Brisbane Festival returns from 4 to 26 September 2026, and the organisers say around seventy per cent of the program is free — which for a lot of people is the difference between going and not going. Riverfire opens the fireworks over the river on 5 September, the new Bright Nights show lights up the water nightly with fountains and lasers set to a soundtrack by The Veronicas, and the program runs from West End musicals to the Bridge to Brisbane fun run mid-month.
Riverfire is spectacular — and loud
It has to be said plainly: Riverfire is one of the most sensorially intense nights on the Australian calendar. Huge crowds, big sound, fireworks overhead. If that’s your idea of a great night, the riverbank vantage points at South Bank publish accessible viewing information each year. If it’s not, Bright Nights runs every evening of the festival — same river, same spectacle, a fraction of the crush. Having both options is the point.
South Bank does the heavy lifting
Much of the festival happens in and around South Bank and QPAC, a precinct that’s genuinely strong on published access information — lifts, accessible toilets, flat riverside paths. Our Queensland venue pages carry details and scores where available for venues across Brisbane, so you can check a specific theatre or riverside spot before committing to a show.
Build your festival
With hundreds of events across three weeks, the festival rewards choosing by energy as much as interest — one big night, a few gentle ones. Browse what’s on across Queensland on our events page, look up the venues that matter to your plans, and confirm anything critical with the venue or festival access line before the night.
