A light spectacular like no other

Parrtjima transforms the Central Australian desert into a breathtaking light spectacle, rivalling other Australian light festivals while offering a truly unique experience. What sets it apart is the stunning activation of Aboriginal artworks and cultures through captivating light shows and installations in the heart of the outback.

The free, 10-night festival brings the world’s oldest continuous culture to life with modern technology, all set against the ancient, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. Festival-favourite installations, such as the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show and Grounded, will return in 2025. Grounded will once again feature illuminated artworks by both established and emerging Central Australian artists.

These much-loved installations will be joined by new creations, all designed to reflect the 2025 theme of ‘Timelessness’. Each year, Parrtjima highlights how artists innovate and experiment with different styles and materials, all while staying deeply connected to Country and culture.

Community, cultural exchange and connection

Parrtjima is more than an awe-inspiring visual display; it is a festival that fosters community, cultural exchange, and deeper connection. The name ‘Parrtjima’ roughly means ‘shedding both light and understanding’ in local Arrernte language.

Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO emphasises the festival’s importance, saying, “Now, more than ever, we need to experience Parrtjima, as it shines new light on age-old traditions and fresh expressions. It echoes the urgent need to honour the legacy of culture and the stories that connect us all across time.”

She highlights how the enduring wisdom of these connections nurtures resilience and unity in today’s world. “At Parrtjima, we are reminded by the Arrernte people that timeless culture invites us to experience, learn, and connect,” she explains.

Rhoda also believes in the arts’ transformative power as a unifying cultural thread. “Through storytelling and creativity, we have the opportunity to build a shared future, one that unites us while also honouring the timeless connections that sustain us all,” she says.

Parrtjima is deeply connected to the estates of Mparntwe, Antulye, and Irlpme, as well as the people tied to these lands. Many of these people have formed the Parrtjima Festival Reference Group (PFRG), which plays a vital role in guiding and shaping the festival’s vision.

Fun for the whole family

Parrtjima is a free, family-friendly festival that offers something for all ages. Kids will delight in chasing the patterns of Grounded, enjoying the dazzling MacDonnell Ranges Light Show, and exploring an array of vibrant, interactive artworks.

Beyond entertainment, Parrtjima provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce young ones to Aboriginal cultures in an accessible and authentic way, alongside food and drink stalls to keep spirits high.

Festivalgoers young and old will enjoy the return of the Blak Markets during Parrtjima’s opening weekend. This collaboration between Desart and the NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) offers a chance to admire and ethically purchase stunning creations, including paintings, jewellery, woodwork, prints, baskets, sculptures, and crafts from Central Australian art centres.

Music, comedy, film, talks, workshops and more

Parrtjima 2025 will ignite the desert with sound and light, featuring nightly live music performances throughout the festival. On the opening weekend, Australian country music icon Troy Cassar-Daley will take the stage, while closing weekend will feature a historic, ticketed performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra — marking the first orchestral performance in Parrtjima’s history.

The open-air spectacle will mesmerise audiences with an extraordinary fusion of music and light as the 50+ piece orchestra performs alongside renowned Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams, and Bronwyn Stuart. The evening will also feature Gurrulwa Guligi (Big Wind), a powerful cultural and artistic experience created by Bilawara Lee and Netanela Mizrahi, alongside a selection of orchestral classics.

Beyond music, Parrtjima will offer an array of engaging activities, including hands-on workshops, interactive demonstrations, thought-provoking talks, and comedy shows by Aboriginal comedians.

A gateway to the Red Centre

Parrtjima is the perfect chance for travellers to immerse themselves in Aboriginal art and cultures while exploring the incredible landscapes of Australia’s Red Centre.

Alice Springs, the gateway to the Red Centre, offers easy access to the breathtaking outback swimming holes and sacred sites of the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges, as well as the hidden gems of the East MacDonnell Ranges. The town itself boasts unique wildlife encounters at the Kangaroo Sanctuary and Alice Springs Desert Park, along with a vibrant and quirky café scene that rivals those of Sydney and Melbourne.

The Central Australian desert is also one of the few places in the world where travellers can experience the southern hemisphere’s night sky at its clearest. For astronomy enthusiasts, Alice hosts world-class stargazing experiences at locations like Earth Sanctuary and the nearby Rainbow Valley.

For those with extra time, an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way is a must. Begin in Alice Springs (Mparntwe) and travel through the striking Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges to Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, now listed as a National Heritage site. Continue to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Australia’s spiritual heart, and witness Uluṟu’s breathtaking colours transform from sunrise to sunset.