Celebrate the incredible talent of Townsville at the North Australian Festival of Arts. From emerging performers to established favourites, NAFA is where local music, dance, theatre, and visual arts shine on the big stage. Book your tickets today and help support the artists who make our community vibrant.
Drift: A Rockpool Party
Immerse yourself in a sunset-soaked, sensory experience blending ambient music, stunning visuals, and floating relaxation at Townsville’s iconic Strand Rockpool. This is a premier event created by NAFA.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: 18+
Watersong by Shannon Jensen
Back by public demand for a return season at NAFA, WATERSONG is an extraordinary debut play by Shannon Jensen that is set to become an Australian classic, presented by local Townsville theatre company TheatreiNQ.
Genre: Theatre
Age Rating: 15+
A Live Moment
To mark local dance company Dancenorth’s 40th anniversary, A Live Moment is a wildly joyous celebration of dance - unapologetic, inclusive, and deeply communal.
Genre: Dance
Age Rating: G
Bingo Bango
Not your average Bingo game – it’s BINGO BANGO! Join us for a ridiculous, entertainment packed bingo bash filled with fun, singalongs, laughs and prizes for the whole family. A popular and returning act created by NAFA.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: PG
Mini Ravers
A boombox, bubbles and a whole lot of boogie – Join the ultimate daytime dance party for the whole family. Another premier event created by the NAFA team for the 2025 festival.
Genre: Dance
Age Rating: G
Kids Day Out
Get ready for the ultimate family adventure with non-stop action, live music, roving performers, and endless fun for the whole crew. Presented by NAFA and BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Silent Disco - Classic Dance Party
No theme, just good vibes! Hit The Strand with our Silent Disco Walking Tour—pop on headphones, dance freely, join flash mobs, and turn the streets into your personal stage. Hosted by local dance teacher Cara Griffin from Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Silent Disco - Kids
Kids’ hits, games, and singalongs light up this Silent Disco Walking Tour. Dance The Strand, join surprise flash mobs, and sing along in a fun, imaginative, feel-good moving party. Hosted by local dance teacher Cara Griffin from Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Silent Disco - 90's
Spice up your life with our 90's Silent Disco Walking Tour. Dance The Strand, join flash mobs, and sing aloud in this roaming, feel-good party packed with fun and nostalgia. Hosted by local dance teacher Cara Griffin from Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Silent Disco - New Gen Pop Divas
Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, SZA, Doechii, Dua Lipa....the Divas of a new generation. Join us to celebrate the hits of 2025! Hosted by local dance teacher Cara Griffin from Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Silent Disco - Girl's Night Out
Grab your bestie and hit The Strand for a friendship-filled Silent Disco Walking Tour—dance, sing, and join flash mobs in this fun, feel-good roaming party of joy and connection. Hosted by local dance teacher Cara Griffin from Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Silent Disco - Retro Groovers
Relive disco days from the 60's, 70's, and 80's before social media made classics cool again. Dance The Strand on our Silent Disco Walking Tour, join flash mobs, and let loose. Hosted by local dance teacher Cara Griffin from Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Yabu Gugay Sun Gathering
This performance opens NAFA 2025 with a powerful sunrise ceremony of dance, didgeridoo, and song, honouring over 60,000 years of culture and welcoming a new day in spirit and connection featuring local First Nations dancers Wulgurukaba Walkabouts. FREE EVENT - no bookings required.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Corroboree 2025
A vibrant celebration of First Nations culture uniting Indigenous dance groups and musicians from across Queensland. FREE EVENTS - no bookings required.
Genre: Dance
Age Rating: G
KIMMI. In the Key of Amy
KIMMI. is a local musician delivering a soulful tribute to Amy Winehouse, blending original songs, jazz-infused grooves, and raw emotion in a powerful, interactive live music experience.
Genre: Music
Age Rating: 15+
Contemporary Strings
A dynamic student ensemble from The Cathedral School delivering energetic performances of pop, rock, and iconic film and TV themes with a fresh, modern twist.
Genre: Music
Age Rating: G
Sip&Sing Community Karaoke
Sip&Sing is a fun, feel-good community choir where everyone’s welcome—no experience needed! Hosted by Townsville's own piano man Rob Stanier. FREE EVENT - no bookings required.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
No Safe Space
Fresh off Australian Survivor, Townsville's queen of comedy Indy returns to NQ with her bold new comedy show, No Safe Space — unfiltered and unapologetic.
Genre: Comedy
Age Rating: 18+
Cloud Nine
A dynamic circus performance by Friends of CircUP, featuring the talented adult trainers of CircUP Arts, Townsville’s only circus school.
Genre: Circus
Age Rating: G
Wide Horizons
A documentary film screening following the largest regional tour of a contemporary dance work in Australia from local dance company Dancenorth.
Genre: Dance
Age Rating: PG
Hello Possum
A night of real stories told live. Funny, raw, and always true, local people share unscripted moments that shaped their lives. Come for the laughs, stay for the goosebumps.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: 15+
Liquored Up Late
Side-splitting comedy acts, things we can't explain and sexually charged nonsense, this show is about the strength, resilience and humour of women. Presented by VaVoom Room, Townsville’s premier burlesque and body-confidence company.
Genre: Cabaret
Age Rating: 18+
LEGACY
A powerful celebration of belly dance and world rhythms honouring 30 years of movement, culture, and community. Presented by local dance company Global Dance Collective.
Genre: Dance
Age Rating: G
Feast of Bacchus
A mythic life drawing experience featuring a live model embodying Dionysus through dynamic poses, art, and revelry in a vibrant, theatrical setting. Hosted by Townsville's Milkglass Studio.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: 15+
HOME
A powerful audio-visual journey fusing cello, didgeridoo, and stunning visuals to inspire love for nature, connection to biodiversity, and collective action to protect our planet. Presented by local cellist Rike Wolf.
Genre: Music
Age Rating: PG
NQ Comedy Showcase
North Queensland's funniest comedians are bringing their best material to entertain you at NAFA this season.
Genre: Comedy
Age Rating: 18+
Renegade Handmade Market
Townsville's best market for locally made fashion, jewellery, arts, crafts, gifts and homewares is making an appearance at the NAFA festival hub. FREE EVENT - no bookings required.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: G
Trip
Strap in for a destination most unbecoming. An exploration of the surreal and uncomfortable, with flexible performers, and acrobats in airports. Townsville's own Hella Nervous Productions wants to take you on a Trip.
Genre: Circus
Age Rating: 18+
I Don't Drink Wine Anymore
A witty, heartfelt cabaret featuring local teacher Odette Baxter’s original songs about everyday absurdities. Expect life hacks, lessons, laments and laughs!
Genre: Cabaret
Age Rating: 18+
A Serve of Whacky with a Side of Red Flags!
Townsville's Sistas in Comedy is a bold, diverse troupe of women serving up side-splitting stories of love, life, parenting, and ageing.
Genre: Comedy
Age Rating: 18+
Songs of the Sea
Clear the decks, prepare your best singing voice and come on a musical journey across the seas with 33 1/3 - North Queensland's most loved Celtic band. A pirate costume is not compulsory (but it certainly helps).
Genre: Music
Age Rating: G
Indian Classical and Semiclassical Dances
A vibrant celebration of Indian culture through rhythm, grace, and generations of dance. Presented by Geetha's Natyalaya - a not-for-profit dance school in Townsville. FREE EVENTS - Bookings required.
Genre: Dance
Age Rating: G
Tattoos by Laleh Azargoon
Receive a flash tattoo by local artist Laleh Azargoon from Studio Ukiiyo. Walk-ins only, no bookings required.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: 18+
The Moon's Awake
Set in 1969 at the onset of the Troubles, this drama tells a story of family, friendships, loyalty, love, secrets, and the struggle against discrimination. Presented by Townsville's premier amateur theatre group Townsville Little Theatre.
Genre: Theatre
Age Rating: 15+
Hallelujah
An evening of powerful music with Townsville's Great Barrier Reef Orchestra, The Townsville Choral Society Choir, and violinist Sulki Yu.
Genre: Music
Age Rating: G
Mere Porvaj [I am Remembering]
A deeply personal solo art exhibition by Fijian-Australian artist Shivanjani Lal, exploring themes of migration, memory, and resilience.
Exhibition Dates: 20 September - 2 November
at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts
Genre: Visual Arts & Design
Age Rating: PG
Woven Together: Undivided We Rise
Showcasing artists from the 2024 Woven Together Conference, celebrating contemporary weaving as a powerful expression of resilience, self-care, and shared responsibility among First Nations women.
Exhibition Dates: 20 September - 2 November
at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts
Genre: Visual Arts & Design
Age Rating: PG
Artist & Curator Panel Discussion
Local artists will discuss their experience working together, their creative processes, and the themes of resilience, mental well-being, and cultural exchange that emerged from the collaboration.
Genre: Visual Arts & Design
Age Rating: PG
Umbrella Floortalk with Shivanjani Lal
Lal will discuss her practice, the themes of migration, memory, and ancestral loss in her work. She will share insights into her process, including her use of printmaking, storytelling, and historical research to reclaim forgotten histories.
Genre: Visual Arts & Design
Age Rating: PG
NIMBUS
Over 20 local artists shower you in music, dance, theatre, visual arts and sky dust.If you love art, and want to party, you belong at NIMBUS.
Genre: Activities & Experiences
Age Rating: 18+
Gurambilbarra Rhythm Diamonds Workshop
A 1-day workshop exploring rhythm with legendary drummer, innovator and author, Greg Sheehan. Presented by local Naomi Jean.
Genre: Workshop
Age Rating: PG