.webp)
Quick Answer
Brisbane Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 26 September, opening with the Riverfire fireworks on Saturday 5 September. BIGSOUND takes over Fortitude Valley from 1 to 4 September, and Woodford Folk Festival closes the year out from 27 December.
- BIGSOUND: 1 to 4 September 2026, Fortitude Valley, 18+
- Brisbane Festival: 4 to 26 September 2026, venues citywide, free and ticketed
- Riverfire: Saturday 5 September 2026, free from the riverside
- Woodford Folk Festival: 27 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
- Ekka: back 7 to 15 August 2027
Brisbane Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 26 September, and Riverfire opens it with fireworks over the river on Saturday 5 September. Add BIGSOUND in the Valley the same week, the Ekka every August and Woodford over New Year, and there is something worth planning a trip around most months of the year.
Below is every date you need, what each one actually costs, and where to base yourself so you’re close to the fun.
In This Blog
- What Makes Brisbane Festivals So Epic?
- Top Brisbane Festivals
- Brisbane Festival
- Woodford Folk Festival
- BIGSOUND
- Brisbane Comedy Festival
- NRL Magic Round
- Paniyiri Greek Festival
- Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
- Ekka (Royal Queensland Show)
- Tips for Getting Around Brisbane
- What to Pack for a Brisbane Festival
- Where to Stay for Brisbane Festival
- Frequently Asked Questions About Brisbane Festivals
What Makes Brisbane Festivals So Epic?
It's the range. World-class arts, cultural street parties, live music and a 150-year-old agricultural show, spread right across the year. And when one is on, the city is easy to move around — you can catch a show at South Bank, grab lunch in Fortitude Valley and end up at a rooftop bar in Woolloongabba without breaking a sweat.
Brisbane’s festivals also embrace the city’s laid-back spirit. Even the biggest events maintain that welcoming, unpretentious vibe that makes everyone feel at home. Whether you’re a festival veteran or first-timer, you’ll find your tribe here. Plus, with the city’s subtropical climate, festival season never really ends!
Top Brisbane Festivals
Here is the whole year at a glance, in the order they happen. Brisbane Festival is on now and runs until 26 September, then Woodford Folk Festival closes the year out from 27 December.
| Festival | Next dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| BIGSOUND | 1 to 4 September 2026 | Fortitude Valley |
| Brisbane Festival | 4 to 26 September 2026 | Venues across Brisbane |
| Riverfire | Saturday 5 September 2026 | Brisbane River |
| Woodford Folk Festival | 27 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 | Woodfordia, Woodford |
| Brisbane Comedy Festival | 19 April to 23 May 2027 | Brisbane Powerhouse and city venues |
| NRL Magic Round | May 2027, dates due around November | Suncorp Stadium, Milton |
| Paniyiri Greek Festival | 22 to 23 May 2027 | Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, and The Greek Club |
| Scenic Rim Eat Local Month | June 2027 | Scenic Rim region |
| Ekka (Royal Queensland Show) | 7 to 15 August 2027 | Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills |
Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 26 September. Australia’s largest arts festival transforms South Bank into a cultural playground for three weeks. This heavyweight event brings together theatre, dance, music, and visual arts across multiple venues. The festival’s free outdoor events are legendary. Think riverside concerts, street performances, and the famous Riverfire fireworks that light up the entire city. Book accommodation early – this one draws crowds from across Australia.
Riverfire opens the festival on Saturday 5 September 2026, with Defence Force flyovers in the late afternoon and about 20 minutes of fireworks from 7pm. It is free to watch from the parklands and cliffs along the river. For the best vantage points, the full timings and how to get in and out, read our guide to Riverfire 2026.
- When: 4 to 26 September 2026
- Where: South Bank and venues across Brisbane
- Cost: Mix of free and ticketed events, with ticketed shows priced per production
- Family-friendly: Absolutely – kids’ programs and free outdoor performances
- How to get tickets: Purchase tickets directly through Brisbane Festival’s official website
Woodford Folk Festival
Woodford Folk Festival runs from 27 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. Australia’s most beloved folk festival creates a temporary city of music lovers just one hour north of Brisbane. This six-day camping experience features 2,000+ performers across 35+ venues. The festival’s “cultural menu” includes everything from world music to comedy, poetry, and workshops. Shuttle buses run from Brisbane, but many festival-goers drive and camp on-site for the full experience.
- When: 27 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
- Where: Woodfordia, Woodford (about an hour north of Brisbane)
- Cost: Adult season pass from $560, or from $710 with camping. Kids 6 to 12 from $80, and under 6s are free
- Family-friendly: Extremely – dedicated kids’ areas and family camping
- How to get tickets: Buy tickets through the official Woodford Folk Festival website. Prices rise in tiers, so earlier is cheaper
BIGSOUND
BIGSOUND runs from 1 to 4 September 2026, with the showcase nights across 1 to 3 September. It showcases new music talent across Fortitude Valley’s live music venues, combining public showcases with music industry conferences. 2026 is its 25th anniversary.
The Valley’s layout means you can venue-hop easily, discovering your new favourite band every few hours. Many emerging artists use BIGSOUND as their launching pad to bigger things.
- When: 1 to 4 September 2026
- Where: Fortitude Valley venues
- Cost: Music festival passes from $69 for one night or $129 for three nights. Industry delegate passes are $849 for QMusic members and $899 full price
- Family-friendly: No, it is 18+ across all ticket types
- How to get tickets: Music festival passes through Oztix, delegate passes through the official BIGSOUND website
Brisbane Comedy Festival
The Brisbane Comedy Festival returns from 19 April to 23 May 2027. Heads up if you have been here before: it is no longer a February and March festival; it now runs across late April and May. It turns the city into Australia’s laugh capital, with venues across town hosting local and international comedians. The Powerhouse is still the hub, with shows also spilling into The Tivoli, The Fortitude Music Hall and The Princess Theatre. Book early for big-name international acts, they sell out fast.
- When: 19 April to 23 May 2027
- Where: Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm, plus city venues
- Cost: Individual shows from about $26, with mainstage shows around $50
- Family-friendly: Dedicated kids’ shows and family-friendly performances, though most of the program is aimed at adults
- How to get tickets: Tickets available through the official Brisbane Comedy Festival website and individual venue box offices. The 2027 line-up drops around November
NRL Magic Round
NRL Magic Round is back at Suncorp Stadium in May 2027, with exact dates due when the draw lands around November. It transforms Brisbane into rugby league’s unofficial capital, with every NRL team playing at the one stadium. 2026 ran 14 to 17 May with eight games plus Women’s State of Origin.
The festival atmosphere spills into the streets, with fan zones, live music, and rugby league legends appearing throughout the city. Book accommodation months in advance – this weekend sells out Brisbane’s short-stay options fast.
- When: May 2027, dates confirmed with the NRL draw around November 2026
- Where: Suncorp Stadium, Milton
- Cost: Single match and multi-day passes, with 2027 prices released when tickets go on sale, usually in December
- Family-friendly: Perfect for families – kids’ activities and fan zones
- How to get tickets: Through the official NRL Magic Round page, ticketed via Ticketek
Paniyiri Greek Festival
The Paniyiri Greek Festival returns to Musgrave Park on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May 2027. 2026 was its 50th year. This two-day celebration turns the park into a slice of the Mediterranean, with traditional Greek food, music, and dancing. The festival’s food stalls are legendary – think fresh souvlaki, baklava, and Greek coffee. Traditional dancing performances happen throughout both days.
- When: 22 and 23 May 2027
- Where: Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, and The Greek Club
- Cost: Around $18 for an adult day ticket, $5 for seniors at the gate, and kids under 13 free with an adult
- Family-friendly: Perfect for families – kids’ activities and cultural performances
- How to get tickets: Through the official Paniyiri website or at the gate on festival days
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is a June festival, returning in 2027 with tickets on sale from April. 2026 ran from 29 May to 28 June. It celebrates the region’s farm-to-table movement through restaurant specials, farmers markets, and agricultural tours, spread across the hinterland just south of Brisbane.
The Winter Harvest Festival at Kalbar is the one to build a weekend around.
- When: June 2027 (2026 ran 29 May to 28 June)
- Where: Scenic Rim region (an hour south of Brisbane)
- Cost: Free to browse, with individual dining events and tours ticketed separately
- Family-friendly: Excellent for families – farm visits and educational activities
- How to get tickets: Event by event through the official Eat Local Month website
Ekka (Royal Queensland Show)
The Ekka takes over the Showgrounds every August, and the 2027 show runs 7 to 15 August. Brisbane’s beloved agricultural show combines farm heritage with thrilling rides and showbags galore. The Ekka’s agricultural competitions showcase Queensland’s farming excellence, while the sideshow alley provides carnival thrills. Don’t miss the famous strawberry sundaes, they’re an Ekka institution.
There is a lot to get through in a day, so it is worth planning your run at it with our full Ekka guide.
- When: 7 to 15 August 2027, with the Ekka public holiday on Wednesday 11 August
- Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
- Cost: Prices are released closer to the show
- Family-friendly: Absolutely! Rides, animals, and showbags are kid magnets
- How to get tickets: Through the official Ekka website or at the gate, though online is cheaper
Tips for Getting Around Brisbane
Public transport is the easiest way to get to these events, and home again afterwards. Brisbane's network runs extra services during the major festivals, so you're not stuck driving or paying surge pricing at the end of the night.
Transport options:
- CityCat ferries: Perfect for South Bank festivals, running every 15-20 minutes
- Buses: Extra services to major festivals, with dedicated festival stops
- Train: Direct services into Exhibition station for the Ekka. Parking near the Showgrounds can hit $60 on event days and TransLink fares are 50 cents, so the train is the easy call
- Ride-sharing: Surge pricing during peak times, but convenient for late-night venues
- Riverfire: public transport is free to and from the event, so leave the car at home
Of course, when you stay at one of Rambla’s Brisbane stays, you could find yourself within walking distance of the inner-city events.
What to Pack for a Brisbane Festival
Pack for sun and sudden storms, because Brisbane will give you both in the same afternoon. Brisbane’s weather can shift from sunny to stormy in minutes, so pack smart.
Festival essentials:
- Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, and SPF 30+ sunscreen
- Rain gear: Compact umbrella or poncho for afternoon storms
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll be doing lots of walking and standing
- Portable charger: Essential for tickets, maps, and staying connected
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and reduce waste
- Small backpack: For carrying essentials between venues
- A warm layer for early September nights, especially if you are on the river for Riverfire
Many festivals have bag restrictions, so check individual event guidelines before packing.
Where to Stay for Brisbane Festival
Base yourself in the precinct closest to the event you're there for, so you can walk both ways.
For Brisbane Festival and Riverfire — Rambla @ Story House in Kangaroo Point puts you minutes from the Cliffs, one of the best free Riverfire viewing spots, and a walk over the bridge from South Bank. Rambla @ South/City/SQ in Woolloongabba is the other river pick, with a rooftop terrace and pool if you would rather watch from above the crowd.
For the Ekka — Rambla @ Perry House in Bowen Hills is around a 20 minute walk from the Showgrounds, or a couple of stops on the train if you've got tired kids in tow. Worth knowing: event-day parking near the grounds can run upwards of $60, while a TransLink fare is 50 cents, so walking or the train is far and away the cheapest way in.
For BIGSOUND — Rambla @ Berwick House is in Fortitude Valley, in the middle of the venues, which matters when you are venue-hopping until 2am.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Brisbane’s Festival Scene
Whether you’re planning a weekend or a month-long festival adventure, Rambla’s Brisbane locations put you right in the heart of the action – Story House in Kangaroo Point for riverside festivals, Perry House in Bowen Hills for unmatched CBD access, Berwick House in Fortitude Valley for music events, and South City SQ in Woolloongabba for everything in between. Booking directly gets you bonuses like complimentary parking and late check-out when you need a bit of a sleep-in.
Ready to dive into Australia’s most diverse festival scene? Book your Brisbane base today, and see what else is on in Brisbane this year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brisbane Festivals
When is Brisbane Festival 2026?
Brisbane Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 26 September. It opens with Riverfire on Saturday 5 September and runs across venues right through the city, with a mix of free and ticketed events.
What festivals are happening in Brisbane in 2026?
Brisbane Festival is running right now, from 4 to 26 September, and Woodford Folk Festival closes the year out from 27 December. Already done for 2026 are the Brisbane Comedy Festival, NRL Magic Round, Paniyiri, Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, the Ekka, BIGSOUND and Riverfire on 5 September.
What date will Riverfire be in 2026?
Riverfire 2026 is on Saturday 5 September, with the fireworks from 7pm. Our Riverfire 2026 guide has the flyover times, the best free viewing spots and how to get home afterwards.
What festivals are happening in Brisbane this weekend?
September is the busiest stretch of the year, with Brisbane Festival running most of the month and something on almost every night. Check the Brisbane Festival program for what is on the weekend you are here.
Are Brisbane Festival events free?
Plenty of them are. Riverfire is free to watch from anywhere public along the river, and the festival runs free outdoor events and installations across the three weeks. The theatre, music and cabaret shows are ticketed and priced per production.
