Come and see the festivals and markets in Darwin
Darwin has two major seasons, the dry (April-October) and the wet. Now, I must say life in Darwin is dramatically different between the two seasons due to substantial differences in the amount of rainfall, humidity, and community activities for visitors.
The dry season, known affectionately as “The Dry,” is definitely the best time to visit Darwin. You’ll know it’s come as the beginning of the season is marked by the opening of the markets all around Darwin and surrounds.
The Markets:
The most famous of the lot are the Mindil Beach Sunset markets. As the name suggests, the evening-time markets are an incredible way to watch the sunset on Thursdays and Sundays. Stalls filled with clothes, gadgets, and more are lost amongst those offering yummy and quick eats. When it comes to food, the Mindil Beach markets offer the widest range of options from Indian, Malaysian, Japanese, and of course Australian. There’s something for everyone and plenty of room to sit either on the grassy areas or right on the beach to watch the sun go down.
The Parap, Nightcliff, and Rapid Creek markets are slightly further out of Darwin city, but definitely still worth visiting. On Saturday mornings at Parap and Sunday mornings in Nightcliff, the traveling market sellers spend the day delighting market goers usually until around 2pm. Although smaller in scale than the Mindil Beach market, there is a range of oriental cuisine available and a good selection of clothing and small goods stalls.
The markets run each week, but every so often Darwin gets to host larger events and festivals. Try to time your trip with one of the festivals!
The Taste Festival
The Taste Festival, which usually runs in April, is the the Top End’s way of pleasing the foodies. Restaurants all around Darwin are highlighted in the Territory Taste publication and are included in tasting packages and deals.
Fringe Festival
Darwin hosted the quirky Fringe Festival this year in early July which put on theater, art and comedy shows, pop-up galleries, live music, and more at venues around Darwin. While most are ticketed, some events are free for both Darwin residents and visitors to enjoy. Some of the local favourites include the many theatre shows and music events.
The Darwin Festival
This year, the Darwin Festival will be held on 10-27 August, good timing as the still-dry weather will be irresistible for visitors. This festival focuses on celebrating the traditional landowners and the multicultural identity of the Northern Territory. Over the 18-day festival Darwin hosts a multitude of free and ticketed events around the city. Whether you enjoy art or music or simply love to learn, listening to traditional stories and enjoying the cultural events are sure to please!
The Darwin Cup Carnival
Love the races? The Darwin Cup Carnival in July and August is a favourite piece of the fun of The Dry! Try to catch Ladies’ day or one of the many other special days at the Darwin Turf Club.
As you can see, the dry season is an exciting time to visit Darwin. And, while the markets and festivals keep you busy in town, the water-holes and swimming areas in the nearby national parks are finally open for swimming when the dry season arrives. So, inside or outside the city, the dry season is surely the best time to plan a trip!
Written by Luray Joy. Republished with permission of MyDiscoveries.