Arts and Culture Events in the Northern Territory in 2025

Written by: Allison Watt; Photographer: Supplied

Published on February 25, 2025

Time to read 5 min

Aboriginal communities are the heartbeat of the Northern Territory’s vibrant arts and culture scene. Coupled with a diverse, multicultural population shaped by the region’s proximity to Asia and rich history of migration, the NT has emerged as one of Australia’s most unique arts and culture powerhouses. From exhibitions and awards to major festivals spanning food, fashion, theatre and more, don’t miss some of the NT’s best arts and culture events in 2025.

Visual Arts

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light — 4-13 April

Parrtjima returns to Alice Springs (Mparntwe) for its 10th iteration from 4-13 April, celebrating Aboriginal art, culture and technology beneath Central Australia’s starry skies. This free, 10-night festival lights up the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges with stunning installations, Aboriginal art, live performances and, for the first time, an open-air performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra featuring Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams and Bronwyn Stuart.

Darwin Street Art Festival — 24 May-15 June

The Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF) is one of Australia’s premier street art events. This vibrant festival transforms Darwin into a sprawling outdoor gallery, with local and international artists adding to the city’s ever-growing collection of more than 100 murals. DSAF 2025 promises to be bigger than ever, with exhibitions, graffiti workshops, film screenings, live music and, of course, its legendary Block Party.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair — 7-10 August

Back for its 19th year, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) showcases the diverse works of more than 1500 Indigenous artists from more than 70 art centres nationwide. Expect everything from striking paintings and intricate sculptures to stunning textiles and innovative printmaking. DAAF is more than just a chance to purchase ethically – it’s an opportunity to connect with Indigenous cultures, meet artists and support their communities directly. Last year alone, the event generated more than $4.3 million in sales, with 100 per cent of proceeds going straight back to art centres.

Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards - Awards Ceremony: 8 August
Exhibition Period: 21 June 2025 - January 2026

As Australia’s longest running and most prestigious celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, NATSIAA has provided a national platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists for more than 40 years. Artists are awarded across a range of categories, including the $100,000 Telstra Art Award and the People’s Choice Award. The awards ceremony takes place on 8 August 2025, followed by an exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) that runs until January 2026.

Tiwi Islands Grand Final and Art Sale – August

Take a day trip from Darwin and experience the rich culture of the Tiwi Islands, where art and AFL reign supreme. Known as the ‘Island of Smiles’, Tiwi offers a vibrant blend of sport and creativity, perfectly captured in the annual Tiwi Islands Grand Final and Art Sale. Visitors flock from far and wide to catch thrilling AFL action, and to purchase incredible pieces of Tiwi art – from ironwood carvings to ochre paintings on bark, canvas and paper, plus unique prints and textiles.

Desert Mob — September – October

Desert Mob is the ultimate celebration of desert culture, bringing together hundreds of artists from across Australia to Alice Springs to showcase the richness of Aboriginal art. Held in the heart of the Red Centre, Desert Mob features an impressive lineup of works from artists affiliated with the Desert art centres, spanning the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The festival’s vibrant program includes an exhibition, symposium and marketplace where visitors can purchase ethically sourced art, plus studio tours, curator talks, hands-on art workshops, live music and more.

Cultural Festivals

fabALICE — 27-30 March

Inspired by the iconic cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, fabALICE extends Mardi Gras celebrations to Alice Springs (Mparntwe) each March. This family-friendly, multi-day festival celebrates the inclusivity and diversity of the Red Centre. Expect a dazzling extravaganza of drag, cabaret, comedy and community events, with something for all ages. The glitter-packed program features live performances, pop-up bars, street parades, drag queen-guided bus tours and a whole lot more.

fabALICE

Karrimanjbekkan An-Me Kakadu - Taste of Kakadu — 23-25 May

Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu – Taste of Kakadu, a cultural food festival 65,000 years in the making, is back from 23-25 May with an extraordinary native-infused food program that promises an unforgettable journey for the senses. Set within Kakadu National Park — Australia’s second-largest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage site — the festival promises unique culinary and cultural experiences including traditional ground oven feasts, forage walks with Traditional Owners, canapé cruises, workshops and more.

Barunga Festival — 6-9 June

Held in Katherine and surrounds, the Barunga Festival celebrates the rich tradition of sharing remote Aboriginal Australian culture, bringing communities together for a vibrant long weekend of music, sport, art, culture and dance. Held annually in June, the festival transforms the small community of Barunga, located about 80km southeast of Katherine, from a population of 360 to nearly 4000 festivalgoers. Highlights include live music, traditional dances, an art and fabric fair, a fashion show, bush medicine and cooking demonstrations, weaving, AFL games and more.

Top Dancers performing at the Barunga Festival Tourism NT Alana Holmberg

Garma Festival — 1-4 August

The Garma Festival brings together the Yolngu clans of Arnhem Land for a four-day celebration of art, music, dance, ceremony and song. Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, it is one of Australia’s largest First Nations gatherings, showcasing traditional miny’tji (art), manikay (song), bunggul (dance) and storytelling.

Country to Couture — 5 August

Country to Couture is where First Nations textiles, fashion and art collide in a colourful showcase of creativity from across Australia. The high-energy runway presents innovative collections from Indigenous designers and artists across Australia, as well as unique collaborations between Indigenous communities and well-known Australian labels.

Darwin Festival — 7-24 August

Australia’s hottest winter arts festival blends Darwin’s quintessential multicultural spirit and vibrant energy with diverse outdoor festivities and world-class events. Over 18 action-packed nights, experience theatre, music, comedy, circus, cabaret, dance, visual arts, delicious food and drinks, and captivating storytelling.

Desert Festival — September

Desert Festival is Central Australia's leading annual arts event, showcasing culture, community and diversity across various art forms. Since its inception in 2001, this award-winning festival has brought desert stories to life through live music, dance, theatre, immersive experiences, light installations, workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions, all set amid the stunning backdrop of the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs.

Darwin International Laksa Festival — 1-31 October

Darwin International Laksa Festival returns for its eighth year, serving up a spicy celebration of the region’s vibrant Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian communities — and a shared love of the Top End’s most iconic dish. Over the course of this month-long festival, foodies can eat their way through a mouthwatering mix of laksas and laksa-inspired dishes from more than 50 local eateries and market stalls, and vote for their favourite. The festival culminates with the highly anticipated 'Golden Bowl' award, alongside cooking demos, roving entertainment, food trucks and plenty more to spice things up.