Darwin's only First Nation's-led multi-arts festival provides more than just a weekend of entertainment, but speaks to the breadth of talent, strength and history in culture, says Garrmalang Festival creative director Dr Wendy Ludwig.

In fact, it's no longer just a weekend catalogue.

Eight years on from its inaugural year, the celebrations have grown to extend over six-days, incorporating music, arts, business, discussion and comedy onto its event list.

Garrmalang ran May 22-28 in 2023.

The name draws from the Larrakia word for Darwin's CBD, where the events are housed within the Entertainment centre.

Dr Ludwig says getting the community through the doors to see what's out there is what the festival is all about, and makes a powerful statement within the city.

She previously sat on the Darwin Entertainment Centre board and took the reins in her new role last year. It's only getting bigger, and for good reason.

"The fact that Garrmalang Festival is the only First Nations-led festival that happens here in Darwin is really important. And that's making a statement about our presence in this community," she told the National Indigenous Times.

"It's also, I think, a really positive balance to pressure that First Nation people are under at the moment."

For the young people through to the older mob facing a range of difficult issues in their communities, "all over the Territory, and all over the country", Dr Ludwig said the pressure can build to a point of eruption in already tested environments.

She hopes festivals like hers can add a fresh breath of air.

"Being able to provide some opportunities to get some positive energy and recharge our batteries, I think is really important," she said.

For some, it's an opportunity for business and exposure to great entertainment sometimes overwhelming or slightly out of reach. Ms Ludwig is supporter of getting in small businesses involved free of charge, and offering community pricing for theatre events to encourage full rooms in unfamiliar environments.

The result is a vibrant pocket of the city oozing with excitement and culture.

Unlike some festivals, the kids are put front and centre of a fair chunk of the program.

Workshops, panel discussions and opening ceremony performances saw young ones in the spotlight.

"All those kids sitting in the audience, to see you know, some of their own, who are doing amazing things, but also talking really honestly and openly about the challenges that they had…I really wanted to have an opportunity to display what those young people can aspire to. And also, again, for them to see that there's a whole range of different opportunities"

The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Elaine Crombie, Ursula Yovich, Kevin Kropinyeri and Young Australian of the Year 2023 Jahdai Vigona were just some of the headliners.

Dr Ludwig herself sat on a panel with Australia's first Indigenous Senior Counsel Tony McAvoy and Senator for the NT Malarndirri McCarthy in an enthralling chat, which discussed claims made by opposition leader Peter Dutton on the Voice to Parliament.

As far as next year, Garrmalang will be back, and hopefully better than ever.

"This year it's really cemented the identity and the entity Garrmalang along festival in not only people's minds...on a national level as well," Dr Ludwig said.

"I look forward to it growing and becoming even more entrenched in people's hearts."