Riverfire event

Riverfire is a significant cultural event and fireworks spectacular held annually in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Taking place on a Saturday night, the 2026 edition on September 6 was a key part of the Brisbane Festival, operating under the inaugural "Switch On, Light Up, Come Alive" theme directed by Ebony Bott. The event transforms the city's skyline with a dazzling pyrotechnic display.

The fireworks are launched from various points, including the city’s bridges, skyscrapers, and multiple river barges, with the 80-meter-high Story Bridge often central to the action. For the 2026 show, an additional sixth fireworks barge was installed between the Victoria Bridge and Neville Bonner Bridge to extend the display and bring it closer to the city center. Beyond the pyrotechnics, the event also features an impressive aerial display by the Royal Australian Air Force, with an F/A-18F Super Hornet and a C-17A Globemaster III. Riverfire attracts an estimated 500,000 people, making it one of Brisbane's biggest annual gatherings. It typically heralds the start of the Brisbane Festival and is seen as part of the city's build-up to hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics. Despite the popularity, ferry services were impacted by strike action, necessitating additional bus provisions for attendees.