Exciting new events locked in alongside firm favourites
Territorians and tourists will enjoy a vibrant and jam packed events calendar again in 2023, providing a massive boost to the Territory economy.
Thirty-nine events will receive $2.4 million through the Northern Territory Government’s Event Funding Program (EFP), administered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC). Categories of funding include community, event development, mass participation and major event.
Twenty-five of the events were granted multi-year deals, providing organisers the ability to better plan for the future.
Exciting new funded events include the Big Name, No Blankets NT Community Tour – a travelling rock-and-roll theatre show. The event celebrates the iconic Warumpi Band’s inspiring journey from the remote NT community of Papunya to international fame. It showcases the Luritja, Gumatj and Warlpiri languages, as well as culture and dance from Central Australia and the stunning landscapes of North East Arnhem Land.
Also receiving support through the latest round is the Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Rhythm of the 90s’ concert, which will take place at the Darwin Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre on Saturday, 24 June at 6.30pm. Darwin Symphony Orchestra and an incredible front band of local musicians will bring back the much-loved Amphitheatre spectacular with new symphonic arrangements of the best 90s music, including hits from Natalie Imbruglia, Tina Arena, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Coolio and Metallica.
Darwin Symphony Orchestra General Manager Kate Stephens said the team was delighted to receive support through the Event Funding Program forthe Amphitheatre concerts over the next three years, starting with our Rhythm of the 90s show.
“This funding allows us to continue bringing this much-loved event to life, and further enhance the audience experience for Territorians and visitors alike,” she said.
Fan favourite events such as Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta, Katherine Junk Festival, Alice Springs Beanie Festival, Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series and Barunga have again received funding and will draw in thousands of locals and tourists across the high and low seasons. All 39 events that received funding as part of the latest round can be found below.
Amphitheatre Concert 2023, 2024 & 2025
Archie100 Public Program 2023
Barkly Artists Music Festival (BAMFest) 2023, 2024 & 2025
Big Day Out in Harmony 2023, 2024 & 2025
Big Name, No Blankets NT Community Tour 2023
City of Darwin Dragon Boat Festival 2023
Daminmin Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta 2023
Darwin Pride Festival 2023
Freds Pass Rural Show 2023
HALA BIRA 2023, 2024 & 2025
Junk Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Kakadu Community Family Christmas Event 2023
Kindness Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Red Dirt Poetry Festival 2024 & 2026
Strong Feelings 2023
SUGARBAG’ 2023
Thailand Grand Festival 2023
Travelling Film Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Walking with Spirits 2023
Yugul Mangi Festibul 2023 & 2024
Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series 2023, 2024 & 2025
Desert Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Desert Song Festival 2023
NT Writers Festival 2023
Barunga Festival 2023 & 2024
Blacken 2023, 2024 & 2025
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) 2023, 2024 & 2025
Desert Mob 2023
Garma Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
Garrmalang Festival 2023
National Indigenous Music Awards 2023, 2024 & 2025
West Macs Monster Trail Running Festival 2023, 2024 & 2025
2023 Hockey Australia Under 15 Championship
NT 4 day Trap Championships 2023
The Redback (18-21 Aug) and Run Larapinta Stage Race (24-27 Aug) 2023
Darwin International Jazz and Arts Festival
Events are an important contributor to the Territory economy, with independent research showing just 22 supported events that took place in 2021-2022 delivered a gross expenditure stimulus of $39.8 million to the Territory, plus a whopping 110,194 visitor nights.
Events included the Darwin Fringe, Chariots of Thunder, Katherine Ultra, Alice Springs Beanie Festival and Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta. In total, NTMEC supported around 70 events during this time.
Designed to strengthen the Territory’s events sector, the EFP has created significant benefits for the Territory by boosting the quality and frequency of festivals and events, increasing visitor numbers and upskilling the local industry. To find out when the next EFP round opens, sign up for ‘Industry Updates’ via www.ntmajorevents.com.au/sign-up.