Vivid Sydney 2026 dates announced – and why 2025 was the biggest yet

• Vivid Sydney has announced its 2026 dates.
• The multi-arts festival will return on Friday, May 22 and run until Saturday, June 13, 2026.
• This follows what Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, called an “overwhelming response to Vivid Sydney 2025”.

Mark your calendars — the NSW Government has officially announced the dates for Vivid Sydney 2026.

The bulbs have barely cooled on this year’s festival, but we’re already looking ahead to the next year’s Vivid celebrations. It’s set to light up Sydney once again from Friday, May 22 to Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Destination NSW is now seeking talented artists, creatives, producers, innovators and chefs to help shape the 2026 festival. Expressions of interest for Vivid Lights have closed, but if you have a bright idea for one of the other pillars — Ideas, Music, Food and Cross-Art Form — you have until September 26 to apply.

The overwhelming response to Vivid Sydney 2025 sends a clear message that this festival remains a powerful driver of creativity, culture and economic impact. Vivid Sydney doesn’t just light up our streets — it solidifies Sydney’s standing as a leading global cultural capital and a must-experience destination in the Asia-Pacific.

We’re now calling on the next wave of creatives to help shape Vivid Sydney 2026. Whether you’re an artist, designer, performer, producer or chef, this is your opportunity to be part of something extraordinary and share your vision.

— Steve Kamper, Minister for Jobs and Tourism

To register your interest in being part of Vivid 2026, click here.

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Despite criticism from some, Vivid 2025 brought in huge crowds and welcomed celebrities such as Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson, who testified to the festival’s brilliance, calling it “a total joy” on her Instagram.

This year’s festival was particularly exciting for local restaurants, bars and businesses, with the NSW Government reporting that, on average, more than 81 per cent of visitors have purchased food and beverages during their visit. A record-breaking 51,169 diners were recorded in restaurants on Saturday, 24 May — the first full day of the festival. It’s the highest number ever in the event’s history, up 45 per cent from 2024.

More locals businesses participated in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program this year, too, doubling last year’s numbers.

Owner of Sydney Harbour Kayaks and participant in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program, Shannon O’Brien, said:

“Vivid Sydney 2025 was a great success for our business, with excellent customer feedback and increased trade — in fact, we achieved an 80 per cent sell-through rate.

“For the first time as part of Vivid Sydney, we had the opportunity to take visitors on the water to Balmain East, showcasing stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Vivid Sydney’s social media channels played a key role in helping us tell our story and reach a wider audience.”

Social media spread the joy and sights of the festival with #vividsydney content viewed over 830 million times globally. You can see our Vivid videos on Instagram @sydneytravelguide.com.au and TikTok @sydneytravelguide.

The rain during the first weekend didn’t hold off the crowds. More than 1.2 million people headed out to celebrate; an increase of approximately 10 per cent from 2024. Vivid Fire Kitchen was also roaring success in its new location, with over 110,000 visitors heading to the Goods Line and checking it out.

Overall, more than 45 installations and projections, and 200 events were showcased across five different zones at this year’s festival.

It’s fantastic to see the roaring success of yet another incredibly curated Vivid Sydney. This festival not only makes Sydney shine, it’s a tremendous boost for the visitor economy and plays a huge role in showing off the icons and hidden gems alike.

— Margy Osmond, CEO of the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF)

Total attendance number’s for Vivid Sydney 2025 are yet to be revealed, but if these stats are anything to go by, it looks like it was the biggest festival yet. The footprint was transformed, spreading wider across the inner-city, and 75 per cent of the festival was free, making it more accessible than ever.

As we look ahead to an even brighter 2026, the success of Vivid Sydney 2025 proves the festival’s power celebrate everything that makes Sydney shine.

Vivid Sydney 2026

When: Friday, May 22, 2026 until Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Where: Citywide.