Brisbane Festival 2025 returns this year with a bumper program of events, and we’re ever so ready for it! Celebrating the lifestyle, persona and energy of our river city, this highly anticipated event brings an enormous calendar of performances, art and cultural events back to our doorsteps.

The annual Brisbane Festival is back this September, and we’ve found the best events this month to celebrate our beautiful city.

What you might not know is that Brisbane Festival emerged from the Warana Festival, which saw its inaugural year in 1961 with beauty pageants, a drama festival and various other cultural and entertainment events on the calendar.

Fast-forward to 1996, and we have the beginnings of what we now know as the Brisbane Festival. From light shows and renowned artist performances to incredible installations to immerse yourself in, this is the best time of year to explore the growing pace of Brisbane’s arts and cultural scene.

This year, you’ll find light shows, installations, a myriad of immersive and theatrical performances, Blak excellence from our First Nations folk as well as some friendly, free and affordable events.

With South Brisbane and the CBD seeing most of the action for the river city’s annual festival, we invite you to scroll through our guide to the best events happening across the month.

Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust

Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust

Brisbane Festival wouldn’t be complete without the annual Riverfire headliner event, but this year we see it mark the opening of the Festival, rather than act as a finale.

This fireworks’ extravaganza can be enjoyed from multiple viewpoints around the city, but if you score a front-row spot along the Brisbane River, you’ll get to experience an integrated large-scale First Nations-led visual performance that celebrates the beauty, creativity and wisdom of Australia’s Indigenous culture.

Riverfire gets bigger and better every year, so make 2024 your moment to enjoy the awe-inspiring display of light and colour.

Sitchu Tip: Check out our guide to the best vantage points, events and hotels to book for Riverfire 2025.

Free admission

Saturday 6 September, Entertainment from 4:00pm, fireworks from 7pm

Brisbane River and surrounds

ANZ’s Walk This Way by Craig & Karl

Brisbane’s walking bridges will be transformed throughout September thanks to our very own Brissie-born art and design superstars, Craig and Karl. Usually collaborating from their respective New York and London bases, the pair will return to Brisbane for the installation of their vibrant work across the Neville Bonner Bridge, Goodwill Bridge and the Kangaroo Point Bridge.

Friday 5 September to Saturday 27 September

Free admission

Neville Bonner Bridge, Goodwill Bridge, and the new Kangaroo Point Bridge

Afterglow

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens will be transformed for Brisbane Festival 2025, with an immersive audiovisual show by the name of Afterglow.

Presented by Sony Entertainment (the same team behind Lightscape), you can expect flicking fire sculptures, candlelit installations, immersive soundscapes and live performances.

This riverside stroll would make the perfect date night outing, catching up with your pals, or a contemplative solo stroll.

From $20 per person

Friday 5 September to Saturday 27 September, time slots from 5.45pm

City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane CBD

Bad Nature

The iconic Australasian Dance Company have collaborated with the Netherlands’ Club Guy & Roni (CGR) to choreograph an exclusive performance for Brisbane Festival 2025.

Bad Nature explores how our relationship with nature changes as technology evolves, by combining movement, multisensory design, couture and more. Brought to you collaboratively by an international team of creatives, this dance project is not to be missed!

From $49 per person

Wednesday 3 September to Sunday 7 September, multiple sessions

Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm

Festitalia

Brisbane’s official Italian Festival is here! Held in the Brisbane Showgrounds on Father’s Day (the perfetto famiglia day out!), this vibrant cultural festival celebrates all things food, fun and festivities… Italian-style.

Tuck into traditional Italian eats (think wood-fired pizza, regional pasta specialities, gelato, wine and espresso), enjoy live entertainment and explore artisanal stalls… Festitalia has it all!

Free Admission

Sunday 7 September, 11.00am to 6.00pm

Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills

Grinspoon

Legends of Australian alternative rock, Grinspoon, will take the stage as part of the Night at The Parkland event (a brand-new outdoor night concert event) held in the Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre.

Making this gig extra special is the fact that it’s also Grinspoon’s 30th anniversary, so they’ll be celebrating with some pals. Loose Content will open the stage, and BAD//DREEMS will well and truly warm things up before Grinspoon come on to take you on a trip down memory lane.

From $89.75 per person

Friday 12 September, 6:00 pm

Roma Street Parkland, 1 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane City

Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the ’90s

In the 1990s, a vibrant underground LGBTQIA+ scene was emerging. Underground nightclubs and dance parties paved the way for protest and pride, and created a safe space for queer folk and allies to wear their fabulous ‘fits and celebrate their unique identities.

Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, this September you can explore an original exhibition named Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the ’90s.

The exhibition is free to attend, and collates fashion and pop culture alongside the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Explore pieces from the museum’s fashion and textile collections, and transport yourself back to a nineties dance floor through fashion, objects and insights.

Friday 5 September to Saturday 27 September, open daily 9:30am – 5:00pm

Free Admission

Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Level 2, Corners of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane

The Alexander Ball

If you have a love for ballroom, there’s no doubt that The Alexander Ball is already on your radar. Back for its sixth year running, this competition is curated by Ella Ganza – a Samoan-Maori trans woman of colour and Mother to the trailblazing House of Alexander.

Creating a platform for self-expression and pride, Australian and international walkers will compete for the Grand Prize across multiple categories.

From $50.00 per person

Saturday 13 September, 7:00pm

The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba

Late Night Vice

Something mysterious is unfolding at West End Electric for Brisbane Festival this year. A mischievous, glamorous and somewhat chaotic cabaret will take the stage, and it comes with a black, glittery dress code!

No phones are allowed at this evening of debauchery, seductive spectacles and subversive performances that are best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. Late Night Vice is the ultimate night out for lovers of thrills, performance and cheeky theatrics.

From $49 per person

Thursday 4 September to Saturday 27 September

West End Electric, 125 Boundary Street, West End

Lime Cordiale & Jack River

Hailing from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, brothers Louis and Oli Leimbach are the duo behind indie pop band Lime Cordiale, whose energetic live performances and genuine interactions with fans have made them one of Australia’s most in-demand acts.

Joining them for an epic performance at Roma Street Parkland is the triple ARIA Award-nominated dynamo Jack River.

Watch Riverfire light up the sky in the distance, as you wait in the Parkland’s beautiful surrounds for a live show of epic proportions.

Saturday 6 September, 6:00pm

From $89.75 per person

Roma Street Parkland, 1 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane City

Skylore — Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale

Hundreds of drones will once again dazzle the Brisbane night sky this September, with the return of Skylore – Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale.

Celebrating Country and Place as Traditional Owner Yuggera and Turrbal man Shannon Ruska retells the story of Niergoo in an immersive light show that’s been described as ‘stunning, impressive and utterly beautiful’.

Free Admission

Thursday 25 September to Saturday 27 September, 7.15pm, 8.15pm and 9.15pm each night

Queen’s Wharf

Winston Surfshirt

Party with R&B royalty this September with Winston Surfshirt’s headline show at the Princess Theatre. Celebrating almost a decade of music-making, what once began as a solo project is now a project enjoyed by millions of listeners around the world.

$69.90 per person

Friday 26 September, 7:00pm

The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba

With some of the Festival’s events beginning in August, the program will be in full swing from September 1st, and we recommend booking tickets now to prevent any disappointment, as events will sell out fast!

If you’re looking for more of Brisbane’s best events, scroll through our Event Guide to discover what else is happening across the city. If you’re looking for more free things to do in Brisbane, we’ve found 16 fun ways to enjoy the city without spending a dime.

Lexie is the Brisbane Editor at Sitchu and has been part of the team since October 2020. Her background lies in fashion eCommerce and content marketing, having worked in digital roles across brands like Lorna Jane, Black Milk Clothing and dk active. A Brisbane native, Lexie covers food, lifestyle, events, and travel guides for the Sunshine State. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, visiting coffee spots or snapping shots of her rescue cat for his Instagram account.

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The Best Of Brisbane Festival Events For 2025