What’s happening in Darwin: Full week of fashion, culture, arts and colour to hit Top End
Darwin is about to be launched into a busy week bursting with culture, creativity and colour as Country to Couture, Darwin Festival and much more hit the right notes. READ MORE.
Nothing says a Darwin Dry season like a week crowded with fabulous festivals and never ending events.
This week the Top End is being treated to a non-stop whirl of activity, music, fashion and arts.
From runways filled with glamour, culture and cutting-edge designs to world-class and local artists performing across 50 venues, August is already hitting the right note.
Read on to see all the events set to hit centre stage this week in Darwin.
Country to Couture
Back for its tenth year, the fabulous runway event displaying the best of First Nations textiles, fashion and talent, Country to Couture, returns on Tuesday August 5.
The showcase is held as part of Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) on Larrakia Country and over the years has nurtured growing talent and businesses helping to increase the growth of Australia’s Indigenous fashion sector.
The sold-out event at the Darwin Convention Centre will be displaying an exciting range of 22 First Nations collections across two runways.
This year, several Darwin designers will be showcasing their collections including Mimmim x FREYZZY Design by Mim Cole and Tatiana Hoffmann and KingKing Creative by Sarrita and Tarisse King.
Tickets for the two shows, Threads of Country and Rising Colours: The BLAK Party have sold out.
National Indigenous Fashion Awards
The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFAs) celebrating and elevating First Nations fashion and textile design is back this year.
First launched in 2020, the event is being hosted at Deckchair Cinema on Wednesday, August 6 where 38 short-listed finalists of First Nations people working in fashion will be judged across seven categories.
The short-listed nominees include a host of Territorians such as Darwin model, mentor and creator Tiesha Munnich and Yolngu artist Andrew Wanamilil.
Tickets for the awards have again sold out.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
The arts festival providing a connection to Country, community and culture and a fantastic collection of contemporary fine art and design begins on Thursday.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) will launch the four-day festival with a series of talks and opening ceremony for the art fair.
From Friday, the Darwin Convention Centre will be filled with textiles and designs from more than 75 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres from across Australia.
Ticketed events such as masterclasses and seminars and free activities, workshops and performances will also be running across the three days.
Click here to view the whole program.
Darwin Festival
Darwin it set to welcome more than 700 local and international artists to Top End venues this month for Darwin Festival.
The jam-packed program from August 7 to August 24 is set to feature eight world premieres alongside a grand display of musicians, art, comedy, dance and more.
Other artists expected to be performing this weekend include New Zealand sensation L. A. B, ARIA chart-topper Gabriella Cilmi, Alice Springs duo The Wanted Gems, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, and Juran.
Foodies and drink conisseurs will also be able to enjoy the largest-ever Taste of Darwin program including a City Cocktail Experience and a Gloom and Gourmet Dinner.
For the full program or to buy ticket, visit darwinfestival.org.au
Darwin Fashion Week
A newcomer to the fashion scene, Darwin Fashion Week launches in Darwin on Thursday, August 7.
The four-day event curated by Fiona Le and Phuong Le is a celebration of style and creativity and features runway shows, exhibits, galas and workshops.
Set to celebrate Territory-based businesses and emerging and established designers, the Runway Show on Saturday, August 9 will be hosted at Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
To find out more information or buy tickets, visit darwinfashionweek.com.au
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards
The awards ceremony held on Friday, August 8 will recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia.
Over 70 finalist works have been announced for this year’s 2025 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards Telstra (NATSIAA) selected from over 200 entries.
Just under 40 of those finalists this year are from the Northern Territory.
The “longest running and most prestigious art awards of its kind” in Australia will be presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Principal Partner Telstra on Larrakia Country, Darwin.
Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory website for more information.
National Indigenous Music Awards
Celebrating 21 years of recognising the talent and achievements of First Nations music and musicians, the National Indigenous Music Awards will return on Saturday.
Held at the Gardens Amphitheatre and hosted this year by YouTube, the winners across six major categories will be announced on the night.
Guests will also get to enjoy a host of live performances from the likes of storyteller Troy Cassar-Daley, pop icon Jessica Mauboy and singer-songwriter Emma Donovan.
Ahead of the event, Troy Cassar-Daley said he had his guitar at the ready.
“My connection to Larrakia Country has been a long one, first visiting over there at 21 I fell in love with the country and its people. I can’t wait to celebrate our mob’s achievements in Garramilla,” he said.
Tickets can be bought on the Darwin Festival website.
