Hundreds attend 27th annual Alice Springs Beanie Festival

With a plethora of workshops and thousands of cool and quirky headwear for sale, Alice Springs beanie festival was jam packed with keen ‘beaniologists’. See all the pics here.

Hundreds of keen “beaniologists” have descended on Alice Springs for what is believed to be the world’s biggest beanie festival.

Now in it’s 27th year, 6500 people from all over Australia and as far as New Zealand and the United Kingdom shipped in their entries for the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, which kicked off on Friday.

There were giggles galore as attendees tried on faux dreadlocks and wintry witches hat beanies, alongside plenty of throwbacks – including one beanie depicting the classic Magic Pudding.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival chief beaniologist Jo Nixon reckons each year since the festival began in 1997 the complexity involved has increased dramatically.

A beanie clad kangaroo greets visitors to the 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper.

One of the more intricate beanies on display includes figurines of Larapinta Trail walkers, complete with kangaroos, rocks and other native wildlife. Picture: Laura Hooper

“It’s just grown and grown and grown with what people are doing with beanies, (they are getting) more and more creative,” Ms Nixon said.

“We thought they were pretty special way back in the 90s, we were like ‘Wow, that’s amazing’ and then every year we say ‘No, we’re doing much better now’.

“People spend all year working on their beanies.”

Beanie festival "chief beaniologist" Jo Nixon reckons entries have got more and more creative each Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper

Beaniologists had multiple different interpretations of the theme – A Traveller’s Tale, with many involving depictions of the creators favourite road trips. Picture: Laura Hooper

Although they may appear huge, all of the beanies are wearable – including this classic kombi van. Picture: Laura Hooper

Another beanie detailing a road trip from a city to the red dirt of the country. Picture: Laura Hooper

In keeping with this year’s theme – A Traveller’s Tale – keen beaniologists travelled from around Australia to participate in the more than 30 workshops available over the weekend, with courses including beanie making as well as basket weaving and sandwich press jewellery.

Ms Nixon said she believed the festival had become the biggest of its kind in the world.

“We think we’re the biggest beanie festival in the world, that’s what we claim, and nobody has ever claimed otherwise,” she said.

While the beanie festival wraps up on Monday, keen beaniologists can still take a look through the Beanie exhibition at Araluen Arts Centre until July 16.

The magic pudding beanie at the 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper

Some unique designs on display at the 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper.

Crowds check out the beanies on display at the 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper.

Attendees try on beanies beneath intricate displays at the 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper.

Designs came from as far away as Suffolk, United Kingdom. Picture: Laura Hooper.

A wide view of attendees trying on the products at the 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper.

Plenty of beanies had already sold by Sunday afternoon, but there were still a few quirky designs up for grabs. Picture: Laura Hooper.

An entry from Darwin shows the story of a lady using traditional spinning techniques to construct a beanie. Picture: Laura Hooper

Beanies designed by schoolchildren from the community of Ampilatwatja. Picture: Laura Hooper

Kaitlyn Peters with beanies created by primary school aged children. Picture: Laura Hooper

A beanie capturing quintessential Territorian wildlife. Picture: Laura Hooper

Chief beaniologist Jo Nixon said each year designs get more and more complex. Picture: Laura Hooper.

Some of the beanies on display at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Picture: Laura Hooper.