In 1987 Mindil Beach Markets was six people’s vision to bring a taste of Asia’s night markets to Australia. Once the market was established with 20 food stalls and 20 art & craft stalls, the founders helped the stallholders form their own independent, non profit association to administer the growth and development of the market. Today Mindil Beach Sunset Market Association is an incorporated non profit market funded solely by it’s members who have delivered the market into its 21^st year in 2007

Mindil Market stallholders come from around fifty different ethnic backgrounds. The line-up for opening night reflects this diversity and is a taste of what is to come - there is a bit of something for everyone...

Bom A La Ska is Darwin’s first Ska group, comprising nine Darwin musicians Bom A La Ska’s repertoire include classics such as Ska Fort Rock, Glory To The Sound and When I Fall In Love. The addictive Ska beat captivates All with upstroke guitar, pulsing rhythm section and infectious horns will guarantee a dance trip to the tropical dancehalls of the Caribbean

Will be wowing the audience with a skilful display of fire theatre. Using the awesome Diabolo Psycus will have everyone spellbound as they create fiery images against a backdrop of the Timor Sea and the starry night sky

The Chung Wah Society Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe has been performing the traditional lion dance in Darwin for many many years. Today, the troupe perform at many various occassions and functions and will delight the audience at mindil market with amazing acrobatic skills that is displayed while dancing with the lion. The lion is considered to be lucky, and is performed to bring prosperity, good luck and fortune. The lion also scares away any evil spirits and negative energy which may be around

Kiribati dancers perform a kaleidoscope of magnificent song and dance showcasing some of their cultural activities. Kiribati Islands are ribbons of coral atolls spread across the Central Pacific in an area known as Micronesia

A collection of traditional aboriginal dancing and ceremony 

The Jamealah belly dancers will delight and dazzle the entire audience with a colourful and mesmerising belly dance performance ranging from traditional Egyptian folk dance through to thoroughly modern and funky Arabic pop

Capoeira is a lively Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics and music with fighting techniques

A collection of modern and vibrant Bollywood dancing, performed by local dancers affiliated with Darwin's Hindu Association 

Infectious grooves played by Mark Hoffman on his multi-didgeridoo stand combined with percussive world beats by Lukas Bendel creating a raw energy that reflects the alternative culture of Darwin

Music with a unique collaboration of world music themes

A singer with a beautiful, silky voice who writes very personal songs about life and love. Freedom is joined by her amazing bass player JK 

Various performers/ buskers

To get the celebration rolling at approximately 8.30pm, it’s eyes to the skies as Howard & Sons, Australia’s oldest fireworks company, puts on a fantastic pyrotechnic display. Always enjoyed by Territorians and visitors symbolizing the start of the market season

Ms Thatcher says she has been ‘delighted’ by the interest in the market this year from new stallholders and market goers can expect a greater range of products this year both from food and art and craft stallholders. Some of the new craft stalls are just fantastic – Territory laser cut, African craft and artifacts, ‘Grevillia’ children’s clothing and ‘Floreo’ flowerlights just to mention a few from the 30 new craft stalls

With 60 foods stalls our latest addition being camp oven food “The Tucker Pot” serving Australian foods

“We’ve opened the market up a lot more this year, both in terms of physical layout and what’s available, such as extra seating areas, ATMs, and extra toilets

The market kicks off Thursday 26^th at 5pm to 10pm