5 quirky Northern Territory events you didn’t know existed

Territorians love a good festival! Here’s our pick of some of the Northern Territory’s quirkier events.

1. Alice Springs Beanie Festival

June | Alice Springs

Beanies, berets, and toques – they’re all here at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Yep, it’s a whole festival dedicated to knitted headwear in the middle of the Australian desert. From the flamboyant to the fashion forward, you’re bound to find a one-of-a-kind piece to keep you warm this winter.

Beanie Festival statues — The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is held annually in June and showcases entries from all around Australia

2. Red Centre NATS

August | Alice Springs

Red Centre NATS brings together motoring enthusiasts from across the country for the ultimate festival of wheels. Unleash your inner rev head as street machines, elite show cars, hot rods, classics cars and exotic motor bikes roll into town.

Held over three days at Alice Springs, expect an action-packed family-friendly program including drag racing, burnouts, an exotic vehicle exhibition called show ‘n’ shine, live music and Australia’s largest street parade of hot vehicles and bikes.

Red CentreNATS Alice Springs — Red Centre NATS lures motoring enthusiasts to Alice Springs

3. Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

August | Darwin

The Beer Can Regatta is the event that combines recycling and building boats in a spectacular way. Build a ‘tinny’ from tin-cans and set sail on an epic maiden voyage from Darwin’s Mindil Beach. When you’re ready to dock, grab a feed next door at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market.

Four people racing at the Darwin Beer Can Regatta — An epic charity event held at the same location as the Mindil Beach Sunset Market

4. Henley-On-Todd Regatta

August | Alice Springs

No water? No problem! Hosted in a dry riverbed, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta is as close as you’ll get to a seaside escapade in the desert. Join a team and man a bottomless ship with your legs, in Flintstones style.

Three people racing at the Henley on Todd — Get your own team together with a trip to Alice Springs to kick up the dust

5. Darwin International Laksa Festival

October | Darwin

Darwin locals love to sit down to a bowl of laksa for breakfast and now there’s an entire festival dedicated to the mouth watering dish. The whole month of October is reserved for laksa with the Darwin International Laksa Festival. Follow the Laksa Trail around tropical Darwin to experience the cultural variety of Laksas found in the Top End.

A couple enjoys laksa and potato tornado at Mindil Beach Sunset Market, bustling with people and food stalls — The month-long celebration ends with the Laksa Festival event with the ‘Golden Bowl’ awarded to the best Laksa in the Territory

Looking for more Northern Territory events? Explore the full list of what’s on covering the Top End and Red Centre.

Keep exploring

10 things you can only do in the NT

It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, keen for adventure or looking to relax, on a budget or ready to splurge – a holiday in the Northern Territory is an experience like no other.

7 Aboriginal experiences not to miss

Discover some of the Territory's best Aboriginal cultural experiences from Uluru and the Red Centre, through Kakadu and the Top End .

Why the NT is your next international destination

Have you been missing those worldly wonders and craving a different kind of holiday?

7 unique foods to try in Australia’s Northern Territory …and where to find them

One of the greatest joys of visiting other cities and other countries is the food. I’ve always said the best ways to get to know a place are to eat it and walk it, so when I was invited on a hosted 2-week exploration road trip to Australia’s Northern Territory and Outback, I brought my most forgiving pants.