Festivals and Celebrations

Parrtjima is the meeting place where old meets new. It is the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of it’s kind, showcasing the oldest continuous culture on earth through the newest technology – all on the 300-million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia.

Each year this free event celebrates the ways in which artists evolve and experiment with different styles and materials, while staying true to Country and culture.

Parrtjima is held on Mparntwe (Alice Springs), which is connected to the estates of Mparntwe, Antulye and Irlpme. This also includes a network of people who have connections to these areas; some of whom have established the Parrtjima Festival Reference Group (PFRG) to guide and help create Parrtjima.

Together, they invite visitors to come and experience Parrtjima, and watch the desert come alive with new artworks, light shows and a program of performances, interactive workshops, music, films and talks.

The 2025 NT Writers Festival returns to Mparntwe/Alice Springs in beautiful Arrernte Country for four days of talks, readings and immersive events celebrating story, language, ideas and culture shaped by place. Bringing people together to share stories, NT Writers Festival connects the best of NT writing with diverse voices from across the country.

Our theme is angkwerre-iweme | healing in the winds of change.

Everyone is connected by our shared need for healing. Angkwerre-iweme is an Arrernte word and practice that describes the traditional healing method to clear us, cleanse us and bring renewal.

Bad things have affected everybody, but the winds of change are powerful. At the NT Writers Festival, we will explore how healing and justice are connected. We will learn how people reading and writing in their own languages keeps them strong.

Angkwerre-iweme means we allow the winds of change to whirl over us and through us, clearing the path to make way for healing. In the face of adversity and injustice, we come together in solidarity and look to the future, with powerful minds and awakened spirits.

Join us for panels, conversations, and readings with writers and storytellers from the NT and around Australia, as we question what it means to heal together.

The iconic Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta is a fun, quirky and eclectic ‘boat’ race held each year on the dry, sandy bed of the Todd River in Alice Springs, Australia.

Regatta attendees compete in ‘boat’ races in the style of the Flintstones: holding a lightweight boat frame and running around the buoy and back to the finish line. There are a variety of events, with something for everyone. From races and competitions, to live music, delicious food and crisp cold drinks from the bar.

Organisers invite you to join them as a participant, volunteer or a sponsor. For details how can you get involved, visit the Henley on Todd Regatta website.

Presented by World Expeditions, the 2025 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is a three-hour celebration of the mountain and adventure sports world. 

Sharing the most exhilarating short films from explorers, runners, mountain bikers, skiers, paddlers and climbers from around the globe. The tour is hot on the heels of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world, the Banff Mountain Festival, which takes place every November in the mountain town of Banff, in Canada.

More than 300 of the world’s best mountain sports, culture, environment, adventure, and exploration films are shown during the week-long event. A selection of award winners and audience favourites then tours the globe, visiting 390 communities and 35 countries as part of the festival’s official world tour.

This year, the Australian line-up features a captivating collection of short films shot in some of the most wild and remote corners of the world. The program is packed full of mesmerising cinematography, thought-provoking storylines and adrenaline-inducing action sequences.

The original and the best mountain film festival is an Adventure Reels event.

The Alice Springs Beanie Festival, one of Australia's unique Festivals, will be held in the Red Centre in June.

Five hundred beanie makers (from around the globe) shall create some of the world's best headgear and 7300 beanies are expected to descend on the Araluen Arts Centre for four days of exhibitions, Indigenous workshops, textile classes, live music, homemade tucker and a whole lot of fun, joy, warmth and colour.

7000 visitors from around the world attend and join in the excitement in the hunt for that perfect beanie. Chief Beaniologist , Jo Nixon, says "This year's Festival will the best one ever. We are planning for a huge success, and we are blessed to be able to include beanie artists from the remote Indigenous Communities of Central Australia creating opportunities for some lovely cross-cultural sharing with visitors. And, of course, we won't pull it off without the 120 volunteers giving their time and love to our special event."

Krazy Train is holding a special Laksa Festival event to raise money for National Breast Cancer Awareness Day on 25 October 2024. 

Try the Krazy Train laska, sink your teeth into their laksa pizza or be daring and taste test all of their laksa specials for a good cause! Krazy Train will be donating 5% of all proceeds for the day plus any donations from the public as a lump sum to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Krazy Train will also be hosting an Arcade Game competition as part of the day. Entrants have as many chances as they like on the day to play one of the 3 games (Pac-man, Streetfighter and Space invaders); the winner of each game at the end of the night will receive a prize!

Laksa Festival Burger & Cocktail Night - Every Wednesday from 5pm!
🍋‍🟩 
 
Come and try our Laksa Margarita!
A tangy twist on the classic with house made lemongrass & coriander syrup, coconut cream, lime juice and salted chili rub.

WEDNESDAY HAPPY HOUR - Only $16 

LAKSA BURGER
Triple cooked pork belly with Asian apple slaw, coriander, red chili and Laksa aioli on brioche bun with crispy egg noodles

ON SPECIAL EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT
FOR ONLY $15!


 

A 2024 International Laksa Festival event at Yaye's Cafe in collaboration with Central Craft.

Take part in a creative fusion of Yaye's sensational coffee and cuisine while discovering the magic of working with clay.

Create your own laksa themed bowl and spoon and be a part of the Laksa Festival fun!

Materials and morning tea provided. 

$85 per person or $130 for two.

Register to secure your spot and don't forget to try Yaye's special laksa festival dish.

Sign up online at centralcraft.org.au or scan the QR code:

Come and learn how to cook laksa from Thai De Cuisine - winner of the 2023 Best Regional Laksa.

As part of the Darwin International Laksa Festival, a live demonstration will take place in the Alice Plaza on 2 October 2024 commencing at 12pm. 

Recipe cards will be available and two free laksa's to be won. 

Get ready to see what’s on this 77th Harts Range Races & Bush Sports Weekend tinyurl.com/77th-Harts-Range-Races-2024

Gates open Friday 10am - members don’t forget to have your tickets to scan. So much to see and do for all ages.

Remember your finery for Fashions on the Field & your Aussie Icons dance outfits. 

Register your interest for Sunday evening Trivia & Roast night forms.gle/EhLVk7NPEpwTn2wC6

Or find out more about what's on via our website www.hartsrangeraces.org.au