Parrtjima 2026 returns to Mparntwe (Alice Springs) from 10–19 April 2026, and we’re inviting you to join us for ten unforgettable nights under the desert sky.
Next year, we’ll once again transform the desert into a meeting place for story, culture and creativity, with an immersive nightly experience that encourages you to stay longer, slow down, and come back across multiple evenings to discover something new each time.
The opening weekend will set the tone for what’s to come. On Friday, 10 April, we’ll begin with a beautiful traditional Welcome Ceremony, before you experience a goosebump-worthy performance by Electric Fields, as they bring their powerful blend of electronic music and soaring vocals to the heart of the desert. Across Friday and Saturday, you’ll also be able to explore the Blak Markets, where you can discover art, products and creations from Aboriginal businesses and makers.
As the sun sets, we’ll showcase some of the best musical talent around with live music under the desert sky each night. You can gather with family and friends, soak up the ambience, grab a bite to eat from the food stalls, and experience Parrtjima at your own pace.
We’re also planning a range of interactive workshops across the ten nights, giving you more ways to connect with art, culture and story. In these sessions, you’ll be able to sit with artists and cultural practitioners, get hands-on with making, and learn in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Some workshops will be short tasters you can drop into between exploring the installations and enjoying the music, while others will run a little longer so you can settle in, ask questions and create something to take home.
You can expect family-friendly options, activities that explore language in engaging ways, and sessions that shine a light on the knowledge and practice behind bush foods and everyday creativity.
Alongside this, we’re shaping a rich talks and In Conversation program that will give you the chance to listen, reflect and go deeper. These sessions will bring together artists, performers, Elders and cultural leaders to share the stories behind their work, talk about their connection to Country and explore the ideas at the heart of culture. You’ll be able to sit down and gain a different perspective on how we illuminate the world’s oldest living culture.
Crowd favourites including the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show and the Grounded installation will return, giving you the chance to see these much-loved centrepieces in new ways. They’ll sit alongside stunning new works inspired by this year’s theme of Language, inviting you to reflect on the stories, perspectives and connections shared through light and sound.
Across its ten nights, Parrtjima 2026 will offer a rich, layered experience – from the stunning stories told through light to the intimacy of browsing the markets or taking part in a workshop – all set against the iconic backdrop of the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges.
We’ll be sharing further details about this year’s full nightly experience in the coming months – so keep your eyes on our socials and get planning, because you don’t want to miss Parrtjima 2026.
