The Sugarbag Festival returns in 2024 with a vibrant and eclectic program of queer arts and culture in a celebration of talent and diversity through entertainment. Set in the heart of Darwin, the festival showcases the creative and inclusive culture of the LGBTQIA+ community from May 31-June 2.

In its third year, the festival continues to foster a sense of community, celebration, and recognition of the queer arts through a blend of storytelling, music, visual arts, film and community gatherings. In collaboration with the Darwin Street Art Festival, the dynamic art of local and national street artists will also be on show.

Sugarbag Festival co-director Daniel Cunningham said the event was a testament to the vibrant queer arts scene and to the diversity, resilience, and spirit of inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The festival emphasises the creative synergy between the queer community and the arts, enriching the cultural landscape of the city,” he said.

The festival excitement begins today with the online launch of the Sugarbag 2024 program.

Queerly Beloved: A Night of Queer Storytelling
Friday, May 31 | 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | MAGNT Theatrette | Tickets $30 | Age: 16+
Step into a world painted with the vibrant hues of our Rainbow Territorians' lives as through candid interviews. Queerly Beloved is an intimate tapestry of tales that resonate with love, life, and the distinct heartbeat of our wet and dry seasons. Join us in an atmosphere brimming with support and inclusivity, where each story told is a thread that connects us, enlightens us, and celebrates the multifaceted spectrum of identity. This is a journey through the shared experiences that define us, enrich us, and remind us that every story matters.

Sugarbag x Darwin Street Art Festival Block Party: The Sweet Honey Collective
Saturday, June 1 | 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Austin Lane, Darwin | Free to all ages
Austin Lane will be transformed into a cavalcade of queer art, music, performance and culture. The Sweet Honey Collective is a collaboration that celebrates diversity and community through a harmonious blend of street art and rainbow culture.

Sugar Bag X DSAF Skate & Paint
Sunday, June 2 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Leanyer Recreation Park| Register for FREE entry |
This inclusive LAUNCH event encourages the community to engage with street art and skating, offering a platform to have a go and get creative on Larrakia Land. "Sugar Bag X DSAF Skate & Paint" is a special edition of the regular paint jam with a skating option added! It's the perfect place to try something new and work on skills. Get tips from Darwin Skate School or Babes Paint Darwin. Free for LGBTQIA+ people and females aged 12+. Registration is recommended to receive updates and reminders.

Arafura Orchestra Performance
Sunday, June 4 | 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Supreme Court
Step into "Kaleidoscope," a concert that weaves together a vivid tapestry of emotion and sound. Let the Arafura Music Collective and guest maestro Ben Opie take you on an auditory odyssey with pieces by queer virtuosos like Sally Whitwell and Alice Cotton's Darwin-inspired serenades. Embrace the debut of ground-breaking compositions that illuminate queer stories in a symphony of contemporary classical music. This is not just a concert; it's a transformative experience of music and tales waiting to be heard. Be part of this enchanting experience and let the music resonate long after the last note fades.
(Tickets on sale soon)

Telstra SUGARBAG Outdoor Films Under the Stars
Sunday, June 2 | 7:00 PM | MGANT Amphitheatre | Tickets from $25 | Age: 16+
Under the celestial canopy of the Darwin dry season, the Telstra SUGARBAG Screen lights up the Maritime Lawn at MAGNT with a celebration of LGBTQIA+ cinema. Revel in an evening of queer tales and cinematic magic, all unfurling in the serenity of an open-air theatre. Pack a blanket, bring your favourite cheese board, and indulge in drinks available for purchase as the silver screen illuminates stories as diverse and vibrant as the stars above. Join us for a night where film and the power of storytelling merge, crafting an unforgettable experience under the star-lit NT sky.

Throughout the Festival
The Sugarbag Festival's ongoing events feature an array of immersive experiences. Explore the vibrant streets of Darwin with the Darwin Street Art Festival and the captivating Sugarbag Inflatable Hives Installation. For a full exploration, and to purchase tickets, please visit [Sugarbag Festival's official website] sugarbagfestival.com.au