Gather round: Celebrating 20 years of culture and connection with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

If you’ve ever wandered through the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), you’ll know it’s an experience that’s impossible to leave empty-hearted. Some things are tangible: maybe a beautiful artwork caught your eye, or you discovered a new appreciation for an ancient weaving technique. Other moments feed the soul: a conversation you’ll remember for years, or simply the feeling of having witnessed something special.

This August, DAAF celebrates its 20th anniversary with eight extraordinary days honouring the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design and culture. From 2 to 9 August, Larrakia Country will once again come alive with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, makers, designers and performers, and a program overflowing with inspiration. Peppermint will be there throughout the week, sharing all the highlights. And trust us: if you’ve never experienced DAAF before, this year’s milestone celebration is the perfect time to dive in!

The festivities officially begin on Thursday, 6 August, with the 20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Opening Ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre. Following a Welcome to Country from one of the Larrakia Nation’s Traditional Owners, the evening brings together participating Art Centres, artists and supporters. Cultural performances from Munupi Arts & Crafts Association, Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, the Kerkar Kus Dance Team from Erub Island in the Torres Strait, and the Peppimenarti Dancers promise a joyful start to the Fair.

Once the doors open, the Public Program offers countless opportunities to roll up your sleeves and experience art- and culture-making firsthand. Across the weekend you’ll find weaving, painting and printmaking masterclasses led by celebrated artists, alongside material demonstrations, artist talks, children’s workshops and cultural performances that invite visitors of all ages to learn and connect.

Fancy trying traditional weaving techniques with artists from Injalak Arts or Durrmu Arts? Curious about ghost net weaving with Lavinia Ketchell from Erub Arts, watercolour painting with Iltja Ntjarra artists, or shell body adornment with Umi Arts? Or perhaps the thought of joining in the Clay Stories Masterclass with Hermannsburg Potters gets you all excited! You’ll find all of that, alongside painting workshops, live art demonstrations, children’s activities with Manuel Pamkal and Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, thought-provoking conversations with Coloured Stone, and plenty of opportunities to simply pause and soak up the atmosphere. Tickets go fast, though, so hop to it: find the full public program and ticketing information on DAAF’s website.

And of course, Country to Couture returns for its biggest year yet. Running across two nights for the first time, the acclaimed runway spectacular continues to showcase the incredible breadth of First Nations fashion, bringing together community art centres, designers and artists in a celebration of storytelling through textiles, design and contemporary fashion. As Premium Media Partner, Peppermint couldn’t be prouder to be part of the journey once again.

Until then, take a look behind-the-scenes with our images from last year’s celebrations, captured by Peppermint’s editor-in-chief Kelley Sheenan (you can also head to Peppermint’s Facebook page for the full gallery!). They’re a glimpse into what makes DAAF so special: colour that leaps from every corner, artists generously sharing knowledge, performances that fill the space with energy and a community coming together to celebrate culture in all its forms.

Twenty years on, DAAF continues to evolve. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone alongside the incredible artists and communities who make it possible, and we hope we’ll see you there. One thing’s for certain: it’s going to be a fabulously fun week!

♡ Peppermint is proud to be the media partner for the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Larrakia Country, 2-9 August 2026.