Exciting additions to the Territory events calendar

The Territory’s events calendar is set to grow with exciting new events and firm favourites supported through our Event Funding Program (EFP). A total of 31 events have received support, including eight Aboriginal Cultural Events, seven Sport Events and 16 Cultural Events.

Six events are new to the EFP, including The Dry Comedy Festival, Top End Gin Festival and Tekken 8 Philippines V Australia Invitational. Favourites already enjoyed by Territorians and visitors include fabALICE Festival, Wide Open Space Festival and Top End Gran Fondo.

The Tekken 8 Philippines V Australia Invitational will be delivered by The Array. CEO Dylan Bennett said it is a first for Australia.
“The Tekken 8 event is more than a game; it’s a celebration of cultural unity, technological innovation, and the boundless spirit of competition,” he said. “We’re proud to bring this landmark event to Darwin, showcasing the Northern Territory as a burgeoning hub for esports and digital creativity.

“Beyond the excitement and competition, this event serves as a platform for educational and upskilling opportunities. It’s an invitation to the youth and creative enthusiasts to engage with technology and digital arts, opening doors to future careers in these dynamic fields.”

The Dry Comedy Festival will take place at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre. CEO Eric Holowacz said the annual event will activate the town’s new amphitheatre and feature some of Australia and the Territory’s most beloved comedians.

“As we build Australia’s newest amphitheatre in Katherine, we are very excited to have the support of the NT Major Events Company,” he said. “It will allow our organisation to develop a major new annual comedy festival for our community and visitors—and activate our new outdoor stage with laughter.”

The EFP helps to grow and develop the Territory events industry by increasing the quality and frequency of events, attracting interstate visitors, and upskilling the local workforce. The next round opens on 9 February. For more information, sign up for ‘Industry Updates’ here.

The successful recipients in the most recent round were:
Blokes Big Day Out
Bush Bands Program
City2Surf
Darwin Fringe Festival
Darwin International Film Festival
Darwin Pride
Deadly Cup Rugby League Carnival
Desert Mob
Desert Song Festival
fabALICE Festival
Flickerfest NT Tour
Freds Pass Rural Show
Henley-on-Todd Regatta
Hockey Australia U/18 Championships
Masters Swimming Australian National Championships
Northern Territory PGA
NT State DTL 4-Day Championships
NT Writers Festival
Numburindi Festival
Stone Country Festival
Tekken 8 Philippines V Australia Invitational
Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAAs)
Thailand Grand Festival
The Dry Comedy Festival
Top End Gin Festival
Top End Gran Fondo
Twenty to the Mile Film Screening
Uluru Festival
Wide Open Space Festival
World Table Tennis Youth Contender
Yirriwinari Festival