Where to catch free music and fireworks on Territory Day 2024
ARIA award-winning artist Budjerah will headline as free music, community barbecues, and fireworks go off across the NT. Here’s all you need to know to have a cracking good time on July 1.
What's On
Don't miss out on the headlines from What's On. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Territory Day is gearing up to go off with a bang, with community events, music and fireworks across the NT.
The theme of this year’s celebrations on Monday, July 1, is ‘It’s a Territory thing’, recognising the connection people have with the NT and unique things you can only do here.
Free celebrations and firework displays will take place at 21 locations from Nhulunbuy to Yuendumu, with signature events in Darwin and Alice Springs.
Darwin celebrations at Mindil Beach will include performances by ARIA Award winning artist Budjerah, singer songwriter Steph Strings, Bobbly Fleet Orchestra and The Melophobics.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and take advantage of the food trucks on offer, with festivities kicking off at 4pm and the big fireworks display taking place at 8.15pm.
The Mindil Beach cracker night celebrations are a BYO alcohol event (no glass) and free bus services will be operating from Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston interchanges to Mindil Beach.
The event was moved back to Mindil Beach after it was briefly relocated to the Waterfront because it had not obtained an authority certificate, which could indemnify organisers if damage occurred at Mindil, which is an Aboriginal sacred site.
Alice Springs festivities will now take place at Anzac Oval, it will be the last event held there before construction begins on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia.
The location will provide a bigger space for patrons to view the fireworks and enjoy festivities.
On the line up for the Red Centre celebrations are Katanga Junior and James Range Band, who played support for Paul Kelly at the Warm-Up last year.
The event is alcohol free, and will run from 5pm to 8.15pm with fireworks at 7.30pm.
Food trucks will also be onsite.
“Right across the NT locals and visitors are encouraged to attend the free events and immerse themselves in the festivities and celebrations around them,” Major Events Minister Brent Potter said.
“If you are coming to the iconic Mindil Beach celebrations please note personal fireworks are not allowed, however if you are buying your own and going somewhere else please be safe and of course have fun.”
To find out more about a Territory Day event near you head to www.territoryday.nt.gov.au.
Community events:
Alyangula (Groote Eylandt)
Where: Alyangula Beach Reserve
Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Official fireworks display 7pm.
Berry Springs
Where: Berry Springs Recreation Reserve
Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Official fireworks display at 8pm. Pack a picnic or purchase food and drinks in the hall.
Coomalie
Where: Batchelor Oval
Time: 5:30pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with a BBQ and an official fireworks display at 6:45pm.
Dundee Beach
Where: Dundee Beach Boat Ramp
Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with a BBQ sausage sizzle fundraiser and an official fireworks display at 7pm.
Galiwin’ku
Details To Be Confirmed
Jabiru
Where: Jabiru Lakeside, Civic Drive
Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Official fireworks display at 7pm.
Kalkarindji Daguragu
What’s happening: Official fireworks display at 7:30pm.
Katherine
Where: Katherine Showgrounds
Time: 5pm
What’s happening: Featuring food, entertainment and music, including performances from DJ Wellamah and MC Yola. Official fireworks display at 8:15pm.
Maningrida
Where: AFL Oval beside the Maningrida School
Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with a BBQ and an official fireworks display at 6:30pm.
Nhulunbuy
Where: Hindle Oval 1 & Hindle 2 (Bottlebrush Ave)
Time: 5pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with food, entertainment and live music performances. Official fireworks display at 8:45pm.
Ngukurr
Where: Ngukurr Oval
Time: TBA
What’s happening: Official fireworks display at 7pm.
Palmerston
Where: Goodline Park (Palmerston Raiders)
Time: 5pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with a live performance, food and an official fireworks display at 7:30pm.
Pine Creek
Where: Jimmy Ah Toy Oval
Event Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Official fireworks display from 7:00pm.
Tennant Creek
Where: Barkly Arts Backyard, Karguru Centre, 65 Staunton Street
Event Time: 5pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with food, entertainment and live music performances from Coloured Stone, Jallajirrpa Band, Work Camp Band and Alison Mapleson. Official fireworks display at 8:15pm. Parking is limited at this site. Please consider walking, riding your bike or using the town bus service to get to and from the celebrations.
Tiwi Islands (Wurrumiyanga)
Where: Pirlangimpi Community Oval
Event Time: 5:30pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with a BBQ from 5:30 – 7:15pm next to the Recreation Hall and official fireworks display at 7:30pm.
Wadeye
Where: Main football oval Wadeye – Kurawul Street
Event Time: 6:30pm
What’s Happening: Celebrate with an official fireworks display at 7pm.
Wagait Beach (Cox Peninsula)
Where: Cloppenburg Park, 50 Forsyth Road, Wagait Beach
Event Time: 6pm
What’s happening: Celebrate with sausage sizzle from 6pm and an official fireworks display at 7pm.
Yuendumu
Where: Yuendumu Football Oval
What’s happening: Official fireworks display at 6:30pm.
Yulara
Where: Yulara Oval
What’s happening: Celebrate with hotdogs and soup and an official fireworks display at 6:15pm.
Darwin Salties men take Mackay to the wire in Round 11 thriller
Missing their two best players, up against their old captain and playing top of the table Mackay, the Salties Men played out an absolute thriller, while their counterparts secured a much needed win.
What’s on: It’s festival fever for our Dry season
It wouldn’t be the Dry Season if there weren’t at least three festivals on this weekend … Luckily for us all – there’s four, writes Kate Dinning. Find out what’s going on in the NT this weekend.