Central Australia's Cultural Calendar Set to Vibrate with Arts and Music

Central Australia will come alive over the next six weeks with a vibrant program of art, culture and music. Proudly supported by our Event Funding Program, three exciting and diverse events will once again take centre stage.

One of Australia’s longest running Aboriginal arts festivals, Desert Mob, returns this September and October at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs. Now in its thirty-fourth year, the festival features the renowned Desert Mob exhibition, artist talks, a vibrant marketplace, workshops, demonstrations and more.

Run by Desart, Desert Mob brings together hundreds of artists from over 30 Aboriginal art centres across Central Australia, offering an unmissable opportunity to meet the artists, hear their stories, and purchase their works through a diverse program of free and ticketed events.

“For more than 30 years, Desert Mob has celebrated the immense contribution of Aboriginal artists and their art centres to this land of many nations now known as Australia,” said Philip Watkins, Chief Executive Officer of Desart. “Our far-reaching reputation, which has seen our culture enthusiastically received into some of the most significant collections, galleries and museums around the world, has been built on the bedrock of collective and collaborative community ventures.”

Desert Mob runs from Thursday, 11 September to Sunday, 26 October 2025. To find out more head to desertmob.com

Also returning in 2025 is Bush Bands Bash, set for Sunday 14, September. The event promises to be an unforgettable night of music, language and culture, with 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander acts from some of Australia’s most remote communities performing at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, singing in nine different languages.

Now in its 21st year, Bush Bands has become a premier music development program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote regions. From its beginnings as a local stage in Alice Springs, the program now attracts applications from across the NT, SA, WA, and QLD.

“During the development program the week before the big Bash, each acts gets one-on-one mentoring and coaching which really helps them take the stage with the knowledge, and also the confidence, to put their act out there on big stages,” said Mark Smith, Executive Director of MusicNT and the event organiser. “There’s audiences for this music in their communities that want to see it. It’s a platform to say ‘this amazing music exists’ and so it’s that chance to really push it out into the rest of the country.”

The family-friendly event runs from 4pm to 10pm, with tickets just $10 and free entry for those aged 16 and under. Free bus services are available to and from the venue.

For more information visit bushbands.com

The Blacken Open Air Festival, Australia’s only camping heavy music festival, returns from 19–22 September with three unforgettable nights under desert skies. Founded in Central Australia and proudly Territorian, this unique festival offers a one-of-a-kind experience where fans can immerse themselves in music, culture, and ancient landscapes.

With over 40 bands performing from across Australia and around the globe, the line-up is stacked with energy and exclusives, including Frenzal Rhomb, Earthless (USA), Fate Gear (Japan), and a rare reunion set from Blood Duster.

Beyond the main stages, audiences can also discover alternative performance spaces, cultural performances from the Arrernte people, and captivating art installations that add to the festival’s unique atmosphere.

“We’re still here, against all odds, thanks to every attendee, artist, volunteer and crew member who has contributed to this event since it’s humble beginnings,” said the festival’s founder, Pirate. “This is truly a festival built by the heavy metal community. So in 2025, we are giving it everything we’ve got!”

This is a licensed all-ages event. For tickets and more information visit blackenopenair.com