Riverfire 2022

Overview

Spring in Brisbane means many things: jacarandas blooming, and their purple flowers scattering around the streets; knowing that the city's five chilly days for the year are well and truly behind us; and the citywide arts and culture event that is Brisbane Festival, for starters. As part of the latter, it's also when Riverfire brightens up the Brissie night sky, usually to end the fest — but in 2022, it's helping start the fun (and the month) instead.

After a chaotic few years for the annual fireworks display — which was scaled back in 2019, then replaced with a light and laser show in 2020 due to the pandemic — Riverfire is moving to the beginning of Brisbane Festival this year. So, it'll liven up the place on Saturday, September 3, kicking off with the ADF displays at 5pm, then getting the fireworks popping from 7pm.

The reason for the shift of dates: to move the event out of school holidays. Still, if you don't have kids, you might still be looking forward to beginning Brisbane Festival with a pyrotechnics display, rather than farewelling it.

Of course, no matter when it's held, Riverfire always attracts a crowd. Usually, more than 500,000 people attend, and South Brisbane sports the masses of people to prove it — as does anywhere with a decent vantage over the river.

As always, the Riverfire playlist will be simulcast via Triple M, too, while Channel Nine will broadcast the fireworks if you can't get a decent view.

Even if fireworks aren't usually your thing, you might still be interested in the Riverfire shindigs that always pop up on the night, with bars around town usually throwing plenty of parties with quite the lit-up backdrop.