Snapshots: Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Alice Springs ~ Snapshots from the Northern Territory

The world’s biggest Beanie Festival is one of those iconic Alice Springs events, held during the colder months of winter in Central Australia, a time when everyone needs a beanie…

This community-based event that began in 1997 with a ‘beanie party’, organised by Adi Dunlop and friends. Over the years this wonderful event has grown with a core group of committed band of ‘beanie-ologists’, who know their beanies and a wonderful group of volunteers.

A fun-filled event where Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal artists share their culture and exhibit together. It now attractions beanies and visitors from around the world.

The festival is unique because of the incredible amount of community participation and their close ties with local Aboriginal organisations. The festival’s aims have always been to develop Aboriginal women’s textiles, promote womens’ culture and the beanie as a regional art form, as well as promote handmade textile arts. Workshops and demonstrations are held over the weekend with a chance to meet and interact with some of the local indigenous artists.

The competition-side of the event has entries from around the world, providing a great way to participate. Volunteers are also welcomed and you can meet new friends and enjoy a very special festival. With over thousands of head-warmers up for grabs, you have to be quick to purchase a couple of unique beanies for yourself.

The opening celebrations include a line-up of entertainment, parade of winning beanies and some great camaraderie, the ‘Alice Springs Beanie Festival’ is a permanent feature on many peoples calendar and a must see for locals and visitors to Alice Springs.

Enjoy our selected images, and come back as we continue to add more from our beanie archives…