Brisbane Festival is the city’s big spring arts festival, held over about three weeks every September. It opens with the Riverfire fireworks, and the Festival Village at South Bank is the hub for free and ticketed events.
The next Brisbane Festival runs from Friday 3 to Saturday 25 September 2027. The program is usually announced in June.
Brisbane Festival dates
The festival runs from Friday 3 to Saturday 25 September 2027. Riverfire is on Saturday 4 September 2027. The program is usually announced in June.
Individual shows have their own dates and session times, so check the program once it is out.
Riverfire
Riverfire is the festival’s free opening night: fireworks launched from bridges, barges and rooftops along the Brisbane River. There is more on it in our Riverfire guide.
Extra public transport services run for Riverfire, and dogs are not permitted in the South Bank parklands during it. Riverfire has had a free Accessible Viewing Area at Kangaroo Point Cliffs for patrons with access requirements, so check the festival’s access page for the current arrangements.
Festival Village at South Bank
The Festival Village is based at South Bank across the Village Green, South Bank Town Hall and the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent. It is described as open from sunrise to last call, and mixes free experiences with ticketed events.
The Village line-up changes every year, so check the festival’s Village page once the program is out.
Tickets and cost
Brisbane Festival has both free and ticketed events. Riverfire and many Village experiences are free; theatre, music and circus shows are ticketed.
Book online through the festival’s ticketing page, or by phone: QTIX 136 246, Ticketmaster 136 100 or Ticketek 132 849. Sales are generally final, with refunds only under the LPA Ticketing Code of Practice.
Getting there and parking
The Festival Village is at South Bank, so public transport is the easy way in on busy nights. Extra services run for Riverfire, so check Translink or call 13 12 30 closer to the date. For parking, check the festival’s website once the program is out.
The festival’s access page covers accessibility and is updated each year. Recent years have had dedicated seating at every venue for patrons with access needs, a complimentary ticket for Companion Card holders, and program markings for wheelchair access, Auslan, audio description, captioning and relaxed performances. Contact the venue box office before booking.
Nearby
- South Bank Parklands – Streets Beach, playgrounds and BBQs beside the Festival Village.
- Story Bridge – the landmark river bridge pictured above.
- Brisbane City Hall – a short trip across the river.
- More to do around Brisbane, and what else is on in the What’s on guide.
Details can change, so check the organiser’s website before you go.
Quick answers
When is Brisbane Festival?
The next Brisbane Festival runs from Friday 3 to Saturday 25 September 2027.
When is Riverfire?
Riverfire is on Saturday 4 September 2027, the festival’s opening night. It is free.
Is Brisbane Festival free?
Partly. Riverfire and many Festival Village experiences are free, while theatre, music and other shows are ticketed.
Where is the Brisbane Festival Village?
At South Bank, across the Village Green, South Bank Town Hall and the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent.
How do I buy tickets?
Online through the festival’s ticketing page, or by phone on QTIX 136 246, Ticketmaster 136 100 or Ticketek 132 849.
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