DARWIN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES A LANDMARK YEAR AS KATE FELL PREPARES FOR HER FINAL SEASON AND SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEXT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Darwin Festival today announced that 2026 will mark the final festival curated by Artistic Director Kate Fell, following a four year tenure that has helped shape one of the most ambitious, inclusive and city shaping periods in the Festival’s history.
Since her appointment, Fell has led Darwin Festival through a period of significant creative growth, delivering bold multi artform programs, expanding the Festival’s footprint across the city, and strengthening Darwin Festival’s reputation as Australia’s hottest winter arts festival and a key driver of cultural tourism to the Northern Territory.
The 2026 Festival will be both a celebration of this legacy and a statement of intent for what comes next, bringing together world premieres, nationally acclaimed artists, Territory voices and place responsive work that reflects Darwin’s unique character, climate and cultural connections. Under Fell’s leadership, the Festival has continued to evolve as a must travel event on Australia’s cultural calendar, attracting interstate visitors, supporting local artists and contributing strongly to the NT visitor economy by attracting interstate audiences during the Territory’s peak tourism season.
“It’s been a privilege to curate Darwin Festival during such a dynamic time for the city,” said Kate Fell. “This final Festival is about celebrating the extraordinary creativity of the Top End, the artists and communities who make this place so special, and the audiences who return year after year to experience Darwin at its best.”
Alongside the announcement of Fell’s final Festival, Darwin Festival has confirmed it will shortly commence a planned national search for a new Artistic Director, led by REA arts + culture, ensuring continuity of creative leadership and long-term planning into the Festival’s next chapter.
The Artistic Director is the Festival’s chief creative leader, responsible for setting the artistic vision, curating a bold and inclusive multi artform program, and evolving the Festival’s direction in alignment with local culture, strategic priorities and the Northern Territory’s visitor economy objectives. The role plays a pivotal part in shaping how Darwin is experienced by audiences from across Australia and beyond.
The incoming Artistic Director will also help lead Darwin Festival toward a major milestone, the Festival’s 50th anniversary in three years’ time, and contribute to conversations about what comes next for Darwin and the Northern Territory as a creative, cultural and tourism destination. With its deep regional connections and growing national profile, Darwin Festival continues to play a key role in showcasing the Territory’s stories, talent and sense of place on a national stage.
Darwin Festival CEO James Gough said the timing reflects both continuity and confidence in the Festival’s future.
“Kate leaves an incredible legacy, one defined by ambition, collaboration and a strong connection to place,” he said. “As we look forward to celebrating Darwin Festival 2026, we’re also looking ahead with optimism to the next creative leader who will help shape Darwin Festival’s future, including our 50th year and beyond.”
Darwin Festival 2026 will take place in August, once again transforming the city into a vibrant celebration of arts, culture and community, inviting audiences to experience Darwin at its most creative, welcoming and alive.
Media Enquiries:
Andrea Kerekes andrea@accesspr.com.au
0418 427 412
Artistic Director Search Enquiries:
Visit reaartsandculture.com
