Aboriginal communities are the heartbeat of the Northern Territory’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

Coupled with a diverse, multicultural population shaped by the region’s proximity to Asia and rich history of migration, the NT has emerged as one of Australia’s most unique arts and culture powerhouses.

From exhibitions and awards to major festivals spanning food, fashion, theatre and more, don’t miss some of the NT’s best arts and culture events in 2025.

Here in part one, we cover arts and culture events in the Red Centre.

Visual arts

Parrtjima - A Festival in Light: 4–13 April

Parrtjima returns to Alice Springs (Mparntwe) for its 10th iteration from 4–13 April, celebrating Aboriginal art, culture and technology beneath Central Australia’s starry skies. This free, 10-night festival lights up the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges with stunning installations, Aboriginal art, live performances and, for the first time, an open-air performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra featuring Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams and Bronwyn Stuart.

Desert Mob: September – October

Desert Mob is the ultimate celebration of desert culture, bringing together hundreds of artists from across Australia to Alice Springs to showcase the richness of Aboriginal art. Held in the heart of the Red Centre, Desert Mob features an impressive lineup of works from artists affiliated with the Desart art centres, spanning the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The festival’s vibrant program includes an exhibition, symposium and marketplace where visitors can purchase ethically sourced art, plus studio tours, curator talks, hands-on art workshops, live music and more.

Cultural Festivals

fabALICE: 27–30 March
Inspired by the iconic cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, fabALICE extends Mardi Gras celebrations to Alice Springs (Mparntwe) each March. This family-friendly, multi-day festival celebrates the inclusivity and diversity of the Red Centre. Expect a dazzling extravaganza of drag, cabaret, comedy and community events, with something for all ages. The glitter-packed program features live performances, pop-up bars, street parades, drag queen-guided bus tours and a whole lot more.

Desert Festival: September
Desert Festival is Central Australia’s leading annual arts event, showcasing culture, community, and diversity across various art forms. Since its inception in 2001, this award-winning festival has brought desert stories to life through live music, dance, theatre, immersive experiences, light installations, workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions, all set amid the stunning backdrop of the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs.

Return for part two

We’re not finished with the Northern Territory’s arts and culture events yet! We’ll cover the Top End in part two.


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