Hot off the heels of a hugely successful launch this week of the next phase of the NT Visitor Economy Strategy 2032, Alice Springs has even more reason to sparkle and shine, with fabALICE, Parrtjima, the Tatts Finke Desert Race, Red CentreNATS, the Alice Springs Masters Games, the Melbourne Demons AFL match and the 30th Alice Springs Beanie Festival all set to bring colour, culture, competition and celebration to the heart of Australia.
The festivities begin today, with fabALICE kicking off the 2026 events calendar from 26 - 29 March and transforming the town into a vibrant celebration of drag, cabaret and community pride. Visitors can expect dazzling performances, parties, family‑friendly entertainment and the signature desert sparkle that makes fabALICE unlike any other Pride festival in the country.
Momentum continues as Parrtjima lights up Mparntwe from 10-19 April, celebrating the world's oldest living cultures through large‑scale light installations, art, music and storytelling. Set against the MacDonnell Ranges, Parrtjima offers a powerful cultural experience unique to the Red Centre.
From 5-8 June, the Tatts Finke Desert Race marks its 51st year as one of the world's toughest off‑road challenges, drawing competitors and spectators from across Australia for two days of high‑octane racing across desert terrain.
The beloved Alice Springs Beanie Festival celebrates its 30th year shortly after from the 19-22 June, bringing thousands of handmade beanies, workshops, exhibitions and community spirit to town, a quirky, creative event that has become a Territory icon.
A big sporting highlight arrives on 31 May, when the Melbourne Demons take on the GWS Giants in Alice Springs. The annual AFL match brings elite footy to the Red Centre, attracting fans from across the NT and interstate for a blockbuster clash under the starry skies.
The Red Dirt Poetry Festival 20-23 August returns in 2026 for its 11th year for three days of magic for lovers of poetry, spoken word and storytelling in the heart of Central Australia for a space of creation, display, performance and a place for new connections to be made.
Red CentreNATS returns with the event expanding to four days of adrenaline-fueled action from Thursday, September 3 to Sunday, September 6, 2026. The program will again feature Australia's largest street parade, showcasing everything from hot rods and motorbikes to elite and vintage rides cruising through the heart of town.
Over 30 art centres will be on display when Desert Mob returns from 10 September to 25 October. The festival brings hundreds of artists together to celebrate desert culture in the heart of Australia, featuring a major Exhibition, Artist Talks, Marketplace, public programs and satellite events across Alice Springs.
The Alice Springs Masters Games rounds out the year from 10 - 17 October, bringing athletes from across the country together to compete, connect and celebrate sport in Central Australia. Celebrating 40 years since its inception in 1986, the 2026 event marks the 19th edition of the beloved 'Friendly Games'.
Together, these events draw thousands of visitors, support local businesses and showcase the Territory's unique energy to the world. Alice Springs continues to prove why the Northern Territory is one of the most exciting places to visit in 2026, a place where adventure, culture and creativity collide under the vast desert sky.
