Beanie Festival gets a head start on fun in Alice Springs

More than 6,800 hand-made beanies from around the world will be on show at the 27th annual Alice Springs Beanie Festival this year. A feast for the eyes – and head! – the festival will take place at Araluen Arts Centre for four days of joy, colour and warmth from 23-26 June 2023.

With thousands of beanies for sale and on display, there are plenty of warm, wonderful and downright incredible works of art to marvel at. Attendees can also learn skills such as needle felting and desert basket weaving as part of an amazing array of textile workshops with Indigenous artists from Central Australia.

Chief Beaniologist Jo Nixon said this year’s festival boasts a bumper crop of beanies from all over the world. “They are looking for heads to keep warm. So splash out and get yourself, and your friends, some of the world’s most creative head gear,” she said.

The festival centrepiece, Beanie Central, will open on Friday, 23 June, followed by the Gala Opening Night, which includes live music, street food and the official opening of the Gallery One Exhibition – A Traveller’s Tale.

There will be a disability hour from 9-10am on Saturday, 24 June, for those with a disability to access Beanie Central. In addition, there will be special activities including a pop-up marketplace, children’s entertainment, National Beanie Competition, live entertainment, and a variety of food choices.

The event, which is supported by Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company, began in 1997 with about 100 beanies. It has grown into the largest beanie festival in the world, attracting thousands of attendees.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop said the Alice Springs Beanie Festival showcases some of the best beanie designs around and is one of the Territory’s most unique events.

“A dedicated and passionate community has grown up around this event, and it is a community that promotes such a sense of inclusivity and joy that this festival has become a must-see event on the Central Australian calendar,” she said.

“If you’re a visitor to the Red Centre, make sure you take the time, with your beanie in tow if it’s a bit nippy, to experience this wonderful festival and as much of this stunning region as possible.”

Events like this don’t happen without volunteers, and anyone interested in sparing an hour or two to help out in the Gallery or show off their culinary skills at the BBQ will be gladly welcomed. Head down to the Araluen Arts Centre to sign up.

Don’t forget, on Monday, 26 June, there’s the Big Beanie Sale with 10 per cent off all stock.

To book a workshop head to www.centralcraft.org.au. For more information on the program, head to https://www.beaniefest.org/