Riverstage 2027

Riverstage at a glance

Owned by Brisbane City Council, Riverstage opened on 7 September 1989, inspired by a temporary stage built for World Expo 88. The site covers about two hectares of the Botanic Gardens: a covered stage facing a sloping lawn, a few steps from the river. It suits shows that want an open-air feel without the scale of a stadium. Its neighbours are QUT’s Gardens Point campus and Parliament House. Brisbane Festival uses it regularly, and when a sell-out pushes past the lawn’s limit, an adjacent screening area can be opened. Confirmed 2027 dates include FOREVERAFTER on 30 January, Lizzy McAlpine, Empire of the Sun, Malcolm Todd, UB40 and Jorja Smith in November.

How to get to Riverstage

Riverstage is at 59 Gardens Point Road, inside the City Botanic Gardens at the southern tip of the CBD. The QUT Gardens Point CityCat terminal is a few minutes away on foot. From Central station allow 15 to 20 minutes walking down through the city; King George Square and Queen Street bus stations are similar. From South Bank, cross the Goodwill Bridge, and from Kangaroo Point the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge lands at the city end near the gardens. Car parking around Gardens Point is limited and expensive on show nights.

Making the most of a night at Riverstage

The lawn is mostly general admission; many people bring a picnic blanket, but check each event’s entry conditions for what you may bring. The slope gives decent sightlines from the middle, while the front fills early. Summer evenings can turn wet quickly, so a light rain jacket is worth carrying when storms are forecast. Food and drink are available inside; leaving through the gardens towards the city spreads the crowd and is often quicker than waiting for transport at the gate.