T
he Harmony Soiree will return to the Darwin Waterfront on Saturday 30 May, celebrating 15 years of multicultural performances, food, and community gatherings, alongside the Big Day Out in Harmony in Alice Springs.
The Northern Territory Government has used the lead-up to the events to announce an increase in funding for the Harmony Grants Program, lifting the investment to $80,000. The grants support schools, councils, and community organisations delivering cultural events and activities across the Territory.
The annual Harmony Soiree has become one of the Territory’s longest-running multicultural events, drawing families and community groups together through music, dance, storytelling, workshops, and food from a wide range of cultures. This year’s Darwin event will again feature the popular lantern parade, as well as live entertainment and community stalls at the Waterfront precinct.
The Big Day Out in Harmony will run in Alice Springs on the same day, with activities aimed at bringing together Central Australian communities through cultural celebrations and family-friendly entertainment.
Pic supplied
Multicultural Affairs Minister Jinson Charls said the government wanted to strengthen support for local organisations delivering multicultural programs.
He said the additional funding would help grassroots groups continue sharing their cultures and traditions with the wider community.
“Whether you are in Darwin or Alice Springs, these events offer a wonderful opportunity for families to gather, learn from one another, and reinforce the message that everyone belongs in the Territory,” Mr Charls said.
The Harmony Soiree is being delivered through a partnership between the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, Darwin Community Arts, and the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory. The Alice Springs event is being presented with support from Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia.
The government says the celebrations form part of its broader focus on community events and multicultural engagement across the Territory.
Multicultural festivals and harmony events continue to attract strong public support across Australia, although some community advocates have previously argued that long-term funding certainty remains a challenge for smaller organisations running local cultural programs. Others have called for multicultural policies to extend beyond festivals and include stronger support in areas such as education, employment, and settlement services.
Saturday’s events are free and open to the public.
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