The Red Centre comes alive during the festival season. Ancient landscapes meet bold creativity and desert towns pulse with energy. From large-scale light installations to vibrant festivals and cultural events in Central Australia, the Northern Territory offers experiences that go far beyond sightseeing.
AAT Kings Northern Territory tours make it easy to explore the icons of Central Australia while leaving space to discover what is happening locally. You can watch the sunrise over Uluru, walk through Kings Canyon, then spend your free time immersed in Alice Springs events and festivals, and celebrate Aboriginal culture and community.
Feel the Northern Territory for real – different in every sense. This isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel.
FabALICE
26 – 29 March 2026
Taking inspiration from the cult classic, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, that introduced the world to the stunning Red Centre, this iconic event delivers energy and excitement through drag artistry. From vibrant pop-up events to bustling night markets and lively parties, a spectrum of experiences awaits. Each promising its own slice of excitement and local flavour.
It is a playful and inclusive atmosphere that is distinctly central Central Australian, where the desert meets sequins and self-expression.
For those arriving in Alice Springs, FabALICE offers a dynamic opportunity to explore Alice Springs beyond the tourist attractions. Spend your day discovering the magic of the Red Centre, and then enjoy the sparkle, laughter, and outback charm of the evening.
Explore the festival here: FabALICE Festival
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light
10 – 19 April 2026
Every year, the MacDonnell Ranges transform into a bright gallery when Parrtjima lights up Alice Springs.
Honouring Aboriginal culture and story-telling, Parrtjima combines ancient culture and state-of-the-art projection technology to produce a visually striking event. Large-scale light art fills the landscape and portrays stories deeply connected with Country.
Based in Mparntwe, the festival is created in close partnership with traditional custodians and the Aboriginal community, ensuring the program truly captures the dynamism and creativity of the world’s oldest living cultures.
Visitors have an opportunity to walk through immersive installations, listen to live music, watch performances, attend talks and workshops, and observe the desert sceneries at night.
Overall, for AAT Kings tourists based in Alice Springs as part of their tour, Parrtjima is a truly remarkable way to experience cultural events in Central Australia beyond the well-known icons of the Red Centre. Daytime exploring and nighttime vistas of the ranges shining through a blanket of stars.
Explore the festival here: Parrtjima 2026 Festival
Todd Mall Markets
17 August 2025 – 6 December 2026
The Todd Mall Market is a cherished Alice Springs tradition, bringing locals and visitors together for almost four decades. Set beneath wide desert skies in the heart of town, this not for profit market captures the creative spirit and warmth of the Red Centre community.
From March to December, Todd Mall transforms into a lively gathering place filled with colour, conversation and craftsmanship. Stalls showcase handcrafted jewellery, locally inspired artworks, artisan food, wellbeing products, honey, books and thoughtful treasures that reflect life in Central Australia.
More than a place to shop, the market is about connection. Wander at your own pace, chat with passionate stallholders and experience the relaxed rhythm of a morning in Alice Springs. The Todd Mall Market remains an enduring and much loved part of the town’s story.
Explore the festival here: Todd Hall Markets
Run Larapinta
14 – 17 August 2026
Run Larapinta is a trail running event that offers participants a chance to venture deep into the heart of the Red Centre.
The trail passes through the MacDonnell Ranges, which provide dramatic views along the ridges, rugged gorges, and the sheer desert landscape that seems to be timeless. Every step is framed by awe-inspiring views that accentuate the untamed beauty of Central Australia.
Rather than being just a contest, Run Larapinta is a celebration of connection. Runners converge from all over the country, bonding over the challenge of the outback landscape. Run Larapinta represents an opportunity to experience the passion of being in a festival, even if you’re not on the trail yourself.
Explore the event here: Run Larapinta 2026
Red Dirt Poetry Fest
20 – 23 August 2026
The Red Dirt Poetry Festival brings words to life in Alice Springs with four days of spoken word, performances and workshops.
The festival features a range of both known and new writers and offers live readings, curated readings, commissioned works, and the opportunity to connect with the writers. It is a celebration of creative expression and connection, as well as the poetry styles of the Northern Territory and Australia.
In your free time with AAT Kings, the festival is an opportunity to experience Alice Springs from a different point of view. Your day can be spent exploring the famous landscapes of the Red Centre and then an evening indulging in the atmosphere of a local arts community.
Learn more here: Red Dirt Poetry Festival
Desert Mob
10 September – 25 October 2026
Desert Mob is a celebration of Aboriginal culture and art set in the heart of Alice Springs.
The festival brings together hundreds of artists from Central Australia in a dynamic program including exhibitions, markets, artist talks, workshops, and live performances. From the opening night to studio visits and evening curator talks, Desert Mob encourages people to explore the richness and diversity of desert art and stories.
For AAT Kings travelers, it’s a chance to see the creative energy of the Red Centre, as well as some of our iconic landmarks. You could spend your days trekking through Uluru, Kata Tjuta, or the West MacDonnell Ranges, but at night, you could experience Desert Mob’s dynamic events.
Organised and presented by Desart, the peak organisation for Central Australian Aboriginal Arts Centres, Desert Mob is one of Australia’s longest running and most popular celebrations of art galleries, Aboriginal culture, and unique experiences in the Australian Outback.
Explore the festival here: Desert Mob festival in Alice Springs