The annual Alice Springs festivals and events you don’t want to miss

Leah McLennan Leah McLennan
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Alice Springs (Mparntwe) punches above its weight with some of the most unique destination events in Australia.

From an opera performance in an ancient gorge to a beanie festival that attracts Aboriginal Territorians from remote communities and visitors alike, it’s clear that Alice Springs is where the parties are at. Gather your family or friends and plan a trip around these festivals and events in Alice Springs.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Here’s something you don’t see every day: 6500 beanies transformed into vibrant works of art.

knitters gathering at the Beanie Festival
Knitters from all around Australia gather at the Beanie Festival. (Image: Oliver Eclipse)

The joyful four-day Beanie Festival held in June brings together knitters from remote Central Australian communities and crafters from all around Australia. Expect a dazzling array of knitwear, live music and plenty of food stalls with delicious treats.

Woman tries on a beanie at the Beanie Festival in Alice Springs
Leave the festival with your wearable art. (Image: Oliver Eclipse)

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

One to plan an Alice Springs trip in April around, the dazzling after-dark Parrtjima – A Festival of Light takes place at the Alice Springs Desert Park over 10 nights.

the Parrtjima 2024 festival of light
Witness the vibrant festival of light projected onto the MacDonnell Ranges. (Image: Parrtjima)

Expect epic projections of new and old Aboriginal artworks onto the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, a 300-million-year-old natural canvas.

the Grounded installation at Parrtjima 2024
Wander through the immersive Grounded art installation. (Image: Parrtjima)

The festival also includes music performances, art workshops and talks by some of Australia’s most well-known Indigenous identities.

a couple wandering at the art displays in Parrtjima 2024
The annual Parrtjima festival celebrates art, music, and culture. (Image: Parrtjima)

FabALICE Festival

Pack your glitter and hop aboard! The annual FabALICE in March boasts a program of fun-filled parties, performances and night markets that celebrate the vibrant queer culture that has long permeated Alice Springs. Of course this four-day festival includes a screening of the flick Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Also don’t miss catching a ride on the Budget Barbie Camper, where performers take punters on hour-long tours around town.

a performer at FabALICE Festival dressed in vibrant costume
FabALICE Festival celebrates the vibrant queer culture in Alice Springs. (Image: Tourism NT))

Desert Song Festival

Catch performances by renowned pianists, violinists, choirs and string quartets in some of the most remote locations in Australia.

a performance at the Desert Song Festival, Alice Springs
Witness superb performances at the Desert Song Festival.

Over 10 days in September, Desert Song Festival treats attendees to a program of concerts, workshops and masterclasses, with many events taking place in phenomenal outdoor locations.

an art workshop at the Desert Song Festival, Alice Springs
The festival also offers workshops and masterclasses.

The highlight? A concert at Ormiston Gorge, 135 kilometres west of Alice Springs, featuring the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir.

a concert at Ormiston Gorge, Desert Song Festival
Don’t miss the concert in Ormiston Gorge.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Red CentreNATS

Rev heads get ready for Red CentreNATS, a three-day spectacular of classic, modified and luxury cars and motorbikes competing in a range of categories. Held in late August and early September, highlights include street parades, drag races, show ‘n’ shine vehicle displays and the epic wrap-up party, where champions are crowned, and all things rev heads are celebrated.

the epic burnouts at Red CentreNATS
The Red CentreNATS is a celebration of all things rev heads. (Image: Tourism NT)

Tatts Finke Desert Race

Racing is always hard but there are some races that are tougher than others. Enter the Tatts Finke Desert Race, a two-day off-road race for bikes, cars and buggies through desert country from Alice Springs to the Aputula (Finke) community.

a vehicle driving through the dusty road during the Tatts Finke Desert Race
Head trackside for a great view of the Tatts Finke Desert Race.

Held over the King’s Birthday long weekend in June, “Finke" as it’s known, attracts bikers, car racers and spectators. Head trackside for a great view of the race in the public areas, located close to town at the three-, four- and 10-kilometre marks.

a motorbike rider racing through the desert country during the Tatts Finke Desert Race
Bikes also get in on the action in this off-road race through the desert.

Alice Springs Show

Bring the whole family to the beloved Alice Springs Show for two days of carnival rides, games, petting zoos, wood chopping, V8 displays, fireworks and more.

the Ferris wheel at the Alice Springs Show
A ride on the Ferris Wheel is always a highlight.

Get a unique insight into rural life in the Red Centre by checking out the equestrian, cattle and poultry events.

horseback riding at the Alice Springs Show
Rural life puts its best foot forward in this two-day show.

Wide Open Space Festival

Set against the backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges, Wide Open Space Festival attendees can enjoy panoramic views of the ancient ranges all the while getting down to cutting-edge electronic beats, soulful live performances and global sounds.

a traditional ceremony at Wide Open Space Festival, Alice Springs
Wide Open Space Festival is a celebration of music, arts and desert culture.
(Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

Held over three days in May at Ross River Resort, 80 kilometres east of Alice Springs, the options are plentiful; take a dip in the pool, simply enjoy the music or take a hike on one of the many walking tracks.

dancing at Wide Open Space Festival
Lose yourself in cutting-edge electronic beats. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

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Blacken Open Air

Metal enthusiasts don’t miss your chance to headbang in the desert. Blacken Open Air is a three-night camp-out festival held at Ross River Resort in August, the same stunning location as Wide Open Space Festival. Run by Alice Springs’ own heavy music label, The Black Wreath, the festival features a huge line up of bands from across Australia, as well as Arrernte cultural performances.

Alice Springs Masters Games

Calling all mature sports lovers: Alice Springs Masters Games, aka the Friendly Games, are held in October and are open to anyone with a love of sports who meets the age criteria. Over eight days, athletes compete in various sports, such as archery, badminton, basketball, cricket, darts, swimming, lawn bowls and equestrian.

Field Hockey at Alice Springs Masters Games
Field hockey is one of the many sports you can take part in over the course of the event.

Desert Mob

Explore artwork from more than 35 art centres in Central Australia at Desert Mob, a festival taking place in September at Araluen Arts Centre.

a group of people exploring Desert Mob
Desert Mob displays artwork from more than 35 art centres across Central Australia. (Image: Tourism NT)

This sprawling celebration of Aboriginal art and artists presented over 15 days by Desart, features an exhibition, symposiums, marketplace, workshops and performances.

a couple looking at a painting in Desert Mob
The Araluen Art Centre plays hosts to a wide range of exquisite artworks. (Image: Tourism NT)

Henley on Todd Regatta

No water in the river? That won’t stop the Alice Springs locals from holding a regatta.

Henley on Todd Regatta
Henley on Todd Regatta the world’s only dry river boating event in Alice Springs. (Image: Tourism NT/Imparja Creative)

The dry riverbed of the Todd River comes alive each August with the Henley on Todd Regatta, featuring ‘boats’ running on sand, pirate battles and a flotilla of bathtubs, showcasing the Red Centre’s infectious sense of humour.

participants and spectators at the Henley on Todd Regatta in Alice Springs
The boat race is held on the dry sandy riverbed of the Todd River. (Image: Tourism NT/Imparja Creative)
For more incredible ways to explore the region, read our travel guide to Alice Springs.
Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.