The National Indigenous Music Awards are officially set to return in 2026, with the prestigious celebration of First Nations music heading back to the Darwin Amphitheatre in Darwin on Saturday, August 8th.
Marking its 22nd edition, the NIMAs continue to stand as one of Australia’s most vital cultural events, spotlighting the extraordinary breadth of First Nations artistry from established icons to the next generation of groundbreaking voices.
Ahead of tickets going on sale this Friday, nominations are now open nationwide, with artists and releases eligible across six major categories: Artist of the Year, Best New Talent, Album of the Year, Film Clip of the Year, Community Clip of the Year and Song of the Year.
Presented by MusicNT, the annual event has become a cornerstone of Australia’s music calendar, celebrating Indigenous excellence while creating a powerful platform for connection, storytelling and cultural recognition.
MusicNT Chairperson Catherine Satour said:
“The National Indigenous Music Awards are a powerful celebration of First Nations music, culture and community. On behalf of MusicNT, we are proud to see the NIMAs return to Garramilla/Darwin in 2026, shining a national spotlight on the talent and leadership of Indigenous artists across the country.”
The awards ceremony will once again form part of a major week of First Nations cultural celebration in the Top End, running alongside key events including the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards.
Recent NIMAs alumni include powerhouse artists such as Jessica Mauboy, BARKAA and 3% , artists who continue to shape and redefine the Australian music landscape.
Nominations remain open until June 19th, with the official performance lineup still to be announced.
With another huge celebration of First Nations music on the horizon, the 2026 NIMAs are shaping up to be one of the year’s most important live events.
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