From Riverfire’s world-first pyrotechnic drones to live music and free performances, Brisbane’s biggest cultural celebration is ready to take over the city.
Brisbane is bracing for its brightest spring yet, as the citywide stage of Brisbane Festival comes alive from early to late September. In an event praised as Artistic Director Louise Bezzina’s final creative flourish, the festival delivers an extraordinary blend of artistry, culture and community. Spanning 23 days, the program features over 1,000 performances, including 21 world premieres, with accessibility front and centre (plus, nearly 40% of events are free!).
Opening with a bang, the iconic Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust returns on Saturday, 6 September, with more spectacle than ever before. This year’s display will feature the world’s first pyrotechnic drones, three specially cleared to carry fireworks, fired alongside barges, rooftops and bridges, choreographed over Brisbane River in synchrony with an epic soundtrack by Guy Webster and aerial pre-show performances by the ADF and First Nations’ Tribal Experiences.
From the glowing spectacle of Afterglow in the City Botanic Gardens to the high-energy movement of The Chronicles by Stephanie Lake Company, Brisbane Festival is bursting with unmissable moments. Brisbane Serenades will once again take the music beyond the city centre, turning suburban streets and parks into lively stages. Even midweek has its magic, with the Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts serving up free lunchtime performances that range from smooth jazz to soaring opera.
This festival is a love letter to Brisbane, a vibrant city with a creative heart. It’s a cultural awakening begging to be embraced.
