Event Dates
From: Friday, April 12, 2024
To: Sunday, April 21, 2024
Parrtjima is the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind; a unique experience.
Parrtjima (pronounced Par-chee-ma) is the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind and is celebrated each April in breathtaking Alice Springs. Each year this free event celebrates the ways in which artists evolve and experiment with different styles and materials, while staying true to Country and culture.
- With thousands of visitors and just 20 hotels, you should book your trip to Alice Springs well in advance. The Crown Plaza has a stunning pool, excellent gym, large rooms and perfect location.
The Ranges Light Show
Come for the festival fun, but stay for the rich history, incredible sightseeing and an authentic, memorable experience. Experience thousands of years of culture in a single moment. Open your heart, in the heart of Country. Leave your expectations behind. BE CHANGED.
- The theme for the festival’s ninth iteration is ‘Interconnectedness’, embodying how everything in Indigenous culture is connected, with a particular focus on planting seasons and Indigenous Australians’ connection with the land and kwatye (meaning both water and rain) – which ultimately, connects us all.
- With free entry over 10 nights, the light installations set against the majestic MacDonnell Ranges make this is the ULTIMATE cultural and outback experience! Look up and let your spirit soar as the annual Parrtjima Festival connects us all through story, art, landscape and light in the heart of Australia – Alice Springs.
- Alongside the artworks you can enjoy a program packed full of live talks, events and music by local and national musicians.
- The Lighting of the MacDonnell Ranges show is best viewed from 7pm at the earliest due to the levels of daylight.
- Daily flights to Alice Springs and Uluru operate from every major city. Qantas and Virgin Australia fly in and out of Alice Springs
New in 2024
- In 2024, Parrtjima introduces an extraordinary new feature: Arelhe Urrperle, a six-meter-tall puppet weighing 600 kilograms, which will wander Desert Park narrating Indigenous tales and language.
- Additionally, for the first time, the festival will host a three-night marketplace, spotlighting local Aboriginal businesses and their food and products.
MacDonnell Ranges
- The MacDonnell Ranges are a prominent mountain system located in the south-central part of the Northern Territory, Australia.
- These ranges feature a series of parallel ridges composed mainly of bare quartzite and sandstone. The MacDonnell Ranges elevate from a plateau that is approximately 2,000 feet (around 600 meters) above sea level.
- Stretching for about 230 miles (approximately 380 kilometers), these ranges extend both east and west of Alice Springs, a key town in the region.
- This geographical feature is significant for its scenic beauty, geological interest, and the cultural importance it holds for the local Indigenous populations.
What to see in Alice Springs?
- Alice Springs has long been a diverse town, a little rainbow bubble in the centre of Australia and home to the FABAlice Festival.
- The city is a mirage in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre and is the perfect stopping off point for one of the world’s great wonders, Ayers Rock/Uluru.
Where to Stay
The following hotels are close to all of the light installations in Alice Springs:
Desert Palms, DoubleTree by Hilton, Quest Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Double Tree is where we stay when
we visit Alice Springs. Close to everything
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Parrtjima – A Festival in Light