Darwin Festival bible

For those who haven’t experienced Australia’s only tropical cultural fun-fest, here’s your Cheapflights-approved rundown of the who, what, when, where and how of Darwin Festival.

Who…the nearly citywide event has plenty of free events and options for everybody who shows up, with access to the music, drama, comedy shows and other entertainment open to whoever has $20 bucks or more to buy the ticket. Their booking page offers a variety of package deals at discounted rates. The festival began in 1977 as “Bougainvillea Festival,” a gathering suggested by Northern Territory Director of Health Dr. Charles Gurd to celebrate Darwin’s revival after a particularly devastating Cyclone nearly destroyed the region. From there it has grown into one of the largest gatherings for art, cuisine and entertainment in Australia.

What…three weeks of dining, dance, cabaret, art exhibits, live comedy, theatre and music and ongoing street markets and entertainment play host to over 100,000 visitors each year. The guests come from around the world to enjoy a robust calendar of:

• Dance performances, featuring Beautiful Noise, Cry Jailolo and Tracks Dance

• Film ranging from the award-winning documentary Prison Songs to Love Stories to a rescreening of Little Shop of Horrors

• Comedy on stage including names like Dylan Moran, Poli-Gobble, The Axis of Awesome and Nazeem Hussain

• A whopping schedule of on-stage musical acts, including but not limited to Xavier Rudd & The United Nations, Vulgargrad, Madre Monte, Barry Brown’s Groovetown, and Mojo Juju

• Live theatre including performances of Dangerous Liasons, Dead Center/Sea Wall and The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk

• Range of food and drink options

Art life events at Darwin Festival include cabaret performances, playreadings and various high and street art exhibits spread throughout the festival grounds. The headline special events list starts opening night with Santos in concert, runs through a “lunch box series” of daytime special appearances, and closes with a final concert by australian line-up Big Country. Beyond these highlights, cornucopia of entertainment and cultural options at Darwin Fest is too rich and complicated to fully grok without a map. Fortunately, the organizers have provided an online planner/organizer to give you exactly the kind of map you need.

When…Darwin Festival happens every summer for three weeks of (almost) non-stop action. For 2015, the dates are Thursday, August 6^th through Sunday, August 23^rd.

Where…though the activity hubs of the festival are in Darwin’s  Festival Park, the entire city comes alive for the event. You’ll find official goings-on throughout the town, and even those businesses, not strictly on the participant list will be running some kind of Festival-related special (assuming they haven’t closed up to enjoy the party themselves). Those attending from inside the Northern Territories should drive in to Darwin via Highway 1 from the south, or 36 from the east. Coming in by air means landing at Darwin International Airport (DRW).

How…Getting there is just a cheap flight away, though lodgings are in short supply during the week of the festival. Take advantage of one of our package deals to get the best deal for your stay. Besides that standard-issue advice, here are some dos and don’ts from our local been-there-done-that about how to really milk Darwin Festival for all it’s worth.

• Do bring sunblock, a wide-brimmed hat, shades and water. It may be winter in Oz, but it’s still tropically hot and the crowds don’t help. Bonus points if you freeze half a bottle of water overnight, then top it off with liquid in the morning. Wrap that in a towel for cool water all day.

• Don’t forget the kids. Though many of the events at the Festival are more adult-oriented, the family-friendly options are thick and memorable, and most cost much less than the high-end grownup gigs anyway.

• Do if driving, park early, however we recommend to use public transport. The influx of visitors and roads closed for the event makes driving a nightmare, and nobody guarantees you’ll get your old spot back.

• Don’t forget your picnic blanket. You’ll want to rest and enjoy the street food or just to relax under the trees, there’s plenty of space to sit and do just that.

• Do budget an extra $100 or so for unexpected opportunities. Darwin Festival is so huge and varied. Come fully prepared to jump into new experiences with both feet.

• Don’t miss the festival because you have a disability. Darwin Festival is committed to accessible options, and goes above and beyond to welcome those with special needs. Check their access page here for some of the help you may need to enjoy the event.

• Do come midweek, in the middle of the festival (if you don’t have your heart set on a specific event that happens on a weekend). The crowds are largest at the beginning and end of the event (weekends).

• Don’t wait to book flights and hotel rooms. The Festival overruns Darwin, and options close out fast. If you are late off the starting block, look into last-minute booking discounts and cancellation fares to get the most action for the least money.

Darwin Festival has been running successfully for nearly 40 years, and for good reason. If you’re in the area, or have been looking for an excuse to visit the area, make your plans for this August. Not everybody gets the same thing from the Darwin Festival Experience, but nobody leaves disappointed.