Chinese New Year: in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar, celebrations are held in every street and home in Chinese neighbourhoods of Darwin to mark this most auspicious occasion. You’ll see lion dances, parades along many streets and other exciting activities, including lots of fireworks.
Australia Day: on the 26th of February, numerous activities are featured in celebration of Australian independence. A highlight is the Lord Mayor’s flag-raising and citizenship ceremonies that are held at the Marrara Indoor Stadium. More than 100 members of the armed forces band and colour guard take part in the flag-raising.
Darwin Tourism Month: tourism plays an important part in the local economy, and the month of February is designated Darwin Tourism Month. The entire period is loaded with events sponsored by hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, aimed at both locals and visitors. A variety of entertainment is also on offer.
Tiwi Island Art Sale and Football Grand Final: held on Bathurst Island in March, this event offers visitors two good reasons to visit the island. Along with the football grand final, Tiwi Design features a weekend-long sale of art and crafts. Carvings, ceramics, paintings, screen-printed fabrics and weavings are available at bargain prices.
ANZAC Day: on the 25th of April each year, the nation honours those who fought and died while serving in the armed forces while doing their part to safeguard the country and preserve freedom. A parade and ceremony are held in Darwin, as well as in other cities across the continent.
May Day: May Day sees rock concerts and parties at many of the area’s beaches. The beach parties are important events, signalling the departure of the box jellyfish from local waters and the beginning of the swimming season.
‘Down Under’ International Film Festival: the NT Filmmakers Association plays host to the 'Down Under' International Film Festival at venues across Darwin. The festival is a celebration of the works of local filmmakers and an open competition among local, regional and international filmmakers.
Darwin Seafood Festival: the Stokes Hill Wharf is the venue for the annual celebration of the incredible bounty provided by the sea. The event teams local fishermen with restaurant owners in a collaborative effort to provide diners with an extraordinary opportunity to sample the freshest seafood in a variety of creative preparations.
Royal Darwin Show: held at the Darwin Show Grounds, the Royal Darwin Show is an exhibition of everything produced locally. You’ll see displays of arts and crafts, exhibits from local commerce and industry, cattle and equestrian competitions, livestock shows and plenty of local food to sample. A huge fireworks display signals the end of the show for another year.
Darwin Cup Carnival: for a four-week period from late July through mid-August, this carnival is held at the Fannie Bay Racecourse and includes eight days of horseracing. One of the main events is the Carlton Draught Darwin Cup, a horse race attracting participants from across the continent.
Darwin Fringe Festival: visual and performing arts featuring top local artists are the focus of the Darwin Fringe Festival, which also attracts numerous artists from other states. There’s an amazing array of performances and exhibits of dance, music and poetry on offer throughout the festival.
Beer Can Regatta: the regatta is an annual event that raises money for local charities. Both beach and water events are featured in this unique competition in which participants must build a seaworthy boat of drink cans. In addition to the contributions to charity, there are cash prizes for the winners and lots of fun for participants and spectators.
Darwin Festival: this is a celebration of the multicultural nature of Darwin. The variety of programmes featured during the festival include live performances of music and dance, parades, cultural shows and a free concert that’s held on the Esplanade.
Food and Wine Festival: winemakers from a number of states descend on Darwin to introduce their most recent vintages and are joined by celebrity chefs who prepare their signature dishes. Local chefs also compete in the festival’s ‘Chef's Favourite’ competition; and great food and wine can be enjoyed by all.
Opening Night of the Deckchair Cinema: film screenings are held every evening during this festival, with double features on the weekend. The extensive programme includes animations, documentaries, features and shorts, and special events are also held on the opening night.
Community Christmas Tree Lighting: Raintree Park is the place to head for family fun when the annual Christmas tree lighting is held. A free community concert is also featured at this time, signalling the beginning of the Christmas season in Darwin. Other highlights of this evening include the arrival of Santa and the Christmas message of the Lord Mayor.
New Year’s Eve on the Wharf: Stokes Hill Wharf is the venue for Darwin’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration. This is a party that the whole family will enjoy. On offer is live entertainment, al fresco dining and a fireworks spectacular to ring in the New Year.
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