Parrtjima 2026 has kicked off in spectacular fashion, celebrating its biggest opening weekend in the festival’s history. Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, nearly 8,300 attendances were recorded, with the opening night marking the second-largest crowd ever — a strong start as visitors flocked to Mparntwe (Alice Springs) to experience the magic of Parrtjima.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, the festival opened under a star-filled Central Australian sky with a powerful performance by Electric Fields. The multi-award-winning duo brought their signature fusion of soul, language and culture to the Gathering Ground stage, captivating a diverse crowd and setting the tone for the nights ahead.
Saturday night continued the momentum, with First Nations supergroup 3% delivering a deeply personal and emotional performance. Showcasing the strength of contemporary Indigenous music and the power of collaboration across communities, the set featured a standout moment when local artist Mikel joined the group on stage — just 24 hours after participating in a songwriting workshop with band member Nooky.
The opening weekend wrapped on Sunday with a memorable performance by Paul Ah Chee and special guests, alongside heartfelt tributes to the late Parrtjima Curator, Rhoda Roberts AO.
The much-loved Parrtjima Blak Markets also returned, with 16 stallholders presenting an incredible range of paintings, woodwork, prints, baskets, sculptures and handcrafted pieces from leading Central Australian and Northern Territory Indigenous artists and art centres.
While the opening weekend has set a high bar, there’s plenty more to come.
This week at the Gathering Ground, audiences can look forward to an exciting mix of music and conversation. Emma Donovan will take to the stage on Friday for both an In Conversation session and a live performance, while appearances from the Parrtjima Reference Group, festival artist Nina Fitzgerald and singer-songwriter BARKAA will offer deeper insight into culture, creativity and storytelling.
Music continues throughout the week with performances from a duo of Territory band Drifting Clouds — a family group from Gapuwiyak known for blending synth-pop, ’80s rock, country and reggae — alongside a strong lineup of Central Australian talent. Artists still to come include Alice Kings, a young and predominantly Indigenous MC group from Mparntwe, guitarist and songwriter Damien Armstrong, and singer-songwriter Kirra Voller. The festival will close on a high note with party band Sneaky Train on Sunday night.
Beyond the stage, Parrtjima invites visitors to get hands-on with a rich program of workshops, demonstrations and talks. From native bush spice experiences with renowned local chef Rayleen Brown, to sand painting talks, Arrernte language sessions with Children’s Ground, soft sculpture workshops with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, and opportunities to explore clay-making traditions with Hermannsburg artists — there’s something to inspire audiences of all ages.
Parrtjima 2026 runs until 19 April and is free to attend. The Alice Springs Desert Park site is open nightly from 6pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 6pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, with food stalls available on site.
