desert festival alice springs 2025

Welcome to

DesFest 2025

Big Art. Bold Stories.
In the Heart of Australia.

Held annually in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Desert Festival (DesFest) is Central Australia’s iconic multi-arts event. Showcasing an unforgettable mix of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, immersive experiences and workshops. Proudly produced by Red Hot Arts, DesFest celebrates the unique spirit of the desert, centring local voices and championing diverse stories across the region and beyond.

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About the Festival

For over two decades, Desert Festival has grown from a grassroots celebration into an award-winning cultural movement. What sets us apart? We’re proudly local, fiercely inclusive and deeply connected to country.

Here, creativity isn’t limited by big-city expectations. It’s shaped by the land, driven by community and brought to life by artists who are bold, resilient, and unapologetically original.

Whether you’re a lifelong local or a curious traveller, DesFest invites you to experience the unexpected – right here in the desert.

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Identity. Belonging. Place.

The 2025 Desert Festival theme is “Home” – a celebration of identity, belonging and place.

In our 23rd year, Desert Festival launches a new fringe-style format, opening the doors wider than ever for artists, venues and community groups to participate, collaborate and shine.

Join the Celebration

At Desert Festival, we’re committed to making the arts accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or joining us from afar, we offer a range of ticket options designed to suit different needs and circumstances – because creativity belongs to all of us.

Ticketing Info