And for four extraordinary days each year, this remarkable town in the heart of Australia becomes home to something truly special. Something loud, colourful, outrageously entertaining and, for many who experience it, unexpectedly moving.

Welcome to fabALICE Festival.

You might come for the drag queens, the sequins, the cabaret and the promise of a fabulous weekend away. But what you discover is so much more.

You find a community with an enormous heart. A generosity of spirit that catches you off guard. Strangers who become friends, performers who feel like family, and a place that reminds you just how wonderful it is to let your hair down, be yourself and simply belong. And sometimes, it's the people who come to entertain us who leave the most deeply touched.

When 'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under' winner Spankie Jackzon visited fabALICE in 2026, even this seasoned international performer wasn't prepared for the experience. Spankie was reportedly moved to tears when leaving Alice Springs, overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape and, perhaps even more unexpectedly, the warmth, spirit and generosity of the people. It's a reaction that says more about fabALICE than any glittering headline act ever could.

Because this festival has a way of surprising people. More than a festival. A place to belong.

And for visiting First Nations performer Kitty Obsidian, the experience offered something rarely found amid the rush of big-city life: a deeper connection with community, Country and culture.

These are the stories that reveal the real magic of fabALICE. Not simply the performances on stage, but the connections happening all around them. Where the outback lets its hair down. Of course, don't be fooled into thinking it's all heartfelt moments and happy tears.

fabALICE knows how to throw a party.

Imagine drag queens leading aqua aerobics in the desert sunshine. A bus full of fabulous characters exploring Alice Springs. Outrageous lip-sync battles, comedy, cabaret and the kind of drag queen bingo where absolutely anything can happen.

Picture a town centre alive with music, dancing, colourful markets and performers who know how to make everyone feel part of the show. There are glittering gowns, ridiculous wigs, big personalities and even bigger laughs. And then there's the setting.

The ancient red ranges that turn gold as the sun begins to set. The vast skies stretching beyond the horizon. The extraordinary beauty of Central Australia, where you can spend the day exploring spectacular landscapes and the evening dancing under the desert stars.

Where else in Australia can you experience that combination?

It is pure outback magic, with a generous helping of fabulous.

The magic is in the people. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about fabALICE is that it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from or who you arrive with. You might travel with friends, your partner or a group of fellow adventurers. You might even arrive alone. But chances are, you won't feel like a stranger for long. There is something about Alice Springs that encourages people to connect. Conversations start easily. Laughter travels across tables. The atmosphere feels welcoming, unpretentious and refreshingly real.

And in a world that can sometimes feel divided, that is something worth celebrating.

fabALICE offers a reminder that joy can be powerful, kindness can be extraordinary and a little bit of outrageous fun can bring people together in the most unexpected ways.

It's about celebrating who you are, embracing who others are and enjoying the freedom to be completely, unapologetically yourself.

Come with an open mind. Leave with a full heart.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Alice Springs.The spectacular scenery. The ancient landscapes. The art, culture, wildlife and extraordinary sense of place. But fabALICE offers another reason: A chance to be part of something joyful, generous and deeply human.

A festival where the sequins sparkle, the laughter is contagious and the people leave the biggest impression of all.

Just ask those who have experienced it.

Some arrive expecting a great show and a fun weekend. They leave having discovered a place, a community and a feeling they never expected to find.

And that is the magic of fabALICE. Come for the glitter. Leave with a full heart.

Tickets on sale 13 November.

fabALICE Festival 2027 is on from 1-4 April in Alice Springs (Northern Territory).