The 10th edition of Parrtjima - A Festival in Light returns this Friday, 4 April, to illuminate the Red Centre in a celebration of First Nations art, culture, and technology beneath an endless sky.
Set against the 300-million-year-old backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in spectacular light installations and experience Aboriginal culture through art, workshops, music, and talks during the free 10-night festival from 4-13 April.
This year's theme, Timelessness, highlights the enduring bond between generations, using contemporary technologies to shine new light on age-old traditions. Through music, song, and oral storytelling, the festival honours ancestral wisdom while embracing artistic expressions.
A Welcome to Country by the Arrernte people, will officially open the festival. Visitors can also engage in cultural experiences such as sand painting an interactive workshop on Hermannsburg watercolour, presented by the Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre.
Rising local Territorian singer-songwriter MARLON, who has collaborated with the likes of Hilltop Hoods, 3%, and A.B. Original, will be the festival's opening night act. Live music will feature throughout the event, with performances by country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley, Warren H. Williams, Bumpy, and DOBBY. Adding to excitement the festival's inaugural comedy night on Thursday, 10 April, will showcase stand-up sets by Andy Saunders and Sean Choolburra.
The popular Desart Members Art Centres & NTIBN Buy Blak Markets return on Friday and Saturday of the opening weekend, offering festivalgoers the chance to explore and purchase stunning paintings, woodwork, prints, baskets, sculptures, and crafts from some of Central Australia's leading Indigenous art centres.
In another exciting debut, Parrtjima 2025 will include a special performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, 12 April. In a breathtaking fusion of music and light, more than 50 musicians will perform alongside the Desert Divas - Catherine Satour, Casii Williams, and Bronwyn Stuart. The night will also present a performance of Gurrulwa Guligi (Big Wind) by Bilawara Lee and Netanela Mizrahi, creating an unforgettable festival finale.
The free, all-ages event will unveil four stunning new installations from emerging and established artists, including:
· Molly Hunt's Three Generations of Station Women,
· Bobby West Tjupurrula's Hypnotic Reverberations,
· Lyall Giles' Transforming Light & Country.
· The Gateway - a collaborative effort by artists from Alice Springs' three estate groups (Antulye, Irlpme, and Mparntwe) - welcomes visitors to Alice Springs Desert Park through a series of individually hand-painted, towering poles arranged to spell out the greeting "werte" (hello).
The renowned MacDonnell Ranges Light Show will again dazzle audiences with a largescale spectacle of light and sound. Grounded a beloved interactive installation returns to transform the red earth into a living canvas, projecting animal footprints, clan symbols, and wildflowers to evoke the timeless tradition of ceremony.
A series of hands-on workshops, interactive demonstrations, and talks will run throughout the festival, including bushfood cooking demonstrations by celebrated chefs Rayleen Brown and Mark Olive, weaving workshops with Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO, and an opportunity to explore the iconic watercolour and pottery techniques of the Hermannsburg artists.
Parrtjima is free to attend, with the spectacular site at Alice Springs Desert Park open from 6 pm to 10 pm nightly. Follow Parrtjima Australia on social media for all the latest information or visit: parrtjima.com.au here
Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Interim CEO, Trevor Cox:
"Parrtjima is a wonderful immersive light festival that champions Aboriginal art and culture in the heart of Australia. This year will be extra special as we celebrate 10 years of this award-winning festival.
Visitors can learn about the world's oldest living culture through art, workshops, talks, and more at Parrtjima, while also exploring the stunning landscapes, unique tourism experiences, and distinctive hospitality offerings that Central Australia has to offer."
Quotes from Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO:
"In the heart of Australia, at Parrtjima we celebrate the rich tapestry of Central and Western Desert artists, their deep affiliation with the land, and the timeless expressions that connect their art to the landscape and environment, reflecting an enduring spirit.
"I am so excited, because this year, when you join us, you won't just experience the art and installations-you'll get so much more! There is our comedy night, the Desart Members Art Centres & NTIBN Buy Blak Markets, and we feature an incredible music spectacle with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. It's an unforgettable celebration here at Mparntwe Alice Springs."
