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Alice Springs runs most of its festivals in the dry season between April and September, when the weather is warm by day and cool at night. The headline event is Parrtjima, a free light festival, followed by the Henley-on-Todd Regatta and the Camel Cup. Dates below are for the 2026 season; most recur on the same weekend each year, so cross-check the best time to visit Alice Springs calendar before you book.
Events in Alice Springs: April to June
Parrtjima: A Festival in Light
Parrtjima runs for ten nights each April (10-19 April in 2026) and is free to enter. Indigenous art is projected onto the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges along the Todd Mall precinct, alongside light installations, live music, and talks in the town centre covered by the Alice Springs neighbourhoods guide. It is the only authentic First Nations light festival of its kind in the world and draws about 20,000 visitors. Evenings start around 18:30, and the town centre closes to traffic for the duration.
Finke Desert Race
The Finke Desert Race is a two-day off-road race over roughly 460 km, held on the June Queen’s Birthday long weekend (8-9 June in 2026). Cars, bikes, buggies, and quads race from Alice Springs to the Aputula community and back along the old Ghan railway route, making it one of Australia’s toughest motorsport events. Spectating at the prologue on the Sunday before race day is free, and the start line near the town centre fills from dawn.
Alice Springs Beanie Festival
The Alice Springs Beanie Festival runs over four days in late June (25-28 June in 2026) at the Araluen Arts Centre. It began in 1997 and now shows more than 6,000 hand-knitted beanies from around Australia, with a competition, workshops, and sales. Entry is about A$5, and it is the largest beanie festival in the world. It is a good indoor option if a cold front drops June nights below freezing.
Events in Alice Springs: July and August
Alice Springs Camel Cup
The Alice Springs Camel Cup is held in July (Saturday 11 July in 2026) at Blatherskite Park on the southern edge of town. Riders race camels over a 400-metre track, with novelty events like the camel tug-of-war and the “camel-pede” alongside food stalls and a sideshow. Adult entry is about A$15, children about A$5, and gates open around 9:00. It runs on the same weekend as the Alice Springs Show, so the town is busy and hotels fill early.
Henley-on-Todd Regatta
The Henley-on-Todd Regatta, on the third Saturday of August (15 August 2026), is billed as the world’s only dry-river boat race. Teams run down the sandy Todd River bed holding bottomless boat frames in Flintstones-style races, with events like the Bring Your Own Boat race and a water-fight Battle of the Gun Boats. Entry is free to watch from 10:30 to 17:00. The whole thing is cancelled only if the river actually has water in it, which has happened a handful of times since 1962.
Events in Alice Springs: September Onwards
Desert Festival
The Desert Festival, a performing arts program of theatre, music, and visual art, runs for about 12 days from late August into September, mostly at venues across the town centre. It is the Red Centre’s main arts festival and includes outdoor performances and a closing-night concert. Ticket prices vary by show, with several free outdoor events, and the program is released in June each year.
Alice Springs Masters Games
The Alice Springs Masters Games is a biennial multi-sport event for athletes over 30, next held in October 2026. It draws several thousand competitors across about 30 sports, from athletics and swimming to darts and lawn bowls. It uses venues across town including the aquatic centre and Traeger Park, and spectator entry to most events is free. Book accommodation early through the where to stay in Alice Springs guide, since beds sell out, and use the Alice Springs travel tips page for getting between venues.
For the full calendar and how to plan around heat and cold, see the Alice Springs weather by month guide and the things to do in Alice Springs list for daytime sights between events.
