Nongkrong Festival

Sun 9th February, 2025 – Sun 23rd February, 2025
Various locations
There'll be food carts in Fed Square, a one-off four-course dinner made by home cooks, rice porridge made by four different chefs include Sleepy’s Steve Chan and much more.

After a sold-out debut season last year, Nongkrong Festival – run by Indonesian-Australian siblings Moira and Darryl Tirtha – is returning for its second run. Translating to “hanging out” in Bahasa Indonesia, Nongkrong is hosting nine events across the city over two weeks, celebrating the Southeast-Asian country’s rich culture, from music to food, through workshops, talks, club nights and one-off dinners.

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Marga, Fairfield Amphitheatre
Sunday, February 9

The festival kicks with a free opening ceremony and barbeque serving traditional Indonesian and Indigenous food. There’ll also be DJ sets by Ones, Ewan Sutardy and Sophie McAlister, and a fireside chat and dance performance with Makkasan dancer Abdi Karya and Yolngu presenter Leila Gurruwiwi, reflecting on the relationship between Indonesia and Australia.

Sarapan, Fed Square
Sunday, February 23

Part of Asia Topa, Sarapan or “breakfast” in Bahsa Indonesia offers contemporary takes on traditional Indonesian breakfast dishes served from street food carts in Fed Square – and entry is free. The team is flying down Laksa Queen Amye behind Darwin’s Laksa House which is said to make some of the NT’s best bowls. Also on the food lineup: Sydney pop-up pro Wok Boi and Indonesian coffee and sandwich bar Warkop.

There’ll be live music throughout the day including performances by Gamelan ensemble Mugi Rahayu and the Maluku Basudara Choir, along with dances. Or join a gong meditation, Indonesian aerobics with high energy dance class Groov3 and other workshops.

Proper Pedas, Operator San
Thursday, February 13

For one night, Nongkrong is taking over Japanese CBD cafe Operator San for a four-course dinner made by Indonesian home cooks aka aunties. They’ll be cooking lesser-known specialty dishes, usually made for family and friends, with plenty of spice. Pick between two sittings at 6pm and 8:30pm.

Bookings

Gotong Royong, Ultra Culture
Wednesday, February 19

Come to this walk-in only pop-up for all things rice porridge. The team is bringing together four chefs from different diasporas – Indonesian, Thai, Filipino and Chinese – to create their own takes on the hearty dish. Representing Vietnam will be roaming kitchen Boma Cooking. Dishing a Chinese take will be Sleepy’s Cafe and Wine Bar chef-owner Steve Chan. Plus Jeed Chu (Thailand) and Mama Ning (Indonesia) will offer their own renditions. The event will run from 5:30pm until sold out.

More information and full schedule of events here.

@nongkrongfest

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