Australia’s hottest winter arts festival, Darwin Festival, today released its full program that features 734 artists presenting 402 dazzling, thought-provoking and joyful performances across a record 50 venues from 7-24 August.
The 46th edition of the festival will ignite the nation’s northernmost capital with a vibrant celebration of cultures, creativity, and community over 18 tropical nights filled with world premieres, national sell-out acts, iconic Australian musicians, award-winning art, side-splitting comedy, exciting cabaret, dance, circus, and family-friendly fun.
Darwin Festival Artistic Director Kate Fell said this year’s program is designed to inspire and entertain, with the record number of venues taking part reflecting the vibrancy, beauty and spirit of Darwin.
“This year, the extraordinary city of Darwin really takes centre stage. From breathtaking sunsets over the harbour to lush parks and iconic venues, Darwin Festival 2025 will shine across 50 locations. We’re thrilled to deliver one of our most diverse and exciting programs yet – spanning art, film, music, comedy, cabaret, dance, food, and family fun, across our biggest-ever footprint,” she said.
As always, the heart of the festival will be the much-loved Festival Park, lighting up each night from sunset with music, food, interactive light installations and good vibes, excluding Mondays.
An extensive line-up of world class talent
The festival includes eight world premieres, five of which are Indigenous cultural performances, the largest-ever Taste of Darwin program, exclusive Northern Territory productions, and a stellar lineup of Australia’s most acclaimed shows.
Among the world premieres is Shundori, an immersive visual art experience by Walkley-nominated filmmaker Naina Sen – a bold and intimate exploration of contemporary South Asian identity from Darwin’s creative heart.
Other world premiere highlights include Tracks Dance Company’s new show Antidote, celebrating local stories and community; and Crown and Country, a cinematic and musical journey exploring connection to Country, belonging, and cultural responsibility.
Festivalgoers can also expect a powerful lineup of musical world premieres. A Night of Rock & Roll with Bogan Villea offers a guest-filled tribute to Aussie anthems with a Blak and bogan twist. Darwin Symphony Orchestra will present Heaven and Earth, inspired by a key ancestral figure from Northeast Arnhem Land. In a poignant cultural moment, the Warumungu Elders and Dr Shellie Morris will perform Singing For Our Little Ones, the live debut of their new children’s album – part of a crucial language preservation project, with only 50 fluent speakers of Warumungu remaining.
Additionally, soul powerhouse Emma Donovan will deliver the world premiere of Take Me To The River, a passionate homage to legends like Al Green, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin, delivered with her unmistakable vocal fire.
The festival will also feature a rich mix of circus, dance, opera, and experimental performance. Standouts include Circa’s Duckpond, a spectacular circus reimagining of Swan Lake; Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Illume, exploring the wonder of light; Opera Australia’s La Bohème, a timeless bohemian love story; and Night Night, a genre-defying theatrical film blending puppetry, animation, and digital artistry.
Festival favourite Spiegeltent returns with a new sexy circus spectacular, La Ronde, which promises to wow audiences with its seductive and intoxicating acts.
A slew of beloved Australian and international artists and comedians will also be coming to Darwin, including Sarah Blasko, Rhys Nicholson, Dave Hughes, Jude Perl, Rhonda Burchmore, Melanie Bracewell, Anthony Callea, Merrick Watts, Tricksy Collins, Tim Campbell, Suhani Shah, Troy Cassar-Daley, and more.
Guy Sebastian to open festival.
Guy Sebastian kicks off the festival in style on Friday, 8 August 2025, headlining opening night at the stunning new Fort Hill Parklands in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. The opening weekend continues with the Darwin debut of New Zealand sensation L.A.B., alongside Gabriella Cilmi, The Wanted Gems, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, and Juran.
The festival’s expanded Taste of Darwin program includes a City Cocktail Experience – offering a choice between a glamorous 1920s bar hop or a wild tropical bar adventure; the Gloom and Gourmet Dinner, a darkly delicious feast set in a moody, red-lit banquet hall; a Comedy Bus Tour mixing food, drinks, and laughs across multiple venues; and Makan Club, a four-course sensory journey exploring food, culture, and connection.
Family favourites the Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Family Fiesta also return this year.
For full program details, visit darwinfestival.org.au.
Friends of the Festival tickets go on sale 9am Wednesday 4 June, with public tickets available from 9am Friday 6 June.
Darwin Festival is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government through NT Major Events Company and City of Darwin.
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