Welcome to the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA). NAFA transforms Townsville with eclectic and vibrant events that include comedy, dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts and so much more. Celebrating, art, culture, inclusion, and community, NAFA returns to Townsville, from the 24th September to 12th October 2025, with the same mantra; no matter who you are, where you come from or what artform you represent, everyone is welcome at NAFA.
OUR HISTORY
Since 2019, NAFA has been a powerhouse of creativity, drawing in a whopping 248,545 audience members, providing opportunities to over 5000 artists and 491 event staff, and injecting over $29M into the local economy. NAFA has firmly established itself as a signature event in Townsville, offering a kaleidoscope of performances, experiences, and venues that showcase the vibrant spirit of the arts.
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, thus giving birth to NAFA.