Darwin Festival has launched its full program for 2024, stretching over 18 evenings from August 8 to 25, with awe-inspiring entertainment, art and fun.

This year’s festival offers an unmatched mix of world premieres, national sell-out shows, iconic Australian musicians, award-winning art, popular comedians, and plenty of family fun in its 45th year.

A rock ‘n’ roll “theatre extravaganza” that sold out across the country, Big Name, No Blankets, will make its Darwin Festival debut, as well many other popular shows.

“We are thrilled to present six world premieres, some uniquely Territorian performances, as well as some of the most popular shows from across Australia, including Missy Higgins’s The Second Act Tour 2024, Tom Gleeson’s stand-up show Gear, The Spiegeltent’s new show The Party, the critically acclaimed play Fourteen, and family-friendly smash hit Cirque Bon Bon,” Darwin Festival Artistic Director Kate Fell said.

World premieres include Song Spirals by Rosealee Pearson; Tracks Dance’s mesmerising Cloud Split; POD, a magical and interactive adventure; and Vital Forces, a new musical work commemorating the 50th anniversary of the devastating Cyclone Tracy performed by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, along with the hugely popular outdoor Festival Park that comes to life every evening of the festival.

This year will see the first-ever extension of Festival fun to Palmerston, as well as brand new food and drink tours and experiences, and the new immersive experiences by Darkfield – Flight and Séance.

Crowd favourites including Merrick Watts will return from last year’s hit show with An Idiot’s Guide to Wine: Volume 2; Club AWI which will keep the late-night beats going; and the Festival’s longest-running event, the free City of Darwin Teddy Bears Picnic, to keep kids of all ages happy.

This year’s full program can be viewed at www.darwinfestival.org.au, starting on Wednesday May 29, with tickets for Friends of the Festival going on sale the same day. The public can purchase tickets starting May 31.

The Darwin Ski Club will again host the closing weekend, this year featuring concerts from The Cat Empire, Kate Miller-Heidke and Marlon Williams.