when is riverfire 2023

Riverfire 2023, Brisbane's iconic fireworks festival, took place on Saturday, September 2, 2023. It kicked off the Brisbane Festival with aerial displays, drones, and a massive fireworks show visible across the city.

Event Schedule

The main action unfolded in the evening:

• 5:00pm : C17A Globemaster flyover.
• 5:15pm : EA-18G Growler display.
• 5:25pm : Army Tiger Helicopter show.
• 7:05pm–7:25pm : Peak fireworks from rooftops, barges, and bridges (11 tonnes of fireworks!).

• 7:45pm & 9:15pm: "Spirit of the Whale" drone shows (repeated Sunday, September 3).

Why It Mattered

This event drew huge crowds to South Bank, Kangaroo Point, and beyond, blending RAAF flypasts with cultural vibes to launch a three-week festival of music and art. Traffic chaos and river closures were legendary—trains or early planning were key, as locals griped on Reddit about post-show exits.

Viewing Tips (From 2023 Chatter)

• Prime spots : South Bank (pre-fireworks crowds), rooftops, or cruises like YOT Club.

• Avoid : Valley for fireworks (better for parties); river ferries halted 6:30–7:30pm.

• Forum buzz highlighted parking woes and low-res TV broadcasts—classic Brissie gripes!

"If you’re reading this and not there yet, it’s probably too late already." – Reddit user on the mad rush.

Since it's now 2026, Riverfire has evolved (e.g., 2025 on September 6 with similar flair), but 2023's date stays fixed in festival lore.

TL;DR : September 2, 2023—fireworks peaked at 7:05pm.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.