RED DIRT, GLITTER & GLAM
Charles Darwin University fabALICE Festival returns with a sparkling celebration of comedy, drag, cabaret, and community events, set to make the Red Centre glitter with glam.
WORDS ROSIE WILD
IMAGE OLIVER ECLIPSE
IT BEGAN WITH the idea that regional communities deserve big, ambitious cultural celebrations as much as capital cities, and a bold declaration that regional Australia can be vibrant, inclusive, and unapologetically joyful. fabALICE summons a sensational line-up of rainbow talent. Across four days, this entertainment and cultural festival fills Mparntwe/Alice Springs with bursts of colour, sparkles, and high-quality entertainment through a program of drag, cabaret, music, comedy, storytelling, night markets, and all-out, glamorous, large-scale parties.
Inspired by The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which famously ends in Alice Springs, fabALICE is dedicated to seeing drag’s cultivated glamour shine against the rugged beauty of the central desert. It celebrates rich diversity, stunning landscapes, and incredibly talented performers in unabashedly bold costume.
Organisers curate the festival for a broad audience. Daniel Cunningham, Creative Director and Founder, says that while the programming is proudly led by people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the experience is designed to be universal.
“You don’t need to be queer to enjoy brilliant performances, sharp humour, big energy, and a welcoming atmosphere. The festival is fit for families and for the whole community,” he says.
“You don’t need to know anyone, dress a certain way, or ‘get’ anything beforehand. Just come as you are. fabALICE is for everyone – queer folks, allies, locals, visitors, first-timers, and long-time supporters. If you’re curious, open-minded, and ready for a good time, you belong here.”
This year, fabALICE keeps the sense of community audiences love, with fresh acts, new collaborations, and a line-up that’s set to be bigger, bolder, and more polished than ever before.
Performers cross national and international borders to sparkle in the desert. National acts include Mel Buttle, an award-winning comedian and two-time host on ABC’s coverage of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, queued up to headline Saturday night’s Comedy and Cabaret event. Among many other national acts is the daring Kitty Obsidian, a proud Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi trans performer who was recently crowned Miss First Nation winner, who brings a fierceness of fetish performance that’s known to leave the audience rioting for more.
International acts include proud Ngai Tahu actor, comedian and cabaret powerhouse Leather Lungs, Spankie Jackzon – best known for being a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under – who brings vocals, comedy, and unforgettable experiences that are equal parts chaos and care. And from the Philippines, Taylor Sheesh headlines Friday night’s Outback Shout with the Taylor Swift tribute that made her a global sensation.
As a festival programmer, Cunningham proudly places national and international artists like these and many others alongside Territory favourites, local legends, and emerging talent.
“Having First Nations queer performers, drag artists, cabaret stars, and storytellers sharing the same stages is incredibly special. It reflects the diversity of the community itself,” he says.
Some of this year’s Territory icons include fabALICE Glam-bassadors, Miss Ellaneous and Marzi Panne, funny, sassy and utterly magnetic epitome of Territory royalty of Tiwi and Darwin, Crystal Love, and Katherine-born 2025 Deadly Funny finalist, Constantina Bush (Gurindji & Waanyi Kantri).
As one of the festival’s returning artists, Constantina Bush speaks about how welcoming fabALICE feels. She confirms what organisers report hearing most from those who come along – that fabALICE is a much-needed space where people can celebrate without explanation or apology
“I love showing up in this space, as it is safe, supported, and great to be around peers where I feel comfortable and right at home,” she says.
“There are a lot of negatives directed towards our community in the world at the moment, but this festival is a way to bring awareness and truth to the broader community, and meet people that would otherwise not get the chance.”
This commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere is significant in a town where there can be limited spaces that consistently feel safe for diverse identities to celebrate. Cunningham speaks about selecting spaces that make it possible for the whole town to feel involved.
“The Alice Springs Town Council Night Markets on the Thursday night is free and a great community space. The Alice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centre will host Drag Aqua Aerobics, and we are excited to announce that the Budget Barbie Camper Tour will depart from Alice Spring Brewing Co, so pop in and have a cold one before you hop on the bus,” he says.
“Drag Queen Bingo is always a standout. It’s fast-paced, chaotic and genuinely hilarious. It sold out with more than 500 people last year, which says a lot about its broad appeal and crowd-pleasing nature.
“And we’re excited about the big live performance shows. They have strong production values and feature some of the best performers in the country. These are polished events, designed to entertain large, mixed crowds, and deliver a proper night out.”
Whether you want to dance, laugh, reflect, learn, party or just soak up the atmosphere, fabALICE has many entry points.
“Pick what excites you or try something totally new. This festival is made so people can feel part of something,” Cunningham says.
“It feels electric, colourful, and deeply human. There’s laughter everywhere, moments of pride and emotion, and a sense that the town itself is glowing a little brighter.”
Charles Darwin University fabALICE Festival
WHEN THU 26 – SUN 29 MAR
COST FREE-$100
INFO fabalice.com
festival highlights
Alice Springs Town Council Night Markets
Celebrate the official launch of fabALICE Festival at the Alice Springs Town Council Night Markets. Todd Mall bursts to life in a blaze of colour, charisma, and creativity with local market stalls, delicious eats, and a kaleidoscope of entertainment. Enjoy non-stop performances from the fabALICE cast on the main stage, plus family-friendly fun, roaming entertainment, and surprises around every corner under the desert night sky. Free, fun, and fabulously Alice!
THU 26 MAR | 5.30PM
TODD MALL
FREE
Budget Barbie Camper Tour
Click clack, front and back! The Budget Barbie Camper Tour returns by popular demand, shinier, sillier, and more satirical than ever. Join fabulous drag hosts for a delightfully chaotic ride through Alice Springs, packed with costumes, comedy, and cackles galore. Expect hilariously inaccurate facts, spontaneous antics, and surprise performances that’ll have you laughing all the way to the next stop.
FRI 27 MAR, 4PM | SAT 28 MAR, 2PM
PICK UP ALICE SPRINGS BREWING CO
$40
Outback Shout
Hold onto your stubby holders, it’s Friday knock-offs like never before! Think frothiest and frocks, flannies and falsies, and more sparkle than a servo windscreen display. This isn’t your average Friday night at the pub. It’s a ridgy-didge, fair dinkum good shout packed with drag queens, chook raffles, and belly laughs. Get there early for Priscilla trivia, and stay late for the Lip Sync Superstar mayhem. Expect bogan brilliance, belly laughs, and a shoey full of shows.
FRI 27 MAR | 4.21PM
ALICE SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTRE
$40
Taylor Sheesh
International drag sensation Taylor Sheesh brings her viral Taylor Swift tribute to fabALICE. Around the globe, she’s wowed crowds with a full-scale Eras experience with costumes, choreography, and all the hits. Expect all the eras, all the anthems, and all the attitude. It’s a full concert experience complete with dazzling costumes, and powerhouse lip-syncs. Get your Swiftie crew together for this ultimate sing-along spectacular.
FRI 27 MAR | 6PM
ALICE SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTRE
$45-$50
Comedy & Cabaret Spectacular
The crown jewel of fabALICE, the Comedy & Cabaret Spectacular is where the stars truly shine. A whirlwind showcase of the very best from the 2026 cast, this flagship event promises laughs, glamour, and jaw-dropping talent in every direction. An unforgettable mix of stand-up, drag, cabaret, burlesque, and brilliant surprises, where anything can – and probably will! – happen. Expect glamour, laughter, and a touch of mischief. This is a sexy, funny, and fabulously shiny extravaganza Want to go full bougie? Upgrade to fabALICE first class. Check in early for bubbles, banter, and drag queen cabin crew before priority boarding. Fancy.
SAT 27 MAR | 7.30PM
ALICE SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTRE
$70 GA | $100 VIP
Drag Queen Bingo
Back by very popular demand, Drag Queen Bingo returns for another wild, glitter-filled afternoon. Expect outrageous antics, cheeky performances, and literally thousands of dollars in prizes. Grab your mates, your dabber, and your lucky charms. These queens don’t just call numbers, they bring the house down! Need more bougie? Upgrade to VIP. Enjoy two bottles of house wine or bubbles, a platter of nibbly bits, and prime up-front seating to spot those winning numbers first. Because when the queens call your number, you’ll be sipping and celebrating like a star.
SUN 29 MAR | 2PM
ALICE SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTRE
$50 | $500 VIP (GROUP 6)
Drag Aqua Aerobics
Drag Aqua Aerobics is a gas – a splashy bash led by Freddie Merkin and friends, featuring big hits, big moves, and big joy. Join in from the pool, dance along poolside, or cheer from the sidelines. All bodies, all energy levels welcome. No fitness required, just swimmers, sunscreen, and a willingness to make a splash.
SUN 28 MAR | 2.30PM
ALICE SPRINGS AQUATIC & LEISURE CENTRE
FREE (REGISTER ONLINE)
Drag Yoga
This is a fun, feel-good session mixing campery, charisma, and chuckles leaving you feeling truly namas-gay. Led by yoga facilitator Bec Reid, with added camp encouragement from The Huxleys, this session is all about moving your body in a way that feels good, having a laugh, and not taking yourself too seriously.
SUN 28 MAR | 4PM
MULLA MULLA YOGA SHALA
$25
