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There’s not much like a city-wide festival to awaken us from our winter slumber and get us moving again. This year, The Brisbane River and city landmarks will once again be transformed into a stage for an explosion of arts and performance to occur from September 5 to September 27 for Brisbane Festival. Whether it be watching on in wonder at a multicolour drone show, seeing a mindblowing glowing world at the City Botanic Gardens, or getting a good spot for Riverfire, there’s something for everyone this year. Take a look at our pick of events, installations and performances below.
Riverfire
The annual Riverfire fireworks display is a staple of Brisbane Festival. And each year, the spectacular light show seems to get better and better too. However, with huge crowds all trying to get the best spot, it can also feel a little overwhelming sometimes. We recommend heading to Wilson Reserve Outlook to catch the display over Story Bridge for free.
Riverfire is set to light up the Brisbane city skyline on Saturday, September 6.
Here are some Brisbane venues holding events for Riverfire, with fantastic views of the fireworks:
- Lina Rooftop, South Brisbane ($225 per person)
- Fridays ($65 for general admission)
- Emporium Hotel, South Brisbane ($319 for all-inclusive package)
- Riverland ($139 for a two-hour drink package)
- W Brisbane (free with a stay in one of their 312 luxe guestrooms)
Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale
As has become tradition, Skylore is set to close out Brisbane Festival in a truly spectacular way for three nights on September 25, 26 and 27. Four hundred drones will take to the sky and light up the night with a dreamtime story dating back 65,000 years.
Directed by Traditional Owner and storyteller, Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences, this 3D multicolour drone show highlights the dreamtime Yuggera and Toorabul story of Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale through dazzling visuals and an original score. The creation story of Moreton Bay’s islands will also be told from the sky.
We recommend heading to South Bank to get the best views.
Art Installations
If you’re a lover of gorgeous art installations, then you’ll be spoilt for choice this year at Brisbane Festival.
The gorgeous after-dark experience, Afterglow, is coming our way as part of Brisbane Festival, popping up at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Lose yourself in a garden paradise, a nocturnal wonderland brought to life along a 1.4km fire trail lined with world-renowned fire artists and animated by a carefully curated ambient soundtrack.
During the month, be sure to check out Walk This Way, Craig & Karl’s stunning transformation of Brisbane’s walking bridges with their major immersive art installations across the Neville Bonner Bridge, the Goodwill Bridge, and the new Kangaroo Point Bridge!
It’s not just bridges! Craig & Karl’s Rear Vision also brings their creativity to life in Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery Exhibition, which turns every laneway, street, and car park into imaginative and colourful spaces for everyone to enjoy and explore themes of community, identity, imagination and love.
Interactive Experiences
Out of the unique interactive experiences coming to Brisbane Festival this year, Common People Dance Project’s exhibition and workshops have us the most hyped. The culmination of the project will be Brisbane’s ultimate dance off on Saturday, September 27 in the King George Square Showdown!
If you’re after something more tactile, then head over to Sea of Light at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, were you can explore artworks by Aboriginal Contemporary Visual Artist Elizabeth Close are painted in light across the sea floor, paired with a gentle soundscape and creating a unique adventure for the whole family.
Music, Circus & Theatre
This year at Brisbane Festival, there are plenty of gigs to give you that live entertainment fix, but not just any regular show! Enter the no-phones, no-rules, no-holds-barred world of Late Night Vice — a decadent after-dark escape where mischief reigns and glamour drips from the ceiling. This is not your average night out.
In terms of theatre and performances, we recommend checking out F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic like you’ve never seen it before with GATSBY at The Green Light. Sip on a delightful gin martini as you find yourself captivated by a party only a man desperately in love could throw, with thrilling aerial displays, an buzzing soundtrack, and resplendent costumes that’ll transport you to the most decadent era.
To avoid disappointment, make sure to check the Brisbane Festival program for specific dates and times for these events as some installations do not run for the full length of the festival program.