The Spiegeltent will return to the Darwin Festival after four years, while the Maho Magic bar, combining magic with cocktails, will be making its debut, the festival director has said in the first announcement about the 2023 lineup.

In a statement announcing director Kate Fell said there would be music, theatre, comedy, dance, cabaret, and visual arts at the newly expanded festival precinct which have its traditional space at Civic Park but will also take in the new lawns in front of Parliament House.

She said the Spiegeltent would host the cabaret show Blanc de Blanc Encore, featuring a new international cast which performed in three sell-out seasons in Sydney, and is described as vintage French flair, spectacular aerials, and sparkling comedy.

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The Maho Magic bar will bring a neon-lit Tokyo night to the festival lawns, Ms Fell said, featuring close-up magic and captivating performances, in a part show, part bar experience.

“With the much-anticipated return of the Spiegeltent after four years, and the addition of the amazing Maho Magic Bar, we are sure this year’s festival will deliver an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors alike,” she said.

The Darwin Festival will run from August 10 to 27 with the full program to be announced at the end of May, which Ms Fell said would include free music gigs.