The dates for the Brisbane Festival have been confirmed as 1 – 23 September 2023 and this year Riverfire will kick off the festivities for opening weekend on Saturday 2 September.
This year’s Brisbane Festival program is jam-packed with lots of exciting and engaging shows and events for Brisbane Kids and their families. Highlights on the 2023 program include Brisbane Serenades, Flamingos, Nigeeroo Spirit of the Whale drone show, Hide the Dog, 10,000 Kazoos, an 80’s street party and of course, the iconic Riverfire. As usual, Brisbane Festival 2023 will be filled with the awesome events that Brisbane Kids and adults alike will love!
Brisbane Festival starts on 1st September and continues into the first week of school holidays until Saturday 23rd September, giving Brisbane Kids the opportunity to participate in the festivities. The Festival provides a mix of free and ticketed events across lots of Brisbane’s premier entertainment venues, including South Bank, QPAC, Brisbane City Hall, Old Government House, the Judith Wright Centre and Brisbane Powerhouse.
Check out our list of all the family friendly Brisbane Festival 2023 highlights below, appearing in order of starting date.
Riverfire 2023
When: Saturday 2 September 2023 at 7pm
Where: All areas, South Bank
Tickets: FREE
The iconic Riverfire is a not to be missed fireworks spectacular that will officially close the Brisbane Festival. Families come from all over Queensland to watch this world class display, which features fireworks fired from multiple bridges, barges and city rooftops, plus aerobatics from the Super Hornets and helicopters set to an amazing soundtrack.
For more information and the best vantage points click here.
Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale
When: 2 & 3 September
Where: Australian Retirement Trust Festival Gardens, Stanley Street, South Brisbane
Cost: free
Brisbane’s night sky has never looked so spectacular. Join Brisbane Festival for a Festival first, as 400 drones dazzle over Brisbane’s iconic skyline celebrating our ancient stories of culture and place with a show directed by Traditional Owner and storyteller, Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences.
For more information click here https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2023/nieergoo
Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden
When: 1 – 23 September
Where: South Bank
Cost: free
An inner-city wonderland of food, wine, entertainment and discovery, the popular South Bank destination will be humming both day and night. Internationally renowned artist, Hiromi Tango, transforms Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden into a work of rainbow coloured giant peony flowers. Plus there will be roving performers, free concerts, large-scale installations and spectacular performances ensure there is something for everyone. Day or night, free and open to all, Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden is your entry to the wonder of Brisbane Festival.
For more information visit https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/festival-garden
ESC. With Us
When: 1 – 23 September
Where: King Street, Bowen Hills
Cost: free
Esc. With Us is an ode to retro-game play – a time when video games were played standing up – together. Brisbane Festival is bringing nostalgia out of our screens, out of arcade darkness and into the streets. A glowing collection of puffy gaming consoles, made from inflatables in 80s-coloured graphics inspired by Tang, Fanta and Lifesavers, call to mind the fun palace of old-school arcade parlours – places where you met your crush, made new friends to give friendship bracelets to, ate pizza and scored big.
Find out more here https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2023/esc-with-us
80’s Street Party
When: 16 September, 5pm – 9pm
Where: King Street, Bowen Hills
Cost: free
Dust off your Reeboks and break out the bubble skirt… it’s time to party! King St comes alive with a retro party that will see dance comps, rollerskating and retro disco take over for a night that will bring back fond memories for many, and be an eye opener for those younger kids on the block!
Find out more here https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2023/80s-street-party
Closing Concert: All Together Now and 10,000 Kazoos
When: 23 -September
Where: Victoria Park
Cost: free
Bring friends and family to share in the joy of an afternoon of free music and dance from around the world that will have you immersed in the celebration of music, rhythm, dance, and sound.
Join in on a high energy celebration of Pasifika culture in Siva Mai Club, a Flamenco family fiesta with Flamenco House, be one of the thousands of kazoos playing in unison; and feel the full force of one hundred local drummers banging out a glorious dance beat as Dancenorth takes the stage to close out Brisbane Festival 2023. You’ll be swept away by this wonderful celebration of some of the multicultural creatives who call Brisbane home.
For more information https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2023
For more information on all Brisbane Festival events, full program details and ticket sales click here.
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