Darwin Festival 2021 is a fabulous festival wonderland of music, theatre, and art. Based in one of the best locations for an Aussie winter holiday, the tropical heat is a balm against any winter chill, and mesmerising performances are lighting up the night. Live shows for all tastes and ages make up Darwin Festival, and here are just some of our favourites.
National Indigenous Music Awards
When: Saturday 7th August, 7pm
Where: Darwin Amphitheatre
Price: $40 ($33 concession), free entry for children under 12
Australia’s biggest First Nations music gala and gathering returns to the Darwin Amphitheatre. The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) features performances from Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Dallas Woods and Kee’ahn, Alice Sky, and plenty more. Celebrating the Australian artists of today, and peeking into what Australian art will look like in the future.
Flight Facilities
When: Friday 13th August, 7pm
Where: Darwin Amphitheatre
Price: $79 ($75 concession)
Iconic Australian band Flight Facilities have been performing hits like ‘Crave You’, ‘Clair de Lune’, and ‘Lights Up’ since their founding back in 2008 in Sydney. Support performances from Confidence man and Brisbane’s Sycco start the show, with Flight Facilities eccentric, dynamic, vibrant sound carrying you into the night.
Jurrungu Ngan-ga
When: Friday 13th August, 8pm and Saturday 14th August, 5pm.
Where: The Playhouse, Darwin Entertainment Centre
Price: $49 ($45 concession)
Performed by Marrugeku, an intercultural performance group, Jurrungu Ngan-ga, addresses incarceration in Australia with powerful and provocative dance. The title literally translates to ‘straight talk,’ and the piece tears down walls and builds bridges for an honest conversation. Glowing reviews indicate that this performance is not one to miss.
The Hypotheticals
When: Tuesday the 10th and Wednesday the 11th August, 5:45pm both days
Where: Happy Yess
Price: $32 ($28 concession)
Two friends in their mid- 30s—a single woman and a partnered gay man—are deciding if they should have a baby together, but not together. She reckons with being the daughter of immigrants, living on unceded land. He realises that he was told he could do whatever he wanted, but he hasn’t really done much. Written and performed by Jeffrey Jay Fowler and Sarah Reuben, The Hypotheticals is a personal story of contemplation and reflection that resonates with audiences of all ages.
I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You
When: Friday 6th August, 7pm and Saturday 7th August, 2pm
Where: Studio Theatre, Darwin Entertainment Centre
Price: $42 for adults ($38 concession) and $20 for under 18s
With I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You, Generation Up Next transforms a stage into a playground for a riotous theatrical performance full of questions asked by the young and the old, anonymously submitted. “Why do you have to go to work?” “How come adults drink to have fun?” “Is 50 too old to learn to surf?” “What was life like before the internet?” Nine 13-year-olds from Darwin’s Corrugated Iron Youth Arts take to the stage, building on three key pillars— what you’ve been told, what you know to be true, and what you want to believe. Audiences of all ages will come together to ask and answer the questions life throws at us.
Montaigne
Australian musician, Montaigne is the voice of new generation. Multiple spots on triple j’s Hottest 100, an ARIA for Best Breakthrough Artist, winning Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020, and appearing in Eurovision 2021 make her one of the most celebrated young artists in Australia. Expect enchanting melodies, inspiring lyrics, and an energetic live performance as Montaigne takes to the Top End.
When: Friday 13th August, 9pm
Where: INPEX Sunset Stage, Festival Park
Price: $42 ($38 concession)
Zoë Coombs Marr
When: Sunday 15th August, 7pm
Where: INPEX Sunset Stage, Festival Park
Price: $38 ($34 concession)
Zoë Coombs Marr brings her unique comedic style to Darwin Festival with her latest stand-up show. Celebrating all things weird, the absurdist set subverts expectations and tradition, delivering smart and observant comedy with a unique perspective.
Rainbow Chan
When: Sunday 15th August, 8:45pm
Where: INPEX Sunset Stage, Festival Park
Price: $25
A multi-disciplinary artist with a unique take, Rainbow Chan blends catchy melodies, off-kilter beats, and moving lyrics in her music. Tender, electro-pop that reflects her diasporic experience as well as her personal stories of love and loss weave through the space in an innovative musical performance.
FAQ
What are the Darwin Festival 2021 dates?
Darwin Festival 2021 runs from the 5th of August to the 22nd of August.
Over the next two years, Darwin Festival will run from the 4th to the 21st of August in 2022 and from the 10th to the 27th of August in 2023.
Where can I see the full Darwin Festival 2021 program?
The complete list of Darwin Festival 2021 events can be found on their official website.
How do I buy Darwin Festival tickets?
You can purchase tickets for each event on that event’s page, via the Darwin Festival 2021 website.
Where is the Darwin Festival?
The events of Darwin Festival take place at various venues throughout Darwin, though many take place at Festival Park, the Darwin Entertainment Centre, and the Darwin Amphitheatre.
What’s on Beyond Darwin Festival
If you’re visiting Darwin for the Darwin Festival and you want to see if the Top End has more to see, you’re in luck! Darwin is home to some phenomenal once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like the magnetic termite mounds and Crocosaurus Cove. And if you’re exploring beyond the city, there are fantastic wonders of the Northern Territory that will make the often overlooked state one of your favourite places to visit.
Find the Perfect Accommodation for your Trip
After enjoying an evening of live music, theatre, and art, you’ll want a comfortable bed to slide into at the end of the day. Book yourself some Darwin accommodation in a Darwin hotel. Whether you want to keep things simple and budget-friendly or if you’re looking to indulge in a tropical getaway, Accor can help make your Darwin holiday the best it can be.
