Set to return to Mparntwe for its 10th iteration in April 2025, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will offer a spectacular celebration of culture, art, and technology under the starry skies of Central Australia.
Visitor registrations are now officially open for Parrtjima 2025, allowing free entry to the festival with costed tickets also available to purchase for a special closing-weekend performance by Darwin Symphony Orchestra — the first orchestral performance in Parrtjima's history.
The open-air performance will awe festival-goers with an engaging 75-minute music and light spectacle as Darwin Symphony Orchestra plays alongside celebrated Central Australian Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams, and Bronwyn Stuart, and more.
"We are thrilled to have the entire Darwin Symphony Orchestra playing at Parrtjima- Festival in Light as part of our Territory Tour," said Darwin Symphony Orchestra general manager Kate Stephens.
"This will be an unforgettable experience, not just for us, but for everyone who joins us at Desert Park. It's a performance you won't want to miss."
When it comes to entertainment and performances, the festivals opening weekend (April 4-6) will see Troy Cassar-Daley perform on Saturday with Blak Markets and workshops returning on Friday and Saturday evening. Live music performances will take place each night across the festival adding to the stunning installations.
Celebrated as the only Indigenous light festival of its kind in the world, Parrtjima honours the oldest continuous cultures on Earth through stunning light installations and performances, set against the ancient MacDonnell Ranges, a 300-million-year-old natural canvas.
Under the guidance of the Parrtjima Festival Reference Group and Curator Rhoda Roberts AO, Parrtjima showcases Aboriginal culture through immersive experiences that foster connections across generations.
To mark its special 10th iteration, the 2025 theme is Timelessness - celebrating and highlighting the enduring connection between generations through music, song, and oral storytelling.
Staged annually at Alice Springs Desert Park, the event explores how contemporary technology can showcase ancient cultural expressions, while honouring sacred traditions that link us to ancestors and the wisdom of the past.
Along with the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show, Parrtjima's much-loved Grounded installation returns in 2025.
Grounded is an interactive projection of animated artworks by established and emerging Central Australian artists. The festival will also include several new installations designed to represent the theme of Timelessness. The closing weekend will also include bush food workshops.
Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) acting chief executive officer Trevor Cox said 2025 will be a milestone year for Parrtjima.
"2025 will be a milestone year for Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. As it celebrates its 10th iteration, the festival will feature a once-in-a-lifetime performance by the full Darwin Symphony Orchestra as part of their Territory Tour, marking a major highlight of the event," he said.
"As one of the Red Centre's biggest events, Parrtjima continues to grow in both scale and significance. The festival continues to highlight the importance to the local community and the broader Northern Territory. As Parrtjima evolves, we want more visitors from across Australia and beyond to visit Central Australia to experience the magic of this award-winning festival."
Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO also shared her excitement about the upcoming 2025 festival.
"Culture transcends time, bridging ancient stories that have shaped us, even when it has faced interruption and policy-driven division. Parrtjima ensures a space where we all feel special, as the lights illuminate the timeless essence of our culture and our country Australia," she said.
"At Parrtjima, we are reminded by the Arrernte people that timeless culture invites us to experience, learn, and connect."
In 2024, Parrtjima won a slew of prestigious awards nationally and internationally, recognising its excellence on a global scale. The festival received two Australian Event Awards and four Global Eventex Awards, solidifying Parrtjima as one of the world's leading tourism and cultural events.
Free registration for Parrtjima 2025 and costed tickets for the DSO show are available online. Parrtjima is delivered NTMEC alongside event partners We Are Gather and Grumpy Sailor.
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