Indonesian Festival returns to Darwin Waterfront on October 5 after half-decade hiatus

Darwin’s Waterfront is set to come alive with the sound of Indonesian music, the smell of cultural cuisine, and the sight of traditional performances. Find out when it’s on.

Claudya Chairul, 9, Akeysha Newall, 11, and Gladisya Chairul, 9, danced at the Pesona Indonesia festival celebrating Indonesian culture at the Darwin Waterfront in 2015.

Darwin’s Waterfront is set to come alive with the sound of Indonesian music, the smell of cultural cuisine, and the sight of traditional performances.

Nusantara Foundation president Faizal Poulter said the festival was a chance for Darwin locals to enjoy and sample Indonesian culture.

“The show is actually giving back to the people of Darwin, from the Indonesian community,” Mr Poulter said.

He said the event itself would be lifestreamed to Indonesia in what he expected would be the Territory’s first internationally broadcasted event.

Claudya and Gladisya Chairul in 2015.

Organiser Andrea Allen said the free festival would last from 4-9.30pm on Saturday, October 5.

Ms Allen said it marked the festival’s major return since 2019, and visitors would be able to browse several stalls – including one from the UN and the Indonesian consulate who has flown to Darwin.

“If people are interested in going to Indonesia after they’ve immersed themselves in the festival, they can have a chat to the travel agents and sort out their next trip to Bali or wherever,” she said.

Ms Allen said she also hoped the livestream would serve to entice young Indonesians to consider a trip to Darwin to study.

Originally published as Indonesian Festival returns to Darwin Waterfront on October 5 after half-decade hiatus