After its cancellation last year, one of the most anticipated and widely-viewed events, the Vivid Sydney Drone Show, is set to return in 2026. Here’s where to get the best views.
The Vivid Sydney Drone Show will illuminate Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour every Sunday to Wednesday throughout the festival (excluding June 7). Featuring 1,000 drones, the spectacle returns for its longest season yet, with 22 performances staged across 12 nights at its new waterfront home.
Titled Star-Bound, the show is a celebration of universal connection, exploring the recurring patterns found across nature, wildlife and the cosmos. Set to an orchestral score by acclaimed Australian composer Antony Partos, the drones will move in synchronised formations, transforming into towering waves, spiralling Fibonacci shells and glowing nebulae across the night sky.
In 2024, the Vivid Sydney Drone Show drew massive crowds to Circular Quay, leading to significant overcrowding concerns. Those issues contributed to the show’s cancellation in 2025; however, organisers are hoping its move to Cockle Bay (along with a longer run of more frequent performances) will help better manage crowd numbers in 2026.
That said, planning is still essential if you want to secure the best vantage point for the dazzling spectacle. Here are our top picks for where to watch the 2026 Vivid Sydney Drone Show.
When are the Vivid Sydney Drone Shows?
Every drone show will feature the same Star-Bound performance, beginning at 7:30pm and 9:30pm on the following nights:
- Sunday 24 May
- Monday 25 May
- Tuesday 26 May
- Wednesday 27 May
- Sunday 31 May
- Monday 1 June
- Tuesday 2 June
- Wednesday 3 June
- Monday 8 June
- Tuesday 9 June
- Wednesday 10 June
Where to watch the Vivid Sydney Drone Shows?
Drone Show cruises
What better place to take in the drone show than from the water, with uninterrupted views and no obstacles in sight? This year, various harbour cruise lines are hosting specific cruises designed to give you the best views of the drone show.
With exclusive Vivid Sydney Drone Show voyages, Fantasea Cruising is ready to bring you close to the action, from $57 per adult and $47 per child. Departing either from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, this short but sweet cruise will take you on an hour-long voyage to enjoy the show, snap some top-tier pics and enjoy not only the drone show, but the full effect of Vivid Sydney from the water.
Captain Cook Cruises will also host a range of Vivid-themed cruises, offering a complete evening experience with multi-course dining and drinks available for purchase as you glide across the harbour.
From the decadent Vivid Gold Dinner, featuring a six-course degustation menu and live music (from $225 per person), to a Vivid Starlight Dinner with four-course premium a la carte dining ($139) and the most budget-friendly option, the Vivid Special Dinner, a three-course menu ($109).
Be sure to book on a drone show night (highlighted on their website) and watch the spectacle unfold as you dine under the stars (and the drones, of course).
Waterfront bars and restaurants
Sip your drink, graze on share plates and settle into the spacious seating at these bars for prime views of the Vivid Drone Show. Many are also rolling out Vivid specials, with Bungalow 8 pouring $16 cocktails from 5–7pm, Cargo Bar hosting a rotating lineup of DJs, and Darling Pavilion serving a $65 set menu.
If you’re feeling especially indulgent, book a table at the Champagne Bar at Sofitel Darling Harbour and sip perfectly chilled champagnes and cuvées alongside local wines, fresh oysters and caviar bumps, all while taking in the show through the venue’s expansive harbour-facing windows.
Book a table in advance at one of Cockle Bay or Darling Harbour’s waterfront bars and restaurants to secure your spot and enjoy the drone show without battling the crowds or worrying about finding a view.
Rooftop views
Experience the Vivid Sydney Drone Show from a rooftop and be closer than ever to the spectacular display. Head to Home Rooftop and enjoy their premium viewing position, three drinks and live DJs included in your ticket, which starts at $59 per person.
Other rooftop bars worth adding to your drone show plans include Above 319, perched atop Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour; Zephyr, the sophisticated sky bar on Level 12 of Hyatt Regency Sydney; and W Sydney’s sleek rooftop venue, 29/30, one of the city’s best vantage points for sweeping skyline and waterfront views.
For more information on the 2026 Vivid Sydney Drone Shows, click here.
