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Your Cultural Guide to What’s On in the Northern Territory in 2026
In 2026, the Northern Territory beckons cultural explorers with a tapestry of arts and festivals that delve deep into its rich heritage.
The Northern Territory does culture with its whole chest. Here, art is not a side quest; it’s a living language, carried through song, story, fibre, paint, performance and place. Plan your trip around the right dates, and you’ll find yourself moving from light installations beneath the MacDonnell Ranges to major art fairs on Larrakia Country, then out to festivals where community, ceremony, fashion and music share the same sky.
If you’re planning a 2026 visit, start here. These are the Northern Territory arts and culture events worth putting in your calendar now.
Key dates to know in 2026
- fabALICE Festival (Alice Springs/Mparntwe): 26th to 29th March 2026
- Parrtjima, A Festival in Light (Alice Springs/Mparntwe): 10th to 19th April 2026
- Tiwi Islands Football Grand Final (Tiwi Islands): Sunday, 19th July 2026
- Garma Festival (Arnhem Land): 31st July to 3rd August 2026
- Country to Couture (Darwin): 2nd to 3rd August 2026
- Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (Darwin): 6th to 9th August 2026
- Telstra NATSIAA (Darwin): Exhibition from 27th June 2026; Awards Night 7th August 2026
- Darwin Festival (Darwin): 6th to 23rd August 2026
- Desert Mob (Alice Springs/Mparntwe): 10th September to 25th October 2026
- Darwin International Laksa Festival (Darwin): October 2026 (annual, dates confirmed closer to launch)
A few events typically announce dates later in the year. Keep an eye out for updates on: Darwin Street Art Festival, Taste of Kakadu, and Barunga Festival.
Alice Springs and the Red Centre
fabALICE Festival
Alice Springs knows how to put on a show, and fabALICE is proof. Inspired by Priscilla, this is a family-friendly festival that turns the Red Centre into a celebration of drag, cabaret, comedy and community. It’s joyful and bright, without ever losing its heart.
Come for the spectacle, stay for the warmth of a town that absolutely commits.
26th to 29th March, 2026
Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
Parrtjima, A Festival in Light
Parrtjima is one of those experiences that stays with you. The MacDonnell Ranges become the backdrop for large-scale projections and installations, with talks, markets, live performances and programming that foregrounds First Nations storytelling. It’s equal parts awe and intimacy, made for anyone who loves art that belongs to the landscape.
10th to 19th April, 2026
Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
Desert Mob
If you time one art trip to the Red Centre this year, make it Desert Mob. Presented by Desart, it brings together artists and art centres across Central Australia in a way that feels both expansive and personal. There’s an exhibition, talks and events, plus a marketplace where you can buy ethically and directly. It’s a must for anyone wanting to understand contemporary desert art beyond the headline names.
10th September to 25th October 2026
Araluen Arts Centre precinct, Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
Darwin and the Top End
Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA)
A cornerstone of Australia’s art calendar, the Telstra NATSIAA is a powerful snapshot of First Nations practice across the country, presented at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory on Larrakia Country. Even if you miss Awards Night, the exhibition is the real draw: a chance to see leading artists and emerging voices side by side, across mediums, regions and styles.
Exhibition opens: 27th June 2026
Awards Night: 7th August 2026
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF)
DAAF is as meaningful as it is beautiful. It brings together Indigenous artists and art centres from across Australia, and it’s one of the best places to engage directly with artists and community-run organisations. Beyond the works themselves, you’ll find workshops, conversations, and an energy that feels like a cultural meeting point for the country.
6th to 9th August, 2026
Darwin (venue details released with the official program)
Country to Couture
Fashion meets culture in the most compelling way at Country to Couture. This runway event spotlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design and textiles, with collections that carry story, place and practice. If you love fashion that stands for something — colour, craft, meaning, momentum — put this on your August itinerary.
2nd to 3rd August, 2026
Darwin (venue details released with tickets)
Darwin Festival
Darwin Festival is the dry-season staple: theatre, music, comedy, dance, cabaret, big nights and easy ones, all threaded through Darwin’s outdoor social life. It’s the perfect reason to plan a winter escape, especially if you want your culture with warm nights, a light breeze, and the city fully switched on.
6th to 23rd August, 2026
Darwin (multiple venues)
Darwin International Laksa Festival
Yes, it’s food, but it’s also pure Darwin culture: a celebration of the city’s Southeast Asian communities and the way Darwin eats. The Darwin International Laksa Festival runs across October, with local venues serving signature bowls and plenty of friendly competition as locals and visitors vote their favourites. Go hungry, go often, and keep your schedule loose.
October 2026 (annual)
Darwin and surrounding participating venues
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Garma Festival
Garma is a privilege, not a casual festival stop. Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation in Arnhem Land, it’s a gathering grounded in Yolŋu culture, with art, ceremony, song, dance and dialogue. If it’s on your list, plan early, follow official guidance closely, and arrive with respect and curiosity.
31st July to 3rd August, 2026
Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
Tiwi Islands Football Grand Final (and cultural weekend)
On the Tiwi Islands, Grand Final weekend is about far more than the match. It’s community, pride, celebration, and a chance to experience the islands’ creative spirit in a way that feels deeply local. If you can make the journey, it’s one of the most unforgettable weekends on the Territory calendar.
Sunday, 19th July, 2026
Tiwi Islands (Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island)
Events to watch for 2026 date announcements
These favourites typically confirm closer to launch, but they’re worth building into your yearly update once dates land:
Darwin Street Art Festival (dates typically late May to June)
Darwin’s streets become an open-air gallery thanks to the Darwin Street Art Festival, with murals, workshops, talks and community events. Perfect for travellers who like their culture outdoors and walkable.
Taste of Kakadu (Saturday 23rd May, with more dates to come)
A food-led festival set within Kakadu National Park, celebrating native ingredients and Indigenous knowledge through experiences that centre Traditional Owners and Country.
Barunga Festival (dates typically June)
An important gathering near Katherine, with music, dance, art, sport and community at the centre. Keep your eye on the program release for Barunga, it’s often a standout experience in the NT.
Desert Festival (DesFest) (dates typically July)
Alice Springs’ multi-arts mood-setter: a program of music, theatre, dance, visual art and hands-on experiences that makes the Red Centre feel electric in winter. It’s proudly produced by Red Hot Arts and built to spotlight Central Australian artists and stories.
A few quick answers
When is the best time to visit the Northern Territory for festivals? March to October is the prime window, with major highlights in April (Parrtjima) and August (DAAF, NATSIAA, Darwin Festival).
Which events are best for art lovers? Parrtjima, Desert Mob, the Telstra NATSIAA exhibition, and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair.
Which events should I book early? Garma, August in Darwin, and any Alice Springs dates that coincide with major festival weeks.
In 2026, the Northern Territory continues to shine as one of Australia’s most captivating arts and culture hubs. Whether you’re exploring the brilliant visual arts at Parrtjima or immersing yourself in the rich traditions at the Garma Festival, every event throughout the year invites you to discover a new layer of this extraordinary region. Dive further into the beauty of Australia with our guide to these bucket list national parks in Western Australia, as well as these striking island escapes.
