Celebrate spring in the Territory Events & festivals not to miss

Territorians love a good festival no matter the time of the year. If there’s something to celebrate, you can be sure there’s an event celebrating the Territory’s diverse culture and people, its quirky characters, magical landscapes, wildlife and seasonal changes. The Territory really is like nowhere else in Australia.

Red CentreNATS

One for the rev heads and car buffs, Red CentreNATS lures motoring enthusiasts from around the country to the Red Centre. An action-packed family-friendly program showcases top-of-the-range street machines, hot rods, classic cars along with elite or exotic show cars which rarely leave the sanctuary of owners’ garages.

Dates: 30 August - 2 September

Desert Mob

Desert Mob is an annual celebration of desert culture in Alice Springs. The weeks-long festival was established in 1991 by the Araluen Arts Centre and is one of the longest running Aboriginal art events in Australia. Desert Mob brings together hundreds of artists, with 35 art centres featured during the 2024 event.

Opening night kicks off a celebration of exhibitions, symposium, an art marketplace along with workshops, musical and cultural performances at venues across Alice Springs.

Dates: 5 September – 20 October

Darwin International Film Festival

Darwin International Film Festival is Darwin’s premiere annual celebration for film buffs. Over ten nights, Darwin’s iconic outdoor Deckchair Cinema is the spectacular host venue for an eclectic curation of films. The festival program features an international line up of international and Australian feature films, short films and documentaries.

Dates: 12 – 22 September

Desert Song Festival

Held over six days encompassing more than 20 events, Desert Song Festival utilises the stunning backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs. The festival attracts musicians, vocalists and performers from Central Australia through major concerts, workshops, masterclasses, choirs and small vocal ensembles.

Dates: 17 - 22 September

Kakadu Bird Week

Kakadu National Park provides habitat to more than one third of Australia’s bird species. Kakadu Bird Week provides opportunity to discover and learn about the unique species of birds within the World Heritage-listed park. Bird Week is timed to coincide with the mass migration of magpie geese which are attracted to billabongs such as Yellow Water to feed. As the waters recede towards the end of spring (dry season), it’s the best time to view abundant birdlife along with the park’s other wildlife such as crocodiles, brumbies, wallabies and buffalo.

Dates: 25 - 29 September

Desert Festival

Held in Alice Springs over the last weekend in September, Desert Festival is a multi- disciplinary arts festival celebrating Central Australian artists from diverse backgrounds across multiple art forms. The three day-long festival program includes a diverse program of events offering an immersive experience for the mind, ears, eyes, body and soul. Expect art installations, theatre, music and dance performances along with an art market featuring local artists.

Dates: 27 – 29 September

Darwin International Laksa Festival

Darwinians love for laksa has the city’s multi-cultural community (and an abundance of fresh locally sourced produce) to thank for the spicy, aromatic noodle soup which is an absolute ‘must try’ when in Darwin. The annual Darwin International Laksa Festival celebrates the Asian dish, with top gong Golden Bowl award hotly contested amongst kitchens. Hall of Fame Champions, known as Lakstars, include Chow at Darwin Waterfront, KOPI Stop in the city and Choks Place in the Darwin Galleria Centre on Smith St Mall. Mary’s Laksa at Parap Markets is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike and is well worth joining the queue that builds each Saturday morning.

Dates: 1 - 31 October

Gunbalanya Stone Country Festival

Travel through Kakadu National Park via Cahills Crossing to reach Gunbalanya in West Arnhem Land for a cultural experience you won’t find anywhere else (permit is required from Northern Land Council prior to travelling to Arnhem Land). Stone Country Festival is a community run celebration of Bininj and West Arnhem Land culture through dance, art, sport and music. Festival events take place in a small community with a scenic backdrop of a billabong and Injalak Hill. Don’t miss a visit to Injalak Arts Centre where art is so much more than a product to take home, it’s a story and a connection to Country bridging the past and future.

Date: 5 October

Million Dollar Fish

Ever dreamed of catching the 'big one'? Yeah, haven't we all! Barra fishing is big business in the Territory. Landing a tagged fish could land you one million dollars in the Million Dollar Fish competition.

The Million Dollar Fish competition runs most of the year (though the longevity of the competition depends when the major prize - a tagged barramundi worth $1million - is actually caught). Subscribe to updates on the link to keep updated on all Million Dollar Fish competition news.

Date: Year-round