- The official program for Vivid 2026 has been announced.
- And they are back – the viral drone show that stopped vivid are making a return at last.
- But have the organisers got their safety act together? Let’s hope so.
Sydney Harbour will glow with colour and creativity when Vivid Sydney returns from May 22 to June 13, with organisers unveiling a packed 2026 program of light installations, music, talks and dining experiences across the city.
According to Destination NSW, the 23-night festival will illuminate some of Sydney’s most iconic waterfront precincts including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, drawing visitors into the CBD for one of the country’s largest cultural events.
But among the many installations and performances, one particular attraction has already captured public attention: the return of the Vivid drone show.
The aerial spectacle – which previously drew huge crowds to Sydney Harbour – is set to make a comeback in 2026 after being absent from last year’s festival.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the show’s return in a social media post, revealing that the display will run for 11 nights during the festival, with two performances scheduled each evening for a total of 22 shows.
While full creative details have yet to be released, early indications suggest the show could feature up to 1,000 synchronised drones, forming illuminated shapes, animations and storytelling sequences high above the harbour.
Drone light shows have rapidly become one of the most striking additions to global festivals in recent years. Developed by specialist drone entertainment companies, the displays involve hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of small LED-equipped drones flying in coordinated formations using advanced GPS technology and pre-programmed choreography.
The drones, typically operated by experienced aerial display teams working with festival producers, can create massive moving images in the sky – from animals and city icons to abstract light patterns – while offering an alternative to traditional fireworks.
At Vivid Sydney, the spectacle quickly became a crowd favourite, with thousands of spectators gathering along the harbour foreshore to watch the illuminated formations glide across the night sky.
However, the drone display was not included in the 2025 festival, following safety concerns linked to large crowds gathering in already congested harbourfront areas. In other words, they were too popular for their own good.
Authorities had raised concerns about the challenges of managing massive spectator numbers around Circular Quay, particularly after heavy crowd congestion and an incident during the 2024 event.
The popularity of the shows had created bottlenecks along narrow waterfront promenades and transport hubs, prompting organisers and state authorities to reconsider how the spectacle could be delivered safely.
For 2026, planners appear to have reworked the approach.
Instead of launching from the harbour near Circular Quay, the drone display will relocate to Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour, an area with significantly larger open viewing spaces and broader pedestrian access.
Officials believe the move will allow for better crowd dispersal, clearer sightlines and improved safety management as spectators gather to watch the performance.
Cockle Bay’s wider waterfront and proximity to Darling Harbour’s open plazas and promenades are expected to provide far more room for audiences compared with the tightly packed foreshore areas around Circular Quay.
Even so, the return of the drone show is likely to raise questions about what additional safety measures will be implemented this year.
Large-scale drone displays require strict aviation oversight, including airspace approvals, safety buffers and operational control zones. Crowd management is equally critical, particularly at major public events like Vivid Sydney where nightly attendance can reach tens of thousands.
Authorities have yet to release full operational details for the show, including the final number of drones involved, flight zones or security arrangements.
However, with the display set to run across 11 nights of the festival, organisers will be hoping the new location and revised planning help ensure the aerial spectacle can return safely – and continue to be one of Vivid’s most memorable highlights.
Further announcements about the show are expected closer to the festival’s opening night.
To see the full program here.
