Brisbane authorities are closing roads and bridges and changing bus routes to manage the Riverfire fireworks crowds, with up to half a million expected in the inner city on Saturday.

South Bank will be an alcohol-free zone with security bag checks, and prohibited items include sharp objects, glass, opened bottles, and cans.

Tolls on the Clem7 will be waived from late afternoon into the evening on Saturday to ease traffic.

Free travel will be provided for commuters, with free bus rides from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at several CBD stations and free rail travel at key inner-city stations.

Aerial rehearsals will feature a C-17 Globemaster III on Thursday and two F/A-18F Super Hornets on Friday, with a final Globemaster and Super Hornets flyovers scheduled on Saturday afternoon.

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Riverfire is set to begin at 7pm, with recommended viewing spots including South Bank, Queen’s Wharf, and several parks and lookouts around the city.

Key bridges such as Victoria, Goodwill, Neville Bonner, Story, and Captain Cook will be affected, with pedestrian-only access in places during closures.

After fireworks start, most citybound buses will bypass core stations and rely on alternate routes to funnel riders toward major connections.

Drone flights are prohibited within event venue areas due to low-level aviation activity during practice and on event day.

The Brisbane River will be closed to non-permitted vessels from late afternoon to early evening between Mowbray Park and the Go Between Bridge.

Expect significant traffic congestion across central Brisbane and surrounding areas, with about 80 extra Queensland Rail services planned for the night.