Desert Festival

Desert Festival Desert Festival is held annually in Alice Springs Mparntwe, Central Australia.

10 - 19 July, 2026

Desert Fringe Festival 2026 is Central Australia’s festival of independent art and performance emerging from one of Australia’s most remote creative community.

01/09/2026

📣 NEW SUPER INFO FOR ARTISTS & ARTS WORKERS

The ATO has updated its guidance on superannuation in the creative industries. The new information covers:

✔️ who may be entitled to super
✔️ when super is not payable
✔️ revenue sharing, door deals and profit shares
✔️ working through agents or other intermediaries
✔️ how super is calculated when only part of a payment qualifies

If you’re an artist, arts worker, festival, event producer, creative business or organisation, you need to know when you’re entitled to super — and when you’re responsible for paying it.

Read the updated ATO guidance at ato.gov.au

📷 A Night At Moulin Rouge, DesFest 2026, Greg Barnes

This Friday, Pass The Mic returns to Mparntwe to find out hottest performers and MCs to send to Sydney for finals and ch...
11/08/2026

This Friday, Pass The Mic returns to Mparntwe to find out hottest performers and MCs to send to Sydney for finals and chance to win $50K.

Two locals must represent!! Is it you? 🔥

Fringe artists - let’s go!!

Click the link below to sign up

Want more festival vibes? Pass The Mic returns to Mparntwe 13-15 August.Sign up below for you chance to win $50k and the...
06/08/2026

Want more festival vibes? Pass The Mic returns to Mparntwe 13-15 August.

Sign up below for you chance to win $50k and the national championship! Or just turn up for the mad vibes.

Hit the link below for details 🔥

You were there, you got involved! And now we’d love it if you could tell us all the good bits and the not-so-good bits a...
05/08/2026

You were there, you got involved! And now we’d love it if you could tell us all the good bits and the not-so-good bits and everything in between. This stuff is like gold for us and we can build bigger and better things for our Fringey Future.

Ps you’ll also go in the draw to win a $100 Coles voucher. Cos life is expensive!

Survey at link below and if you could send it to mates that you know enjoyed a show or two, we’d also love that.

https://forms.gle/wxmXPYy5NMYkHiNf9

🙏🏻🙏🏻

📷 Greg Barnes

04/08/2026

❤️‍🔥 Big love to our 2026 Desert Festival partners!

In these challenging times, collaboration matters more than ever. Our new fringe approach was all about working together, sharing outcomes, and finding ways to keep the multi-arts sustainable. It’s the way of the future.

Thanks to our amazing partners who helped bring this year’s program to life:
Red Hot Arts
Tropic of Capricorn
8CCC
Plus help from our friends Artback NT, Araluen Art Centre and Darwin Fringe

Check it! Calling all MCs, singers, performers! Pass the Mic returning to Mpartnwe for your chance to win $50k!!! Detail...
28/07/2026

Check it! Calling all MCs, singers, performers!

Pass the Mic returning to Mpartnwe for your chance to win $50k!!!

Details in the reel 🔥

As the dust settles on Desert Festival 2026, we would like to thank our financial sponsors, whose generous support made ...
25/07/2026

As the dust settles on Desert Festival 2026, we would like to thank our financial sponsors, whose generous support made it all possible.

Your backing enabled 10 days of performances, stories, and community connection right here in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

Huge thanks to our major supporters, funding partners, and local sponsors for believing in the power of Central Australian multi-arts. Your investment goes directly into the pockets of artists, arts workers, and local businesses — supporting youth programs, First Nations storytelling, and a thriving creative economy in the heart of the desert.

👏 Thank you for supporting the arts.

Northern Territory Government / CBF Fund
Red Hot Arts Central Australia

Did you love Desert Fringe as much as we did?Let’s celebrate what worked, improve what didn’t, and keep growing a festiv...
23/07/2026

Did you love Desert Fringe as much as we did?

Let’s celebrate what worked, improve what didn’t, and keep growing a festival that reflects our incredible Mparntwe community.

Take a few minutes to complete our audience survey and go in the draw to win a $100 Coles Voucher ❤️‍🔥

https://forms.gle/wxmXPYy5NMYkHiNf9

Help shape the future of Desert Fringe Festival.

📷 Greg Barnes

That’s a wrap on Desert Fringe Festival - and what a ride it’s been! From sold-out shows and standing ovations to heartf...
20/07/2026

That’s a wrap on Desert Fringe Festival - and what a ride it’s been! From sold-out shows and standing ovations to heartfelt yarns and belly laughs, the energy from artists and audiences has been absolutely unreal. We’ve felt the love every step of the way.

A massive thank you to everyone who showed up, lent a hand, and helped make this event such a a fabulous success 💫

📷 Greg Barnes

Address

67 Bath Street
Alice Springs, NT
0870

Telephone

08 8952 2392

Website

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