Alice Springs Festivals & Events

Alice Springs and Central Australia offers not only spectacular scenery and adventure, but also some wonderful, as well as unique annual festivals and events throughout the year. Whether your interest is motor vehicle or sports, to creative crochet and beanies, or even playing at boating related sports on a dry river bed, there is sure to be something that tickles your fancy.

Most of these activities are supported by a loyal band of volunteers and friends, both local and interstate visitors who travel especially for the event. Check out some of the listed events (we will be adding more information about them) from the visitor information centre or the festival and event own website.

Alice Springs
- FABalice Festival — early March
- Central Australia Rough Riders — 2-5 April 2021
- Parrtjima Festival — 9-18 April 2021
- Life in the Centre – Popup Gallery — 8 April-17 June 2021
  Within the Araluen Art Collection of the Araluen Art Centre, are these artworks owned by the Alice Springs Town Council (ASTC) that will appear in this pop-up exhibition. Focusing on Central Australia, these works are by artists including: Albert Namatjira, Henry Smith, John Wolseley, Kumantjayi, Judy Cassab, Les Finch, Pat Bailey, Rex Battarbee, Rod Moss, Thea Anamara Perkins, Tjakamarra Nelson.
- Wide Open Space Festival — 30 April-2 May 2021
  Head to Central Australia for a feast of music, arts and performanc in the incredible MacDonnell Ranges. Inspired by desert culture (both traditional and contemporary) and the ancient landscape, Wide Open Space is a celebration of creativity, connection and the irrepressible human spirit!
- Dark Skies Festival — 6-14 May 2021
  Central Australia’s Dark Skies Festival is a nine-night celebration of humanity’s connection to the Night Sky, held at Earth Sanctuary.
- Yarrenyty Arltere Artists — 7 May 7-27 June 2021
  Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre, the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists is a thriving creative hub that has nurtured the emergence of an entirely new form of art-making. The artists create contemporary soft sculptures and experiment with various other mediums as they explore and express their experience, place and culture.
- Alice’s Longest Luncheon, 2021
  — Sat May 22 @ 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
  Alice’s Longest Luncheon is Alice Springs premier annual foodie event! The main fundraiser for the Hamilton Downs Youth Camp, lunch is catered by several of Alice’s leading restaurants and catering firms. This year’s spectacular venue if the Olive Pink Botanic Garden.
- Pets on Parade
  — 9 am, Sunday 30 May 2021. This year’s theme is ‘Monsters and Aliens’.
  Alice Springs Town Council invite you to the annual Pets on Parade, promoting responsible pet ownership to the local community.
- Finke Desert Race — 11-14 June 2021
- Alice Springs Beanie Festival — 25-28 June 2021
- Alice Springs Show — 2-3 July 2021
- Henley-on-Todd Regatta — 21 August 2021
- Red Centre Nats — 3-5 September 2021
- World Solar Challenge — 22-30 October 2021

Other Events – Alice Springs
- Alice Springs Desert Mob — TBA, usually held sometime during September/October
- Alice Springs Street Art
- Earth Sanctuary — they often host events open to the public, bookings required.
- Todd Mall Markets

Parrtjima 2019 - The Language of Kin — Parrtjima 2019 – The Language of Kin

Following are other resources providing information about events in Alice Springs.

Alice Springs Events
- Alice Springs Town Council — community and events.
- Araluen Arts Centre — the centre for visual and performing arts in Central Australia.
- Red Hot Arts — check out their calendar for current art and related events.

Alice Springs Street Art Festival — Alice Springs Street Art

Alice Springs is renowned for some quirky festivals and events. From our archive, are these wonderful images of dogs from some very talented artists.

Alice Springs Archive
- Big Mob of Dogs!