The North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) is an annual celebration of arts, culture, inclusion, and community. With world-class programming each year, NAFA not only enriches the local community but also strengthens Townsville’s standing as a destination for artistic excellence.
Attracting over 60,000 visitors annually and featuring more than 100 performances, the festival offers a dynamic range of shows, experiences, and venues that showcase the diverse art scene of North Queensland. NAFA supports local talent, nurtures emerging artists, and champions Indigenous-led arts initiatives, promoting greater cultural diversity and inclusion across the city and region.
Since its inception in 2019, NAFA has become a creative powerhouse, drawing over 248,545 audience members, providing opportunities for over 5,000 artists, and contributing more than $29M to the local economy. It has firmly cemented its place as a signature event in Townsville, offering a vibrant and ever-evolving celebration of the community’s artistic spirit and cultural richness.
Our journey began during the 2018 Commonwealth Games when Townsville was named one of the four Event Cities. Out of this, Festival 2018 was born, igniting a spark in our community for more cultural celebrations. Recognising this demand, Townsville City Council committed to establishing an annual arts and cultural festival, so in 2019 NAFA was born.
After 6 years under Townsville City Council, in 2025 the festival transitioned to an independent organisation – Northern Arts. This new chapter will allow the festival to step into the next stage of growth, embracing new ideas while strengthening community involvement and keeping regional artists at its core.