Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will light up for 10 nights in Northern Territory’s Alice Springs Desert Park, featuring new illuminations, artworks, talks, music, and markets from April 12 to 21.

Organised by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and in partnership with Creative Directors Grumpy Sailor and events destination company We Are Gather, this free event will delight visitors under star-studded desert skies, celebrating the importance of interconnectedness across First Nations culture in Alice Springs (Mparntwe).

Parrtjima’s large-scale light installations includes the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show, which sees almost two kilometres of the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges come to life through a new, extended light and sound show, and the much-loved Grounded, which projects animated Indigenous art onto the red sands of Alice Springs Desert Park.

Other new light installations include The Arrernte, a series of illuminated cars which celebrate a collage of work across Eastern, Western and Central language groups; Honouring, an immersive passageway which will pay homage to the great Arrernte leader, the late MK Turner OAM; and Tjoritja Cockatoos, where the evocative artwork of artist and director of Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, Vanessa Inkamala, is brought to life across three screens and represents the cyclical and seasonal work of country.

For the first time, expert puppeteers will bring to life the theatrical experience Arelhe Urrperle, standing at six-metres tall and weighing 600kg. Strolling through the festival sharing language and stories, Arelhe Urrperle represents the matriarchs and knowledge holders in Aboriginal cultures, recognising the influence and importance of the First Nations women, their strength and spirit, and their role as providers to the families connected to the Arrernte skin groups.

In another first, a three-night marketplace will offer art, bush medicine, jewellery and beauty products from local Aboriginal businesses and art centres from April 12 to 14.

Other highlights include appearances by singer-songwriter Shellie Morris, R&B artist Miiesha, Indigenous performers will be performing during the festival.

NTMEC CEO Suzana Bishop said: “Parrtjima not only brings together the world’s oldest living cultures with leading-edge technology, it brings together people from across the country to connect and engage with our First Nations people and cultures.

“It is also an event that makes a meaningful and positive impact on local communities, as well as the local economy.”