5:15pm for a 5:30pm start.

Bookings for this event are being managed by Darwin Festival Box Office. You can book online or call the Box Office on 08 8943 4222. 

Artwork credit: Bougainvillea Festival 1993, Artists Fiona Puruntatamer, Annie Franklin and Donna Burak