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Australia’s dusty red desert is set to sparkle more than ever in 2026 thanks to the return of our nation’s biggest light and art spectacular – Parrtjima Festival – from April 10 to 19. It’s not too early to submit those leave requests and start planning your trip, as registrations for this must-see First Nations celebration are already open. And the best part? Entry is completely free.
Parrtjima (pronounced Par-chee-ma) takes its name from the Arrernte word parrtjima, which means ‘lighting up’ in two ways – both illuminating an object and shedding light on a subject. Billed as the only Aboriginal light festival of its kind in the world, Parrtjima shares timeless stories of the world’s oldest continuous culture through innovative art installations and large-scale projections. This all ties into the festival’s 11th-anniversary theme, ‘language’, which will celebrate the enduring connection between generations through sound and storytelling.
Shining bright under the starry skies of Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Parrtjima Festival 2026 is set to bring back crowd-favourite installations, including the Ranges Light Show, which illuminates almost two kilometres of the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. Also returning is the interactive Grounded installation, which projects animated artwork onto the red sand of Alice Springs Desert Park with a spectacular accompanying soundscape.
In 2026, visitors will be dazzled by three powerful new installations: The Language of Soaks, illuminating the hidden water sources of desert Country; The Language of Goolarrgon Bard, celebrating the legacy of traditional carved knowledge; and The Language of Wati Ngintaka (Perentie Lizard Man), honouring the wisdom of Reggie Uluru, one of the region’s most senior living custodians.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to unforgettable opening weekend concerts by Electric Fields and 3%, along with nightly live music performances for the full ten-day fest. The Blak Markets will return for another season too, with an epic line-up of free bush food cooking demonstrations; clay, sand painting and screen printing workshops; language classes and more.
You can check out the full program and register for free tickets to Parrtjima Festival here.