PUBLIC PROGRAM 2026
Celebrating 20 Years!
Coming to DAAF this August? Immerse in a vibrant Public Program celebrating strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and Cultures.
Here is your day to day guide of what's on at DAAF 2026.
6-9 August 2026 | Darwin Convention Centre, Larrakia Country
Art Collector's DAAF 2026 Special Edition, featuring the amazing cover art by Solomon Booth from Moa Arts.
Thursday 6 August
Friday 7 August
Saturday 8 August
Sunday 9 August
DAAF's Public Program is Supported by:
THURSDAY
6 AUGUST 2026
20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Opening Ceremony
Celebrate strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures alongside the participating Art Centres, artists, and community of DAAF Foundation supporters.
This special night, sees the official launch of the Fair's 20th iteration, with a Welcome to Country from one of Larrakia Nation's Traditional Owners.
Enjoy cultural performances from: Dancers from Munupi Arts & Crafts Association, and Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, the Kerkar Kus Dance Team from Erub Island, Torres Strait, and the Peppimenarti Dancers, including clan groups of Lirrga (yellow) and Wanda (red) clans.
Grab a ticket for an exclusive look at the Fair before it officially opens on the Friday morning!
WHEN: 5:00pm to 8:30pm, Thursday evening, 6 August 2026
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre
ENTRY: Ticketed
Thursday 6 August
Friday 7 August
Saturday 8 August
Sunday 9 August
FRIDAY
7 AUGUST 2025
20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair - Day 1
- Accessibility Hour: 9am-10am
- Open: 10am - 4pm
- Location: Darwin Convention Centre
ARTIST MASTERCLASSES
Learn from incredible artists, and be guided and inspired as they share their stories and knowledge of both ancient and contemporary techniques—then take home your own piece from the Fair!
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Outside Meeting Place)
ENTRY: Ticketed. All Masterclasses are $120 per person. All materials are supplied.
WHEN: Daily, 7-9 August, Masterclass duration is 2-3 hrs.
Artist Masterclass
Gunbalanya Women's Weaving Masterclass with Injalak Arts
9:30am - 12:00pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Ghost Net Masterclass with Lavinia Ketchell, Erub Arts
9:30am - 12:00pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Soft Sculpture Masterclass with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists
1:30pm - 3:30pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Horn Shell Body Adornment Masterclass with Umi Arts
1:30pm - 4:00pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
Gather round the sandpit for daily cultural performances, as dance groups from across the country share their traditions.
Cultural Performance
Kerkar Kus Dance Team from Erub Island, Torres Strait
11:00am - 11:30am, Friday 7 August
Location: DAAF Sandpit
FREE!
Cultural Performance
Dancers from Munupi Arts & Crafts Association, and Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association
1:00pm - 1:30pm, Friday 7 August
Location: DAAF Sandpit
FREE!
TALKS & DEMONSTRATIONS
Drop by for a yarn!
Talks
Renewing Rock Art on Country
with Injalak Arts
10:30am - 12:00pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Meeting Room 2
FREE!
Learn More
In remote areas of Arnhem Land in Australia, rock art painting is not only an ancient practice but a crucial aspect of everyday life. Contemporary artists and Traditional Owners work together to renew and create new rock art.
Rock art paintings are an enduring archive that stretches back thousands of years, but without the proper maintenance provided by a living culture of rock art painting they are in danger of fading into oblivion. Climate change is exacerbating the rate of deterioration of many rock art galleries as weather patterns become more extreme.
This artist talk accompanies three short documentary films that followed Traditional Owners, Djungkayi and artists and as they renewed rock art on their homelands, in three different locations.
For Bininj people in western Arnhem Land, rock art is a technology that enables Ancestors to communicate across time, as well as being a source of inspiration for contemporary art, a way of educating young ones, learning what foods are available nearby and many other things. Come to this talk and learn directly from contemporary rock art practitioners, and find out more about their work and Injalak Arts.
Demonstration
Bush Balm with Purple House
3:15pm - 4:00pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
FREE!
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Fun and learning for all ages. Dive into activities to learn about different styles of art practice from across the country, alongside dedicated workshops from our Art Centres!
*Just a reminder that this is a parent-supervised activity, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Thanks for understanding!
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Outside Meeting Place)
ENTRY: Free (daily registration required)
WHEN: 7-9 August
Children's Activities
Workshop with Manuel Pamkal
Session 1: 10:30am - 12:00pm, Friday 7 August
Session 2: 1:00pm - 2:30pm, Friday 7 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
FREE!
Thursday 6 August
Friday 7 August
Saturday 8 August
Sunday 9 August
SATURDAY
8 AUGUST 2026
20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair - Day 2
- Accessibility Hour: 9am-10am
- Open: 10am - 5pm
- Location: Darwin Convention Centre
ARTIST MASTERCLASSES
Learn from incredible artists, and be guided and inspired as they share their stories and knowledge of both ancient and contemporary techniques—then take home your own piece from the Fair!
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Outside Meeting Place)
ENTRY: Ticketed. All Masterclasses are $120 per person. All materials are supplied.
WHEN: Daily, 7-9 August, Masterclass duration is 2-3 hrs.
Artist Masterclass
Hand Block Printing Masterclass with Nagula Jarndu
9:30am - 12:00pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Weaving Circle Masterclass with Numbulwar Numburindi Arts
9:30am - 12:00pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Clay Stories Masterclass with Hermannsburg Potters
1:30pm - 4:00pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Watercolour Painting Masterclass with Iltja Ntjarra
1:30pm - 4:00pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
Gather round the sandpit for daily cultural performances, as dance groups from across the country share their traditions.
Cultural Performance
Manuel Pamkal
11:00am - 11:30am, Saturday 8 August
Location: DAAF Sandpit
FREE!
Cultural Performance
Peppimenarti Dancers
1:00pm - 1:30pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: DAAF Sandpit
FREE!
DEMONSTRATIONS
Demonstration
With Chapman Bailey
3:30pm - 4:30pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
FREE!
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Fun and learning for all ages. Dive into activities to learn about different styles of art practice from across the country, alongside dedicated workshops from our Art Centres!
*Just a reminder that this is a parent-supervised activity, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Thanks for understanding!
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Outside Meeting Place)
ENTRY: Free (daily registration required)
WHEN: 7-9 August
Children's Activities
Workshop with Erub Arts
Session 1: 10:30am - 12:00pm, Saturday 8 August
Session 2: 1:00pm - 2:30pm, Saturday 8 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
FREE!
Thursday 6 August
Friday 7 August
Saturday 8 August
Sunday 9 August
SUNDAY
9 AUGUST 2026
20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair - Day 3
- Accessibility Hour: 9am-10am
- Open: 10am - 4pm
- Location: Darwin Convention Centre
ARTIST MASTERCLASSES
Learn from incredible artists, and be guided and inspired as they share their stories and knowledge of both ancient and contemporary techniques—then take home your own piece from the Fair!
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Outside Meeting Place)
ENTRY: Ticketed. All Masterclasses are $120 per person. All materials are supplied.
WHEN: Daily, 7-9 August, Masterclass duration is 2-3 hrs.
Artist Masterclass
Doll Shell (Dadikwakwa-kwa) with Anindilyakwa Arts
9:30am - 12:00pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Weaving Masterclass with Regina Pilawuk Wilson, Durrmu Arts
9:30am - 12:00pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Boab Masterclass with Waringarri Arts
1:30pm - 4:00pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
Artist Masterclass
Ghost Net Weaving Masterclass with Jimmy John Thaiday, Erub Arts
1:30pm - 4:00pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
Ticketed
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
Gather round the sandpit for daily cultural performances, as dance groups from across the country share their traditions.
Cultural Performance
Kerkar Kus Dance Team from Erub Island
11:00am - 11:30am, Sunday 9 August
Location: DAAF Sandpit
FREE!
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Fun and learning for all ages. Dive into activities to learn about different styles of art practice from across the country, alongside dedicated workshops from our Art Centres!
*Just a reminder that this is a parent-supervised activity, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Thanks for understanding!
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Outside Meeting Place)
ENTRY: Free (daily registration required)
WHEN: 7-9 August
Children's Activities
Painting Workshop with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation
Session 1: 10:30am - 12:00pm, Sunday 9 August
Session 2: 1:00am - 2:30pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: Outside Meeting Place
FREE!
TALKS
Drop by for a yarn!
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion with Coloured Stone
12:00pm - 1:00pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: Darwin Convention Centre
FREE!
Learn More
Panel Discussion with Coloured Stone
Join Bunna Lawrie and multi-instrumentalist Jason Lee Scott for a conversation on music, culture and legacy across generations. As founder of Coloured Stone, Bunna has shaped the landscape of First Nations music in Australia, while Jason continues that legacy as an acclaimed Indigenous artist and mentor for emerging Aboriginal musicians. Together they share stories of cultural identity, activism, touring life and the enduring power of song.
CLOSING CEREMONY
Performance | Coloured Stone
To mark the close of the monumental 20th DAAF, celebrate the strength of First Nations arts and cultures with the legendary Coloured Stone band!
Led by revered Mirning Elder, Whale Dreamer and Songman Bunna Lawrie, Coloured Stone has spent nearly five decades sharing powerful stories of Country, culture and resilience through music. Joined by acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Jason Lee Scott, the band blends reggae, rock and funk with traditional Indigenous sounds, creating unforgettable performances grounded in culture, language and spirit. Featuring iconic songs including Black Boy and Dancing in the Moonlight, Coloured Stone remains one of Australia’s most influential First Nations bands.
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre (Sandpit)
ENTRY: Free
WHEN: 3:30pm - 3:50pm, Sunday 9 August
Closing Ceremony Performance
Coloured Stone
3:30pm - 3:50pm, Sunday 9 August
Location: DAAF Sandpit
FREE!
Learn More
To mark the close of the monumental 20th DAAF, celebrate the strength of First Nations arts and cultures with the legendary Coloured Stone band!
Led by revered Mirning Elder, Whale Dreamer and Songman Bunna Lawrie, Coloured Stone has spent nearly five decades sharing powerful stories of Country, culture and resilience through music. Joined by acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Jason Lee Scott, the band blends reggae, rock and funk with traditional Indigenous sounds, creating unforgettable performances grounded in culture, language and spirit. Featuring iconic songs including Black Boy and Dancing in the Moonlight, Coloured Stone remains one of Australia’s most influential First Nations bands.
Jason Lee Scott and Bunna Lawrie of Coloured Stone, Photo by Nicole Cleary.
Thursday 6 August
Friday 7 August
Saturday 8 August
Sunday 9 August
FREE - EVERY DAY!
7-9 AUGUST 2026
UNTOLD Darwin 2026
A FREE talk series presented by Agency Projects
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation is proud to partner with Agency Projects to present the acclaimed UNTOLD talk series. Held on the Peninsula Lawns overlooking the waterfront, UNTOLD brings together leading First Nations artists, creatives, and cultural leaders from across Australia for a compelling program of storytelling, conversation, and cultural exchange. Celebrating the strength, continuity, and vitality of the world’s oldest living cultures, the series foregrounds contemporary First Nations voices, knowledge, and creative practice. The full program is available at agencyprojects.org
WHERE: Peninsula Lawns, Darwin Waterfront.
WHEN: Daily, 6-9 August
REGISTER: at agencyprojects.org
SCREEN ACTIVATIONS
Sit back and have a watch of the screens above the sandpit, sharing stories from across the continent.
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre, DAAF Sandpit
WHEN: Daily, 6-9 August
DAAF ARTS INDUSTRY DISPLAYS
Art Collector presents the 20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair magazine
Industry Specialists will be available to meet with, sharing information about their services, and welcoming new members. Including:
- Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia (AACHWA)
- Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists Aboriginal Corporation (ANKA)
- Arts NT - Department of People, Sport and Culture
- Bush Balm - Purple House
- Chapman and Bailey
- Copyright Agency
- Desart Inc
- Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA)
- Indigenous Art Code
- National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)
- Magabala Books
- Pack & Send
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
WHERE: Industry Specialist Concourse
WHEN: Daily, 6-9 August
STREET ART MURAL DEMONSTRATION
Street Art Mural Demonstration with Trent Lee
Larrakia artist Trent Lee, will lead a live street art mural demonstration, for ages 12-18 years.
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre, Outside
WHEN: Daily, 6-9 August
INDIGENOUS FASHION PROJECTS
IFP Booth
Meet the Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) team and some of their participating artists and designers to learn about IFP’s programs and events. Individual appointments can also be booked at the stand.
WHERE: IFP Fashion Booths, Mezzanine, Level 2, Darwin Convention Centre
WHEN: Daily, 6-9 August
SHOP FIRST NATIONS FASHION
IFP Fashion Booths
Shop the biggest selection of First Nations fashion labels in the country, get your hands on their latest designs, buying directly from the designers and artists from across Australia. Including:
- Atyene
- DandiArt
- Delvene Cockatoo Collins
- Gammin Threads
- Haus of Dizzy
- Ikuntji Artists
- KAFTA
- KingKing
- Ku Arts Textile Projects
- Kuku Bulkaway Arts
- LIANDRA
- LULUJARU
- Magpie Goose
- Marayn Menswear
- Marnin Studio
- Milky Water Western and Jaru Girl
- Mumred
- Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
WHERE: IFP Fashion Booths, Waterfront Rooms, Level 2 (Upstairs), Darwin Convention Centre
WHEN: Daily, 6-9 August
Sallyanne Roberts with her painting Kuru Ala, at Iwantja Creek, Image courtesy of Iwantja Arts
PUBLIC PROGRAM
What Else is On:
Sunday, 2 August
SOLD OUT
Monday, 3 August
SOLD OUT
Wednesday, 5 August
SOLD OUT