A Festival in Light has unveiled its full program for the milestone 10th edition, set to illuminate Alice Springs (Mparntwe) from 4–13 April 2025.
As the only Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima 2025 will showcase the works of more than 20 First Nations artists across six major installations, alongside more than 100 performers and special guests spanning music, comedy, art, workshops, talks and more.
The free, all-ages event will debut four new dazzling installations this year, featuring a diverse mix of emerging and established artists. Visitors can look forward to immersive experiences, each offering fresh artistic perspectives to the festival’s ever-evolving creative landscape.
For 10 magical nights on Arrernte Country, Parrtjima will bring the world’s oldest living culture to life with captivating light displays and modern technology, all set against the star-studded skies of Central Australia and the awe-inspiring, 300-million-year-old Tjoritja/MacDonnell Ranges.
New installations and artists set to shine
Parrtjima 2025 will feature four stunning new installations by award-winning and emerging Aboriginal artists that celebrate cultural continuity and storytelling, all inspired by this year’s festival theme, ‘Timelessness’.
Three Generations of Station Women by Balanggarra and Yolŋu artist Molly Hunt pays tribute to the resilience and strength of three generations of Aboriginal stockwomen in an animated comic strip. This cinematic experience will be enriched by an original soundtrack composed by Australian actor Mark Coles Smith.
Hypnotic Reverberations will immerse visitors in Bobby West Tjupurrula’s Country, where beams of light dance through mist and reflect across a shallow pool, forming ever-shifting dreamscapes that evoke the spirit of the land. Bobby West Tjupurrula won the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2011 and is son of Freddy West Tjupurrula, one of the original shareholders of Papunya Tula Artists.
Transforming Light & Country invites festivalgoers to engage with Lyall Giles’ intricate sand dune patterns. By activating drums, guests will trigger dynamic rings of light and immersive natural soundscapes, highlighting the deep connection between ancient landforms and life-giving waterholes. Giles, an exciting and dynamic artist, is the most senior wati (man) in Tjukurla and is entrusted with preserving a vast library of stories in his head. Though he has shared these stories for many years, it is only recently that he has begun painting them.
At the festival’s entrance, The Gateway will stand as a powerful welcome, featuring towering poles created collaboratively by artists from Alice Springs’ three estate groups – Antulye, Irlpme, and Mparntwe.
Festival favourites Grounded and the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show will make their highly anticipated returns in 2025. The MacDonnell Ranges Light Show will offer a breathtaking fusion of contemporary classical music and Arrernte language, paying tribute to the deep spiritual connection to the land. Meanwhile, Grounded will captivate audiences with a large-scale projection, where six striking Indigenous artworks transform the red earth into a luminous, ever-shifting canvas beneath visitors’ feet.
Interactive and immersive workshops
Parrtjima 2025 will present an exciting lineup of interactive workshops, offering festivalgoers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse cultural traditions and artistic expressions.
Highlights include a watercolour painting session with local art centre Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands, where participants can explore the renowned Hermannsburg style made famous by Central Australian Aboriginal art legend, Albert Namatjira. Parrtjima Curator and Bundjalung woman Rhoda Roberts AO will lead a weaving workshop, while Muruwari musician Dobby will lead a high-energy drumming workshop, blending traditional Indigenous beats with contemporary percussion.
Bushfoods and traditional recipes will be the focus of a special session with Rayleen Brown (Kungkas Can Cook) and Bundjalung chef Mark Olive (Midden by Mark Olive, Sydney Opera House), while renowned language holder and ecologist Veronica Perrule Dobson will share insights into the medicinal properties of native plants in Aboriginal healing.
Thought-provoking talks
Parrtjima 2025 will feature a compelling series of talks and ‘in conversation’ sessions with some of Australia’s most influential Indigenous voices. Covering a diverse range of topics – including the power of media, music, art, and communication, as well as cultural economies and pathways to change – these discussions will offer deep insights and inspiration.
From the fusion of tradition and technology to the power of radio and rap as modern tools for connection, these sessions will challenge perspectives and celebrate the enduring strength of First Nations voices. Conversations will explore the ways that creativity can shape identity, the responsibility of cultural custodianship, and how storytelling continues to drive change – whether through country music, cinema, or the painted lines of an artwork.
Notable guests and speakers include Arrernte filmmaker and producer Rachel Perkins, along with kinship, language, and cultural reclamation expert Michael Liddle. Community leader and advocate Armani Francois will also take the stage, along with ABC Radio National’s Rudi Bremer and Australian country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley.
Music, comedy and markets
Parrtjima 2025 will feature nightly live performances and special comedy acts. The festival’s opening weekend will see Troy Cassar-Daley take the stage to perform his only free performance announced for the remainder of 2025, and his only free gig scheduled for 2025 in Outback Australia.
The festival’s closing weekend will feature an historic, ticketed performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra – marking the first orchestral performance in Parrtjima’s history. The unforgettable open-air event will immerse audiences in a stunning fusion of music and light as the 50+ piece orchestra plays alongside acclaimed Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams, and Bronwyn Stuart.
Other musical highlights will include singer-songwriter Bumpy, hip-hop group Dem Mob, and Warren H Williams & Western Wind.
The festival’s first-ever comedy night, set for Thursday, 10 April 2025, will deliver plenty of laughs with stand-up performances by Andy Saunders and Sean Choolburra.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to the return of the Blak Markets during Parrtjima’s opening weekend. This collaboration between Desart and the NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) provides a unique opportunity to explore and ethically purchase First Nations creations, from paintings and jewellery to woodwork, prints, baskets, sculptures, and handcrafted pieces from Central Australian art centres and businesses.
Northern Territory Major Events Company, Interim CEO, Trevor Cox, said:
“Parrtjima – A Festival in Light provides a powerful opportunity to engage with Aboriginal culture, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation that can be shared with the world. The program not only entertains but challenges visitors to reflect on the profound impact of Aboriginal culture, right in the heart of Australia.
“The festival plays a crucial role in connecting the community, offering a chance for both locals and visitors to engage with traditions, stories, and practices, as well as giving people the perfect opportunity to stay and explore the region. From tours and bush walks to historical sites, there’s so much to see and experience.
“As one of the Red Centre’s largest events, Parrtjima continues to grow in both scale and significance. This award-winning festival illuminates the world’s oldest continuous living culture through modern technology.”
Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO, said:
“More than ever, this year we all need to experience Parrtjima, as the festival continues to shine new light on age-old traditions and fresh expressions. Echoing the legacy of culture and the stories that connect us all across time. Come and feel the red earth beneath your feet as you look up at the magic that is Arrernte country as we illuminate the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.”
We Are Gather Director and Co-Founder, Naomi Wilson, said:
“We Are Gather works on events that leave a lasting legacy, driving destination appeal and community engagement – and Parrtjima does just that. As we enter the 10th edition of Parrtjima, we’re excited to present a supercharged celebration of people, culture, and place. The interactive program offers something for everyone – whether you’re keen to learn, participate, or simply enjoy the incredible lightworks on display. It’s a true privilege to be part of an event that showcases the richness of Aboriginal culture and connects people from all walks of life.”
Grumpy Sailor CEO, James Boyce, said:
“Grumpy Sailor is so proud to have been part of Parrtjima as Creative Directors. Helping Mparntwe (Alice Springs) shine on the national stage was an incredible experience, and we loved helping to bring stories of hope, positivity, and the Dreamtime to life.
“Working with the artists, we’ve tried our best to come up with truly unique ways to honour and celebrate Indigenous art, artists, and stories on Country. After taking out the 2024 Australian Event Awards Tourism Event of the Year, this year’s 10th edition needed to be truly special, and we can’t wait for visitors to see how we’ve managed to build on last year’s epic program.”
Parrtjima is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) in partnership with events destination company We Are Gather and Creative Directors Grumpy Sailor.
The much-loved festival continues to make a significant social and economic impact on the Northern Territory. Parrtjima 2024 attracted over 21,000 attendances, generating $9.42 million for the Alice Springs economy.
Tickets for the Darwin Symphony Orchestra performance are available via the Parrtjima website and select travel partners. Limited free tickets for certain areas will be released closer to the event, along with a small number of tickets at the door.
Free registration for Parrtjima 2025 is available now at: parrtjima.com.au
