Central Australia is home to a wide range of events that you will not find anywhere else in the world, each with their own quirk. With a jampacked calendar full of events throughout the year, every weekend you will find something happening, from small community events to world class festivals. From adventure and action to arts and culture, what ever experience you’re looking for, we’ve got it.
The region is renowned for its arts and culture, with many festivals throughout the year to celebrate. Find your perfect piece of artwork at the famous Desert Mob, which runs in September, alongside Desert Song and Desert Festival, showcasing a line up of local and interstate performers. Immerse yourself in Central Australian Aboriginal culture, where stories come to light at Parrtjima, a festival in light.
Ever seen a Camel Race? See one in Central Australia race around a dusty outback track! How about a boat race in a dry riverbed? The Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta is the only boat race that gets cancelled if the river is flowing.
Find your perfect beanie at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, where you can choose from over 7000 beanies! When you’ve found your perfect Beanie, rev up for action packed weekends like the Red CentreNATS and Finke Desert Race.
The desert landscape and clearest of skies make Central Australia the perfect place to star gaze, and this year we welcome to inaugural Dark Skies Festival, a celebration of humanities connection to the night sky. The clear skies don’t only make it perfect for star gazing, but for enjoying the evenings with FABalice festival, a weekend full of celebrating everything rainbow, inspired by Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Have you found something that’s sparked your interest yet? Explore the range of events we have on below and start booking your Red Centre Adventure.
Event
Some Like it Hot, curated by Wendy Garden, brings together two of the Northern Territory’s most respected artists: ... more
Event
The Imparja Cup brings together First Nations cricketers from across the Territory in a festival of cricket, countr... more
Event
Have yourself a good laugh and some good vibes every other Wednesday at the Jump Inn! Your midweek just got a lot ... more
Event
The National Indigenous Cricket Championships will return to Alice Springs in February 2023, after a two-year absen... more
Event
Travelling Film Festival, the regional tour of Sydney Film Festival, will return to Alice Springs in February 2023 ... more
Community Event
A unique showcase of Drag, Family, Comedy and Cabaret events, celebrating the inclusivity and diversity of the Red ... more
Community Event
Parrtjima is the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind. The annual festival takes over Alice Springs... more
Community Event
Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup Carnival is a month of racing at Ladbrokes Pioneer Park Racecourse in April 2023! The ... more
Community Event
Wide Open Space Festival is an annual 3-day music, arts and desert culture festival that has attracted audiences to... more
Event
The Great Outback Escape is no ordinary cycling tour. It’s an eight-day, fully-supported premium bike riding holida... more
Event
Alice’s Longest Desert Lunch now takes pride of place as the premier food and wine occasion in Central Australia wi... more
Event
The 2023 NT Writers Festival returns to Mparntwe/Alice Springs in beautiful Arrernte Country for four days of talks... more
Featured Events
The iconic Finke Desert Race is an off-road, multi terrain two day race for bikes, cars, buggies and quads through ... more
Event
The 27th Alice Springs Beanie Festival, one of Australia's unique Festivals, will be held in the Red Centre in June... more
Event
It's Showtime! The largest community event in Alice Springs! Filled with all your favourite Show competitions incl... more
Event
The Redback is a 4 day, 6 stage MTB race on the dusty trails surrounding Alice Springs in the very heart of Austral... more
Event
Run Larapinta is a 4 day, 4 stage trail running race along the most spectacular sections of the iconic Larapinta Tr... more
Event
The ultimate festival of wheels will return to Alice Springs in September 2023! There will be more action than eve... more
Event
Desert Mob 2023 is presented by Desart the peak body for 38 Aboriginal Art and Craft Centres across central Austral... more
Event
The 2023 Desert Song Festival (DSF) will regather to Alice Springs, the Desert Song global family of artists who ha... more
Community Event
Desert Festival is Alice Springs’ award-winning annual arts and cultural festival, held in September each year. T... more
Event
Game on sports fans! The longest-running Masters Games in Australia will return in October 2024, when the Alice S... more
Sign up to receive the latest news, deals and travel information about the Northern Territory.
Need a hand choosing or booking your red centre adventure?