Over the past decade, Parrtjima has become one of the most significant events in the Northern Territory. This annual ten-day event is held on Mparntwe Country (Alice Springs) and is connected to the estates of Mparntwe, Antulye and Irlpme.
Every year, visitors come from around the globe to celebrate Country and culture through artworks, performances, music, talks, workshops and a stunning light show displayed across a 300-million-year-old natural canvas.
Naomi Wilson is Project Director at We Are Gather, the event delivery partner that organises Parrtjima, in collaboration with the Parrtjima Festival Reference Group (PFRG). ‘This will be my third Parrtjima Festival out of the eleven,’ Wilson says. ‘And I think what we’ve seen in the last three years of working on it is really looking at celebrating and illuminating Aboriginal culture through all different areas.’
Naomi describes Parrtjima as, ‘a place where it feels safe and accessible for you to learn. A place to speak to artists, and connect with traditional owners and Elders. It’s an opportunity to learn – and be immersed in – Aboriginal culture, in a really positive and beautiful environment.’
When asked about the atmosphere of the festival, Naomi mentions the family-friendly format of the program, which aims to educate and connect, as well as entertain and delight. ‘The whole idea is to be able to be interactive. To become really immersed, and take part in learning about Aboriginal culture.’
The 2026 festival theme of Language honours the power of language, inviting visitors to engage with installations and experiences that incorporate ancient traditions with contemporary expressions.
‘I think it’s a really important theme this year, to really celebrate and bring to life language within the festival program,’ Wilson explains. ‘Language weaves together everything in Aboriginal culture, and it’s important to celebrate that.’
In 2026, interactive language workshops will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn words, phrases and meanings unique to Country, connecting visitors with the living spirit of language, both as a means of communication and as a bridge between people and Place.
The 2026 opening Weekend will feature a Welcome Ceremony, performances by Electric Fields and the return of the Blak Market.
‘We’ve introduced Blak Market in the last two years,’ Wilson says. ‘I think it’s a really great offering, to be able to come to the festival and purchase goods from Aboriginal businesses. These include a range of things, from art and jewellery, to food and bush medicines. The Blak Market is really about celebrating and providing a platform for Aboriginal businesses.”
‘We’ve also introduced more learning around Aboriginal bush foods and bush medicines, from the history and the culture, to how it can be used today,’ Wilson says, in reference to a series of free workshops split across two weekends. These workshops include an introduction to bush food, in which attendees will create their own spice mixes to take home with them.
‘We also have a new sand painting workshop, which we did in 2025, and which we will build on for 2026. It’s a really beautiful, hands-on workshop, where you get to sit down with local traditional artists and learn about the importance of sand painting within culture. You’ll also get the chance to be able to do some sand painting yourself.’
Parrtjima’s workshops intentionally celebrate the ways in which artists evolve and experiment, with a focus on storytelling and knowledge-sharing. ‘You can sit down with the artists and learn about things like watercolour painting,’ says Wilson, who is as excited about the workshops as she is about the music, talks, and world-class installations that will feature at next year’s festival.
Across the festival, artworks such as these will illuminate stories, language, and culture, bringing the desert to life alongside the light shows, performance pieces, music, film and talks that make Parrtjima such a unique, multi-faceted experience.
The engaging program of interactive workshops and art installations are immersive additions to the festival, but light still lies at the heart of Parrtjima. The Ranges Light Show illuminates the 300-million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges, using modern technology to showcase the world’s oldest continuous culture.
‘We have the Ranges Show,’ Wilson adds, ‘through which audiences will become connected to culture. We’re working with this with our Reference Group at the moment, to share a local story, through lights on the Ranges.’
Naomi emphasises that Parrtjima is ‘more than just a lights festival. It is a really approachable festival to really get immersed in Aboriginal culture, and to celebrate that culture together.’
Parrtjima returns to the heart of Australia from 10–19 April 2026, offering a breathtaking celebration of culture, art and technology beneath the starry skies of the Red Centre.
Parrtjima is free to attend. By registering for Any Day Festival Admission, attendees can access the venue on any evening throughout the festival, with tickets valid for multiple nights. Speakers and workshop sessions will begin at 6:45pm, followed by live music performances each night from 7:30pm. Find out more on the Parrtjima Festival website.
