Vivid Sydney 2026 is just around the corner, with less than 100 days to go. From May 22 to June 13, the city will come alive as a dazzling playground of light, music, food, theatre, talks, immersive experiences and more.
The multi-arts festival that illuminates Sydney in its darker months is gearing up for another year, after a successful run in 2025. 2025’s festival was a triumph, generating the highest May hotel occupancy since 2019 and attracting nearly 200,000 visitors across the four major nights.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said: “Vivid Sydney 2026 is set to be one of our most ambitious festivals yet. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the festival in entirely new ways and discover what’s been created for this year.
“With announced program highlights including the tallest structure, the longest installation and Australia’s biggest laser show to date, this is one to lock in the calendar as we hit the 100‑day countdown.”
This year marks the 16th edition of Vivid, with the NSW Government already unveiling a few exciting new experiences set to light up Sydney’s stage. Although the official theme of the festival is yet to be unveiled, here’s what we do know about Vivid Sydney 2026.
What’s new?
1. Recording-breaking installations
This year, Vivid will feature its tallest-ever installation, Molecule of Light, by internationally acclaimed British contemporary artist Chris Levine. Standing at 23 metres high and 17 metres wide, the installation will be visible across Sydney Harbour, from Balmain to Kirribilli. The light artist is known for pioneering work with lasers and sound frequencies, as well as his seminal piece “Lightness of Being”: a holographic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The festival will also debut its longest installation to date, in the form of Obstacle by Melbourne collective Reelize. Stretching an impressive 45 metres and combining cutting-edge light and sound, the installation promises to be an exciting, immersive spectacle.
2. Vivid Fire Kitchen finds a new home
Vivid Fire Kitchen is one of the most popular parts of Vivid Sydney, delivering a sensory feast of flames and flavour in the form of live cooking demonstrations and fire-cooked cuisine. Last year, you could find Vivid Fire Kitchen at Ultimo’s The Goods Line, but this year, you’ll have to head to Barangaroo’s Stargazer Lawn for your fire fix.
3. New nightly laser, light and water show
Festival-goers can experience a new nightly laser, light and water show at Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour. Transforming the harbour into a canvas of colour, motion and sound, choreographed water jets, audio and beams of light will cut through the night sky, creating a show that will undoubtedly be a big draw for visitors looking for funky, free installations.
Will the drones return for Vivid Sydney 2026?
Last year, to many people’s disappointment, the Vivid Sydney drone show was axed, with safety concerns cited as the main reason.
The previous year had seen thousands gather for the 700-drone show, resulting in dangerous overcrowding at Circular Quay an dtransport delays, with many comparing the scenes to New Year’s Eve.
9News has reported that the display “could return this year” with the 2026 drone show set to have “1000 drones and run for the 14 nights of the festival”.
The show would also be moved to Darling Harbour in an attempt to improve crowd safety.
According to the news platform, “The NSW government is now seeking a supplier to manage what would be one of the festival’s largest drone shows to date.”
Although there has been no official confirmation that the drone show will go ahead, it is usually the most popular event at Vivid Sydney, and with some labelling last year’s festival as lacklustre, it would be a welcome addition to the 2026 program.
When will we find out more?
The full Vivid Sydney program will be unveiled in March, although no specific date has been given. Sign up for our Sydney Travel Guide newsletter to keep updated with all things Vivid.
For more on Vivid Sydney 2026, click here.
