Exciting new events for the Territory

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