Year in pictures: NT’s best photos of 2023

From memorials to milestones, sports to socials, 2023 has proven to be a vibrant display of colour and emotion. See the NT News’ photographer’s top pictures of the year.

The colour and excitement of life in the NT is best captured in photo form.

Relive some of the best moments of the year through our photographers’ collection of their favourite pictures.

Alexander Volkanovski UFC fighter at East Point, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Families gathered along the streets of Darwin for the return of the city’s Christmas pageant to celebrate the start of the festive season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Georgia Critchley attended TROPiCON 2023 at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Lawkatah Williams, Mack Horton, Laura Douglas and Hunter Rosewood as Olympians and scholarship coaches run training sessions for Katherine youth at RAAF Base Tindal. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Clay Childs, Kobi Childs and Nate Childs at the Berry Springs Tavern croc race. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Protesters at an anti-fracking demonstration in Darwin ahead of a Supreme Court challenge against former Environment Minister Lauren Moss’ approval of Tamboran’s exploration fracking project in the NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Paul Burgess The Halloween King get's ready to show his collective pieces for Halloween at Anula, NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

2x Paralympian and gold medalist Katie Kelly OAM with the school captains Marina Regojevic and Lucas Atkins from Stuart Park Primary, Monday, October 23, 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Hongkong VTC Solar Car getting ready for the lap of 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, Hidden Valley Raceway, Saturday, October 21, 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Leomani was the winner of NT's cutest toddler from Marlow Lagoon for 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Palestinian refugee Raed Zannoun, who now lives in Darwin, shared his story of family stuck in Gaza's Rafah camp. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kenbi Dances from Belyuen community at the Northern Land Council 50 Year Anniversary Concert in State Square, Parliament House, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

More than 200 soldiers from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery at the Freedom of Entry march through Palmerston on Friday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Erin Willoughby, Liana Arias, Jack Furlotte, Nyah Bertschi, Katie Furlotte and Merietta Tira as thousands of fans gather to watch the Matildas take on England in the World Cup Semifinal at Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Janine Milne at the 2023 Darwin Cup. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Gioia Johnson on day three of Garma Festival, on Sunday August 6. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Gumatj Yellow Tribe presents evening Bungul at the Garma Festival on Friday August 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Numbulwa red flag dance at day one of Garma Festival on Friday August 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mindil Beach celebrates the arrival of the Mud Crab as it complete its world record underwater drive from Mandorah. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

All the rides at the royal Darwin show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Luca McGuinness at the 2023 Dinah Beach Yacht Club Viking Funeral. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Amanda Jarrett fashions MC at the 2023 Darwin Derby day. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Palmerston teenager Peter Skeen was shot at six times by NT Police during an incident at Gray on March 8, 2022. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Drew Mcaliece with his boat SheBeRite Reigning novelty boat champion of the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta at Virginia, NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kids Cheering for Waratah Leilani Perez, Carter Branford, Liv Kafkas 16/3/23 Picture: PEMA TAMANG Pakhrin

NT Easter Show at Darwin Waterfront Jumping Castle Jenny & Isabella Picture: PEMA TAMANG Pakhrin

Ahsan Mukhils shared his excitement in the opening of Guzman Y Gomez at Stuart Park, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

ANZAC DAY 25/4/23 Thousands gathered at the Cenotaph to commemorate the 108th Anzac Day. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Shaylee Roberts, Chloe Jensen and Tegan Petherick-collins at BASSINTHEGRASS 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Darwin Festival Reveals 2023 Program, Kacie Austin at Deckchair Cinema. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Barunga Festival 2023 in Northern Territory. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakrhin

Barunga Festival 2023 in Northern Territory. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakrhin

Matt Wright arrives at the Darwin Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Trevor Sullivan shares his experience of how crocodiles could be home pets at Eva Valley Road, NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Evonne Goolagong-Cawley at the start of the 2023 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Baden Dixon from Techno Vikings at the Darwin Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach, 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sarah Oliver from Techno Vikings at the Darwin Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach, 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mackenzie Woodhill #118 from NT boy at the 2023 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championships, Darwin, NT, Australia. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

ANZAC DAY 25/4/23 Thousands gathered at the Cenotaph to commemorate the 108th Anzac Day. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dr Julia Sykley with her bird, Roxara, who had a big two nights buzzing around Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Elle Conway and Stuart Brown preparing for Saturday's Craft Beer Craft Fair at the One Mile Brewery. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Zoe Moir, Emma Goodwin, Indiana Heffernan and Vincent Nichols got in the Christmas spirit during the annual Carols by Candlelight at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday night which attracted thousands to the Amphitheatre for a warm night of carols. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Pro-Palestine protesters in Darwin joined global calls for an immediate ceasefire on International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine on Bagot Road, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Rizvana Patan at the Pro-Palestine protesters in Darwin joined global calls for an immediate ceasefire on International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine on Bagot Road, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Max Lenoir celebrates the finish line with the santa of the Variety Santa Fun Run 2023, Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Wairuk Band from Humpty Doo at the Northern Land Council 50 Year Anniversary Concert in State Square, Parliament House, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sharon Cutajar at the Gold Coast Suns match vs Western Bulldogs at TIO Stadium. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Territory All Stars captain Shae Muhleisen makes a break in the 2023 Deadly Cup Carnival. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kim Kantilla was everywhere in the Tiwi Bombers win against Palmerston Magpies in Round 3 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Celebration Shots Womens Final NTFL Picture PEMA TAMANG Pakhrin

Celebration Shots Mens Final NTFL Picture PEMA TAMANG Pakhrin

Cruz Hewitt during the second round of qualifying Darwin International Tour at the Darwin International Tennis Centre, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Corban Crowther (NZL) in action during the second round of qualifying Darwin International Tour at the Darwin International Tennis Centre, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ahead of the 2022-23 NTFL Grand Final Ryan Ayres, Dylan Collis, Kiert Zerafa, Shannon Rusa, Dean Staunton, Cassie Henderson Picture: PEMA TAMANG Pakhrin

Georgia Marsland tackles Joanne Huddleston and Hannah Torsney as St Mary's take on the Palmerston Magpies women in Round 8 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Originally published as Year in pictures: NT’s best photos of 2023