ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

Entries are now open for the Royal Darwin Show. Now in its 74^th year, The Royal Darwin Show is the Territory’s oldest and largest premier community event celebrating the diverse and unique talents of the community.

Each year Territorians submit thousands of entries, showcasing their passions, creativity, and skills across a wide variety of categories. From beloved pets and prized produce to skills such as horse-riding, animal handling, cooking, and creativity and craft, Lego creations, and painting gumboots, there’s a category for every interest, age and talent.

There are even Territory-specific categories, including the best homemade fishing lure and traditional spear throwing, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of our region. This year, the Royal Darwin Show theme is celebrating Tropical Flowers.

Anyone can enter!  There are prestigious awards and exciting prizes on offer.  Furthermore, the Show gives everyone the opportunity to display their talents, skills, animals, produce and exhibits to approximately 50,000 visitors over the popular three-day event.

Students also from several schools across the region are submitting their best work in hopes of winning some cash prizes. Darwin Highschool, Essington School, Marrara Christian College and Karama Primary School students submitted impressive number of entries in last years show!

Once again, the Show will be running the NT Country Music Talent Quest at the Bandstand.  The prestigious Country Music Talent Quest paves the way for undiscovered local talented singers, songwriters, and pickers, from Junior to semi-professional, to follow in the footsteps of Australian country musicians such as Jessica Malboy, Sara Storer and more.

Entrants in the Quest have the once in a lifetime opportunity to compete for a national Scholarship to the CMAA Academy of Country Music in Australia’s capital of Country, Tamworth.   The Scholarship comprises seven days of intensive learning with some of the biggest stars of country music, in the week leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, in January 2026.

 Entry forms available online soon. To find out more contact Bandstand Manager Andrew on 0428 153 355 or entertain.nt@gmail.com  for your chance to win the highly recognized CMMA National Scholarship.

For those who enjoy live music, local acts and entertainment, on Friday and Saturday, there will be entertainment for the whole family held at the Darwin Show’s Bandstand commencing from 10am and finishing around 8.30pm on Friday Show Day and on Saturday.  The entertainment includes a mixture of modern and cultural dance and a variety of music styles such as rock, jazz and country from a diverse range of talented local performers of all ages, some from schools and clubs! Territory FM Darwin will be live and loud from the corner spot across the days.

The highly popular Show Cattle Judging has also an exciting new opportunity this year for its junior judges and paraders this year!  The NT winner will have the chance to represent the Northern Territory and compete at the National Competition.

2024 Judge of the Show Cattle Competition was Alistair Rayner from NSW.   Alistair made the following comments..

“In general the students all performed very well in both confidence and handling”.  They don’t get as much opportunity as southern students who have access to a larger show circuit, but they still do well and try hard.  They were eager to learn and to try to find ways to improve, which is great”…

As part of the cattle judging, students are also encouraged to make good decisions when it comes to their livestock selection.  Alistair says, “we give feedback on their stud cattle that also applies to commercial cattle as well, this is valuable knowledge for the students”.

The much-anticipated annual Royal Darwin Show provides a significant economic and social benefit to Darwin and incorporates a diverse mix of tradition, history, cultures, industry, entertainment and education. The Royal Darwin Show has maintained its relevance and popularity as an iconic family event.   For many families, participating in the Show is a cherished tradition passed down through generations.

A truly ‘whole of community’ event, the Royal Darwin Show also provides a unique once-a-year opportunity to engage and display the Northern Territory lifestyle, agriculture, food and culture, and primary industries.

 

 

The Show will be officially opened by the Vice Patron of the RASNT Chief Minister, the Hon Lia Finnochiaro MLA.

Quotes from Show Manager, Cherry Court:

 “The Royal Darwin Show provides a wonderful platform for Territorians to showcase their many unique talents to the whole community, we have thousands of categories that cater to just about every age group and interest!” It’s easy to enter, just visit the website and fill out an online entry form”

 Quotes from Mrs Judy Anictomatis OAM, President of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Northern Territory.

 “One of the most heartwarming aspects of the Show is seeing people bring their families or friends along to see their work on display. It’s not just about individual achievements; it’s about celebrating the collective efforts of their school, social, or community group. It really promotes a sense of community spirit”.

 Entries close on June 13, with physical entries to be delivered during Show week.