The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets will launch its 2026 season this Thursday April 30 featuring a variety of new stalls and a massive fireworks display to mark the occasion, organisers said.

The markets will again operate every Thursday and Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm, featuring more than 150 food and specialty stalls. Attendees will also enjoy a variety of live entertainment, kicking off this week with Annie Gastin’s Hotel Red rocking the Soundshell.

This year’s markets are set to offer more food and fashion than in 2025, organisers said, with access to the venue improved with the addition of hundreds of extra parking spaces at the Botanic Gardens.

Sunset Market coordinator Ilana Eldridge said a food stall from Ethiopia would be Mindil’s first African-themed eatery this year, along with Bengal cuisine, Nepalese MuMu dumplings, and an Acai stall will also add new variety to the already vibrant food mix.

Each week, the Mindil Market features 66 food stalls, 40 permanent craft stalls, and around 30 casual fashion stalls. These stalls are run by approximately 200 families from Darwin, who primarily earn their livelihood at the market, providing employment for over 800 locals.

Each night, attendance at the markets ranges from 9,000 to 15,000, with organisers estimating that approximately 900,000 people attended last year.

“[The markets] contribute more than $25 million into the Darwin economy, providing solid seasonal support for a number of local industries including horticulture, agriculture, tourism, fashion and jewellery, the arts and music industries, to name a few,” Ms Eldridge said.

“This year promises to be challenging. Global events beyond our control will impact prices, cost of living and many people’s ability to travel.

“All our colleagues in the Tourism industries are anxiously watching how the season will unfold.

“So this year, we’re shouting out for the locals – in uncertain times, we get through by looking after each other.”