Australian pop star Guy Sebastian will perform on the opening weekend of Darwin Festival at the new location of Fort Hill Parklands at Darwin Waterfront, the organisers have said.

Festival artistic director Kate Fell said the festival would open on Thursday August 7, followed by two nights of music featuring a blend of national and international artists and local talent from the Territory.

She said Sebastian will play on the Friday night, with New Zealand band L.A.B. playing at the same venue on the Saturday night.

Ms Fell said the 2025 program includes eight world premieres, national sell-out acts, iconic Australian musicians, along with the largest Taste of Darwin program to date.

“This year, the extraordinary city of Darwin really takes centre stage. From breathtaking sunsets over the harbour to lush parks and iconic venues, Darwin Festival 2025 will shine across 50 locations,” Ms Fell said.

“We’re thrilled to deliver one of our most diverse and exciting programs yet – spanning art, film, music, comedy, cabaret, dance, food, and family fun across our biggest-ever footprint.

Other performers will Emma Donovan, who will debut Take Me To The River, honouring soul legends, Bogan Villea will present a guest-filled tribute to Australian rock anthems, and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra will showcase Heaven and Earth, inspired by a key ancestral figure from Northeast Arnhem Land.

The Warumungu Elders, with Dr Shellie Morris, will perform Singing For Our Little Ones as part of a language preservation project.

Ms Fell said Walkley-nominated film-maker Naina Sen will unveil Shundori, an exploration of contemporary South Asian identity, while Tracks Dance Company will tell local stories in their new show Antidote, alongside the cinematic journey Crown and Country.

Other highlights, Ms Fell said, include Circa’s reimagined circus version of Swan Lake, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s exploration of light in Illume, Opera Australia’s La Bohème, and the innovative Night Night, while in a Spiegeltent Strut & Fret will present the new circus show La Ronde.

The event will also feature a lineup of popular Australian and international artists and comedians, such as Sarah Blasko, Rhys Nicholson, and Anthony Callea, among others.

The Taste of Darwin program includes a city cocktail experience with two bar adventure options, a gloom and gourmet dinner in a moody setting, a comedy bus tour, and the Makan Club for a sensory culinary journey.

Ms Felll said the Family Fiesta in Palmerston offers free entertainment for all ages, including Latin-Aussie music and dance performances, while Festival Park in Smith St will be the central hub, with music, food, and festivities every evening except Mondays.

The festival runs from August 7 to 24.

Tickets for Friends of the Festival went on sale at 9am today, while general ticket sales will commence at 9am on Friday, June 6. For the full program visit the Darwin Festival website.