Darwin Festival Reveals Huge 40th Anniversary Program

Australia’s hottest (literally and figuratively) winter event, Darwin Festival, is set to return in 2019 and today has revealed its massive 40th anniversary program.

Taking over Darwin this 8 to 25 August, the packed program includes cabaret, theatre, comedy, dance, visual arts, music and good ol' family fun.

Highlights on the music front include Yothu Yindi, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Archie Roach, The Goon Sax, No Mono, Kaiit, Emily Wurramara and a whole lot more.

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) will also be held as part of the festival on 10 August with performances from Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, Electric Fields, Deborah Cheetham, Eric Avery and more.

Darwin Festival Artistic Director Felix Preval said the team had "pulled together a wonderfully diverse program, jam-packed with eclectic and electric events".

"There will be mass celebrations of community and resilience and award-winning comedians providing laugh-a-minute commentary. We’ll also see timely pieces of work examining the experience of First Nations peoples, and late-night parties designed to get you dancing," he shared. 

"This year’s Darwin Festival program offers the opportunity for us to come together and discover something new and unique across 18 tropical days and nights.

“40 years since our origin as the Bougainvillea Festival is a huge milestone, so we’re promising Darwin one hell of a party! Our festival program features 114 events, 596 artists and counting, 287 currently of whom are NT locals, and is spread across 33 venues. So whether you’re a local looking for some dry season fun, or an out-of-towner seeking an escape from the winter chills, we’re looking forward to hosting you for the momentous 2019 Darwin Festival.”

There's a lot to digest so follow the link here for a look at the full program.