The Brisbane Festival 2025 kicked off with a breathtaking Riverfire display, featuring a spectacular flyover and fireworks that lit up the night sky. As darkness fell, fireworks were launched from multiple pontoons, buildings, and bridges, creating an immersive sound-and-light show that enveloped spectators along the riverbanks. This opening event set the stage for a festival that celebrates the vibrant spirit of Brisbane.
The river, a central feature of both the city and its festival, becomes a bustling thoroughfare during the event, ferrying people on boats, bikes, scooters, and on foot to various venues. Both sides of the river are fully pedestrianized, allowing easy access to the festival’s myriad attractions.
Artistic Transformations and Cultural Celebrations
Throughout September, Brisbane’s pedestrian bridges are transformed by the festival’s signature visuals. This year, expatriate Brisbane artists Craig & Karl, in collaboration with digital artist David McLeod, have adorned the city with brilliant, bold, and brightly colored artworks, installations, and inflatable sculptures. These visual spectacles, which appear not only on bridges but also in windows and street corners, embody the festival vibe: fun, arresting, and edgy.
A public art trail app guides viewers to each installation, though many visitors delight in the joy of accidental discovery as they explore the city. The festival boasts more than 100 events across over 40 venues, with dance being a particularly strong offering. International acts such as LA Dance Project, Club Guy and Roni, and the Netherlands’ ISH Dance Collective are set to perform, promising an “adrenaline-fueled explosion of extreme urban sports, dance, music, and theatre” during the final weekend.
Highlighting First Nations Stories
Performances centering First Nations stories include notable productions like Baleen Moondjan, The Boodong’s Song, and Breaking Ground. Among the most original offerings is the Dance Battle of the Burbs, a satirical dance-off by The Common People Dance Project Eisteddfod. Here, participants dressed in sequined armor compete in a playful suburban gladiator-style dance battle. The Common People Dance Project also hosts free dance workshops throughout the festival, inviting everyone to join in the fun.
Theatrical Highlights and Community Engagement
One standout from the opening weekend was Back to Bilo, a “verbatim” play that uses real-life interviews to tell the story of Sri Lankan refugees Nades and Priya. The play combines reportage, lighting, archival footage, and the stunning vocals of Menaca Thomas to recount the couple’s journey from a small town in regional Queensland to their detention and the community’s fight for their release.
Another highlight was Gatsby at the Green Light, an energetic and immersive spectacle inspired by Fitzgerald’s ambiance. The audience becomes part of the action, with some seated in the bar of the set, interacting with the cast before the show. The performance features juggling, tap-dancing, strip-teasing, and aerial tricks, weaving through the glitzy love story of Gatsby and Daisy.
Outdoor Experiences and Cultural Diversity
The festival extends beyond traditional venues, spilling into outdoor spaces. Every night, the walk-through sound-and-light installation Afterglow transforms the city’s botanic gardens into a “slow-burn multisensory journey,” with thousands of flames illuminating the pathways. The soundscapes are enhanced by the local fruit bats, and visitors can enjoy marshmallow toasting and refreshments at the bar, a nod to Brisbane’s renowned hospitality.
During the opening weekend, outdoor community “mini” festivals showcased Brisbane’s diverse ethnic communities with food, workshops, music, and entertainment. Highlights included Indian cooking, Italian music, a celebration of Papua New Guinea’s 50 years of independence, and Pacific art at Pacifica Made.
Looking Ahead: A Festival Finale to Remember
The festival will conclude with a grand finale, echoing its spectacular beginning. Skylore: Nieergoo – Spirit of the Whale returns for its third year, featuring hundreds of drones flying above the city. Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences will narrate a powerful story of culture, country, and connection, celebrating the essence of Brisbane.
As the Brisbane Festival 2025 unfolds, it continues to captivate audiences with its diverse array of performances, art installations, and cultural experiences. The festival not only highlights the city’s artistic and cultural vibrancy but also fosters a sense of community and connection among its residents and visitors alike.
