Near record crowds have gathered to launch 2024 Parrtjima Festival of Lights
Alice Springs has shown up in near record numbers to celebrate a glowing popular local event. Find out more.
Northern Territory
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Alice Springs dazzled on Friday night as thousands attended the launch of the annual Parrtjima Festival of Lights at the Desert Park.
Locals and visitors shrugged off the events of recent weeks in the Central Australian town that led to a youth curfew in the town and rolled out in near record numbers to the much-loved event.
Figures sourced from NT Major Events showed 3013 guests attended the opening night, the second highest attendance since Parrtjima began in 2016.
Parrtjima’s large-scale light installations include the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show, which has 2km of the stunning natural feature illuminated through a new, extended light and sound show.
Also returning will be Grounded, where animated Aboriginal art is projected onto the red sands of the Desert Park.
Other new installations include The Arrente, a display featuring illuminated cars, Honouring, a tribute to Arrente leader Dr MK Turner OAM and Tjoritja Cockatoos, where works from artist Vanessa Inkamala are bought to life across three screens.
For the first time Arelhe Urrperle, a six-metre tall, 600kg monolith will mix with festival-goers sharing language, culture and stories.
Chief Minister Eva Lawler, in Alice Springs to launch an extension of the Territory Tourism Discount Scheme in Central Australia, acknowledged the near record crowds and effort associated with organising the event.
“Where else in Australia would you want to be today?” Ms Lawler said. “It’s stunning here in Alice Springs and Partrtjima was brilliant last night.
“All of us who attended could just feel how positive the atmosphere was. If you are anybody in Australia listening to this get on a plane, come to Parrtjima because you will love it. It was a stunning night.
Those unable to attend can get in on the action too, with a virtual tour live from Friday night at facebook.com/ParrtjimaAustralia.
Parrtjima is set to conclude on April 21.
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Originally published as Near record crowds have gathered to launch 2024 Parrtjima Festival of Lights
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