The unapologetically fabulous queer arts festival, fabALICE, takes over Alice Springs/Mparntwe with drag and pure camp chaos in the heart of the Red Centre.
In less than two weeks, Alice Springs hosts a five-day festival filled with queer joy and celebration, fabALICE.
Whether you’re a local or travelling from interstate, the fabALICE program is packed with queer glitter fabulousness.
Drag King Freddie Merkin is performing at the festival for his fourth year, and says its power is only matched by the beauty of Alice Springs.
“When you arrive, you are in the most incredible surroundings,” Freddie said.
“You are surrounded by beautiful, muted colours and warm weather as you drive through the gorge area into Alice Springs.
“Visually, it’s a feast for the senses, but when you actually arrive at the festival, the vibe from the local community and visitors is incredible.”
Over five days, there is a host of events showcasing community, drag, cabaret, and the Red Centre’s inclusion and diversity.
A unique showcase of Drag, Family and Cabaret events, celebrating the inclusivity and diversity of the Red Centre.
From drag bingo to water aerobics, the fun doesn’t stop
Being able to acknowledge the areas LGBTQIA+ community is such an important thing.
“There is a really big queer community living in Alice Springs,” Freddie said.
“So giving them a space like this where they can celebrate pride in their area is so important, because they don’t have these kinds of events often.”
“One of the events I’m excited for is the bingo on the Sunday. It sells out with over five hundred attending, travelling from really far away to take part.
“It gets pretty competitive, especially with some incredible prizes donated.
“We also have the wonderful markets down the main street in Alice Springs, which brings together families and the community.”
One of the events Freddie is pumped for is the water aerobics, happening for the second time this year.
“The team were talking about doing an event at the Aquatics Centre,” Freddie told us, “And outside of my Freddie life, I used to be an aqua aerobics instructor.”
“I pitched combining drag and aqua to create something fun, and we had 70 bodies in the water last year.
“It was so much fun being flanked by two drag queens, and we were all in lycra, and everyone loved it. I didn’t have a face by the end, but it was so much fun it didn’t matter.
“I’m really looking forward to being with the Alice Springs community again this year and reconnecting with the performers to bring pride and visibility to the area.”
The fabALICE program is stacked with fab entertainment.
Images: SuppliedBudget Barbie Camper Tour
The Budget Barbie Camper Tour is rolling back into Alice Springs for fabALICE 2026, and it’s sillier than ever.
Hop aboard for a gloriously chaotic sightseeing adventure led by a pair of fabulous drag hosts.
They’ll guide you through town with questionable history lessons, outrageous costumes and plenty of laughs.
Expect wildly inaccurate facts, spontaneous antics and a few surprise performances along the way.
It’s Alice Springs like you’ve never seen it before, departing from Alice Springs Brewery on Friday, March 27 (4–6 pm) and Saturday, March 28 (2–4 pm).
Comedy & Cabaret Spectacular
If there’s one event that truly sparkles at fabALICE, it’s the Comedy & Cabaret Spectacular.
This year’s show will be hosted by Australian comedy powerhouse Mel Buttle.
Known for her razor-sharp humour and beloved online character “Lyn”, Buttle brings plenty of laughs to the desert.
The spectacular brings together the best of the fabALICE cast for a high-energy night of stand-up, drag, burlesque and cabaret.
You’ll be in for a night of big night of glitz, belly laughs and performances that will leave you gobsmacked.
The show takes place on Saturday, March 28, at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
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Night Markets featuring fabALICE
fabALICE kicks off in colourful style at the Alice Springs Town Council Night Markets.
Todd Mall will transform into a vibrant festival hub packed with local market stalls, street eats and live entertainment under the desert night sky.
Throughout the evening, performers from the fabALICE cast will take to the main stage with a lively lineup of drag, music and crowd-pleasing moments.
With family-friendly fun and plenty to explore, it’s the perfect way to launch a weekend of fabulous festivities in Alice Springs.
The markets run on Thursday, March 26, from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Outback Shout
fabALICE is bringing a very different kind of Friday knock-offs to Alice Springs with the inaugural Outback Shout.
Think cold drinks, camp chaos and plenty of outback humour as drag queens, trivia and pub-style antics collide for a wildly entertaining night.
Guests can test their knowledge with Priscilla trivia before the mayhem ramps up with the Lip Sync Superstar showdown.
It’s equal parts country pub and queer party, with cheap drinks, big laughs and plenty of sparkle thrown in for good measure.
Outback Shout takes place Friday, March 27, at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Drag Queen Bingo
Drag Queen Bingo is back, and it’s camper than ever.
Hosted by dazzling drag queens, the afternoon promises plenty of cheeky banter, outrageous performances and thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs.
It’s bingo with a fabulously chaotic twist.
Drag Queen Bingo takes place Sunday, March 29, at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
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Fly in, unpack and let fabALICE do the rest
You don’t have to be a local to enjoy the fun.
The team at fabALICE have made a 5-day festival package designed for interstate visitors who want the full experience without the stress.
Think accommodation, festival passes, and a stacked program of glittering events all wrapped into one very tempting deal.
Fly in, unpack, get your glitter on and dive into the program of drag royalty, sharp comedy, late-night cabaret and more.
It’s perfect for a getaway with friends, a chosen-family adventure or a solo trip where you’ll make new friends.
Check out the packages and the full program here.
Image: SuppliedFor the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
