SeasonMapWhat's on in Alice Springs, Australia through the year
Alice Springs, Australia has 6 curated events through the year — 4 festivals and 2 seasons. The ones to plan around: Parrtjima festival of light (April) and Camel Cup (July). April and June are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Best time to visit Alice Springs: weather, crowds and notes →
Alice Springs events and crowds by month
| Month | What starts | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | Busy |
| February | — | Quiet |
| March | — | Shoulder season |
| April | Larapinta walking season, Parrtjima festival of light | Peak crowds |
| May | — | Busy |
| June | Finke Desert Race | Peak crowds |
| July | Camel Cup | Busy |
| August | Henley-on-Todd Regatta | Busy |
| September | — | Busy |
| October | — | Busy |
| November | — | Shoulder season |
| December | The heat closes the walking | Busy |
January in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in January →Busy — Summer holidays in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
Still on: The heat closes the walking (1 Dec – 28 Feb)
February in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in February →Quiet — one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in February.
Still on: The heat closes the walking (1 Dec – 28 Feb)
March in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in March →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in March.
April in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in April →Peak crowds — Parrtjima festival of light, Autumn / Easter break in Australia
- Season
Larapinta walking season
1 Apr – 30 SepTrail seasonBook earlyThe trail along the West MacDonnells is walked between April and September and effectively shut the rest of the year. Nights on the ridges are properly cold by July, and the shuttles and food drops go early. Source ↗
- Festival
Parrtjima festival of light
10–19 AprMajor festivalCrowdedTen free nights of First Nations light work thrown across two kilometres of the MacDonnell Ranges at the Desert Park, with talks and music underneath it. It is cold once the sun goes; people bring blankets. Source ↗
May in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in May →Busy — one of its best months for weather
Nothing new starts in May.
Still on: Larapinta walking season (1 Apr – 30 Sep)
June in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in June →Peak crowds — Finke Desert Race, Winter (July) break in Australia
- Festival
Finke Desert Race
4–9 Jun · usuallyMotorsport weekendCrowdedBook earlyBikes, buggies and trophy trucks run south to Aputula and back over the King's Birthday long weekend. Every bed in town goes months out and half the population drives into the spinifex to watch. Source ↗
Still on: Larapinta walking season (1 Apr – 30 Sep)
July in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in July →Busy — Winter (July) break in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
- Festival
Camel Cup
8–20 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalCamel racing at Blatherskite Park on a Saturday in July, run by the local service clubs since a bet between two friends in 1970. The camels go sideways at least as often as forwards. Source ↗
Still on: Larapinta walking season (1 Apr – 30 Sep)
August in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in August →Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather
- Festival
Henley-on-Todd Regatta
14–22 Aug · usuallyMajor festivalBottomless boats carried at a run down the dry bed of the Todd, ending in a battle between three mounted ships firing flour and water. The only thing that stops it is water in the river. Source ↗
Still on: Larapinta walking season (1 Apr – 30 Sep)
September in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in September →Busy — Spring break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in September.
Still on: Larapinta walking season (1 Apr – 30 Sep)
October in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in October →Busy — Spring break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in October.
November in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in November →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in November.
December in Alice Springs
Alice Springs weather in December →Busy — Summer holidays in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
- Season
The heat closes the walking
1 Dec – 28 FebExtreme heatFrom December the long trails are advised against, guided walks stand down, and the town runs on early mornings and waterholes. It is the emptiest stretch of the year and the cheapest to fly into. Source ↗