The St Joseph’s Riverfire Family Festival gives Kangaroo Point families a local way to enjoy Riverfire on September 5. And for plenty of parents, that will sound like a relief.
Riverfire is one of Brisbane’s biggest nights. It brings colour, noise and a real sense of occasion. But it also brings crowds, queues and a fair bit of effort. Not every family wants to wrestle with that.
This is where the Kangaroo Point event steps in. It offers something simpler. It offers something closer to home.
A school message that lands well
St Joseph’s Primary School shared the event on Facebook. The post calls it “a Night to Remember… Without the Riverfire Crowds!”. It also invites families to join a relaxed, welcoming and family-friendly evening.
The school is not trying to outshine the main event. It is offering a softer option. It gives families a way to enjoy Riverfire without the usual city scramble. That will appeal to parents who want the night, but not the hassle.
It is a neat little local answer to a very big Brisbane evening.
Kangaroo Point knows this rhythm
Kangaroo Point has always sat close to the action. The river does that to a suburb. It ties the place to the city skyline and to the moments that light it up.
So a local Riverfire gathering makes sense here. It fits the suburb’s rhythm. It also gives families a reason to stay nearby, rather than head into the thick of the CBD.
That is part of the charm of the St Joseph’s Riverfire Family Festival. It feels practical. It feels familiar. And it feels built for people who want a good night without the pressure that usually comes with big city events.
A community event does not need to be loud to matter. It does not need to be flashy to feel special. Sometimes, it just needs to be well timed and well placed. This one appears to do both.
The St Joseph’s Riverfire Family Festival gives Kangaroo Point families a relaxed way to be part of Riverfire. It also adds a local touch to one of Brisbane’s most talked-about nights.
And really, that is often what community events do best. They make a big city moment feel smaller, warmer and a bit more human. That is no small thing on a busy September night.
In 2021, while standing on the deck of the Brisbane Festival’s Art Boat, Louise Bezzina looked up at the city’s bridges and imagined something more. She saw not just pathways over water, but blank canvases ready for bold colour, joyful shapes and the kind of public art that could stop people in their tracks. Four years later, Kangaroo Point Bridge, alongside the Neville Bonner and Goodwill bridges, is about to become that canvas. As Ms Bezzina prepares to deliver her final Brisbane Festival as artistic director, her vision is finally coming to life in vivid fashion.
From 5 to 27 September, these three bridges will be wrapped in playful inflatable installations by internationally acclaimed artists Craig & Karl. The duo, originally from Brisbane, have returned home with their largest project yet, Walk This Way, turning river crossings into open-air galleries that stretch high above the water.
Appointed in 2020, Ms Bezzina’s tenure began in the thick of the pandemic. With restrictions and uncertainty hanging over the arts industry, she steered Brisbane Festival through uncharted waters. Her approach was always grounded in optimism and accessibility, with a clear goal: to bring art into the everyday lives of Brisbane residents.
This year, the city becomes her final stage. Over 1,000 performances, including 21 world premieres, will play out in theatres, parks, gardens and public spaces. More than a third of the program is free.
Ms Bezzina has said this last festival feels like a gift to the city. It’s a thank you and a love letter to the place that shaped her artistic leadership. Her curatorial eye has always favoured boldness and joy. Past festivals have featured giant birds wearing party hats and hundreds of drones lighting up the river. But this time, she’s going even bigger, drawing a direct line between the art and the people who live among it.
Telling Brisbane’s Story
The Craig & Karl bridge project is just one part of a wider transformation. Their artworks will also appear across the city in an extended trail reaching the CBD, South Bank, New Farm and even Brisbane Airport. It’s designed to encourage walking, to get people off the bus or out of their car, and into the streets to experience Brisbane in a new way.
For Ms Bezzina, these visual elements are more than decorations; they are also invitations. An invitation to look up, to slow down, to feel like the city itself is celebrating.
That same philosophy shapes other parts of the program. Baleen Moondjan, created by renowned choreographer Stephen Page, will unfold on a floating barge at Queen’s Wharf. Drawing on a First Nations story passed down by Page’s grandmother, it blends dance, music and striking visual design to honour country and kin.
Theatre, Music and Memory
In Bowen Hills, the Twelfth Night Theatre, long home to amateur productions, is undergoing a refresh just in time for Gatsby at the Green Light. The show, a stylish cabaret inspired by The Great Gatsby, played to packed houses in Sydney and will now transform this beloved venue into a 1920s speakeasy. Ms Bezzina championed its inclusion as part of her ongoing commitment to breathing new life into underused local spaces.
Across the broader festival, audiences will find everything from cutting-edge contemporary dance to family-friendly music nights. Gems, a ballet trilogy by LA Dance Project and Benjamin Millepied, will make its world debut in Brisbane. And shows like The Lovers, Back to Bilo, and Tina – A Tropical Love Story continue the festival’s strong focus on storytelling with cultural roots.
Returning favourites include Riverfire and the spectacular Skylore drone display, while a new light and fire sculpture event called Afterglow will take over the City Botanic Gardens with more accessible pricing and a shorter run.
This year marks the festival’s 29th year, and Louise Bezzina’s last as its leader. In October, she will move into her new role as CEO and Artistic Director of Brisbane Powerhouse. But her mark on Brisbane Festival is likely to endure far beyond this season.
She often described her goal as helping Brisbane fall in love with its festival. As the city gets ready to walk across bridges turned into rainbows, float beside whales made of bone, and gather under fireworks and firelight, that love seems stronger than ever.
This year’s Brisbane Festival boasts 15 firing locations and a staggering 11 tonnes of fireworks for an unprecedented spectacle. Synchronised to a remarkable soundtrack by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, it promises to be the most spectacular opening ever. Don’t miss our tips for the best place to dine and view the Riverfire festival.
On 2 September 2023, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust returns, marking the opening weekend of this year’s Brisbane Festival with about half a million spectators expected to converge along the city’s waterfront to witness the extravaganza.
Photo Credit: Brisbane Festival / brisbanefestival.com.au
But before the fireworks spectacle which will start at 7.05 pm, Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler and a C-17A Globemaster III will treat festival goers with flypasts and flying displays beginning at 5 pm.
Army Aviation Helicopters Display, Riverfire 2022 | Photo Credit: Brisbane Festival / Instagram F/A-18F Super Hornet Display, Riverfire 2022 | Photo Credit: Brisbane Festival / Instagram
Then at 7.45 pm and again at 9.15 pm, experience a spectacular display of 400 drones as they dazzle the Brisbane skyline and animate the dreamtime Yuggera and Toorabul story of Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale.
Photo Credit: Brisbane Festival / brisbanefestival.com.au
Directed by Traditional Owner and storyteller, Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences, the show is a journey through Meanjin Brisbane’s 65,000-year-old past with an original score by Guy Webster.
Eagles Nest offers one of the best vantage points to witness the Riverfire display whilst enjoying a four-hour all-inclusive food and drink party package beginning at 5 p.m. You can secure your tickets online for the Ultimate Riverfire Party 2023, starting at $249.
The Terrace, South Bank Emporium Hotel South Bank | 267 Grey Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Photo Credit: Emporium Hotel South Bank / emporiumhotels.com.au
Elevate your experience at The Terrace, perched atop Emporium Hotel South Bank in South Brisbane. For just $299 per person, indulge in a four-hour extravaganza of premium canapés, late-night delights, and an exquisite house-made dessert showcase.
Photo Credit: Emporium Hotel South Bank / emporiumhotels.com.au
Sip on Mumm champagne, savour Olmeca Altos Tequila creations at the pop-up margarita bar, explore Queensland spirits and fine wines and choose from select tap beers and non-alcoholic beverages. From 5 – 9 p.m., revel in this unmatched culinary and entertainment spectacle with live performances. Secure your spot here to witness Brisbane City’s Riverfire like never before.
Felons Brewing Co. 5 Boundary Street,Brisbane City QLD 4000
Felons Brewing Co., promises an explosive Riverfire experience in 2023. Ensure your prime spot and indulge in a delectable set menu featuring Kilroy sirloin and an artisanal cheese board, priced at $85 per person plus live music will keep the festive vibes alive. Reserve your spot online for peace of mind, or embrace spontaneity by walking in and choosing your ideal vantage point upon arrival.
Photo Credit: Felons Brewing Co. / Instagram
Greca, Brisbane City Howards Smith Wharves 3/5 Boundary Street, Brisbane 4000
Photo Credit: Greca / greca.com.au
Experience this event in style at Greca in the heart of Brisbane City. Immerse yourself in the pyrotechnic spectacle while savouring a sumptuous Greek feast. For $170 per person, enjoy a mouthwatering share-style menu and a two-hour beverage package.
Photo Credit: Greca / greca.com.au
Delight in signature dishes like oven-baked lamb shoulder with Greek yoghurt, garlic and parsley roast potatoes, and grilled octopus with pickled chilli. Elevate your evening with the $280 package, which includes additional libations for an extra special night. Secure your spot online and prepare for a memorable night of delectable cuisine and dazzling fireworks at Greca. Reserve your seats here.
Valley Hops Brewing Rooftop Brewery, 641 Ann Street Fortitude Valley
Photo Credit: Valley Hops Brewing / valleyhopsbrewing.com.au
Valley Hops Brewing in Fortitude Valley invites you to savour icy-cold brews whilst taking in spectacular views from their rooftop. Local DJs set the vibe as you enjoy a fresh perspective and a stunning display of the Story Bridge, The Valley, and the city skyline.
Photo Credit: Valley Hops Brewing / Instagram
Delight in an array of freshly brewed craft beers on tap, including the exclusive limited-release Riverfire Saison, crafted especially for this occasion whilst you relish grilled delights and wood-fired pizza. This event is on a walk-in basis only, so there is no need to book a reservation but you may have to arrive early to secure your spot for this one-of-a-kind experience.
