Vivid

Vivid Sydney is returning for its sixteenth year to illuminate the Harbour City winter with an electrifying fusion of light, music, ideas and food.

From 22 May to 13 June 2026, join pioneering artists, musicians, thinkers and culinary experts as they converge in Sydney for this year's Vivid festival. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or embarking on your first adventure, we’ve curated an essential guide to help you navigate this year’s most captivating light installations, enchanting music sets, enlightening speakers and delectable food stops.

Highlights

• The iconic Light Walk is free again!
• Yotam Ottolenghi will host lunch and dinner.
• The Vivid Sydney Drone Show is back.
• NRMA Rewards Members save on accommodation and Vivid harbour cruises.

Must see light installations for Vivid 2026

Laser Lightfall

Running nightly from 6-11pm throughout the festival, Laser Lightfall is a major outdoor laser installation that transforms Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour into a, immersive, seven-minute, sweeping canvas of light. Imagine colourful creations, visual splendor, and intricate patterns perfect for the whole family. And best of all, it’s free!

Star-Bound Drone Show

The ever popular drone show returns, this year with its longest season yet. Star-Bound will leave you in awe as one thousand drones work to showcase the best of humanity and technology come together, in the skies above Cockle Bay.

Sunrise

Last year we had a mooonscape and this year, Vivid punters can enjoy Sunrise – an interactive installation that lets you control the skyline.

Enjoy the ups and downs of a specialty made seesaw and watch as your movements drive the sunrise footage – filmed over a beautiful Sydney Harbour morning. Ypu can take control of the speed of the dawn in this playful, interactive experience.

Top music acts at Vivid Sydney 2026

International headliners

There's no shortage of stellar international stars at this year's festival including Mitski in an Australian exclusive at the Opera House, and Mogwai's 30th anniversary tour - also live in the Opera House Concert Hall.

You can also check out Matt Berninger of The National in his solo Australian debut, and hip-hop legend Lil' Kim performing at Carriageworks.

Local darlings

Described by Rolling Stone as “one of the most exciting rock bands to emerge from this country in a generation”, Arnhem Land five-piece King Stingray are performing at the Opera House Concert Hall.

Also returning to the Opera House is Jem Cassar-Daley with her first ever Vivid performance.

Plus catch Alison Wonderland's Wonderland Warehouse Project at Carriageworks -  an immersive one-night-only takeover featuring international guests exclusive to Vivid Sydney.

Best places to eat at Vivid Sydney 2026

Vivid Sydney Fire Kitchen

Vivid Fire Kitchen has found a stunning new home at Barangaroo Reserve, bringing together some of Australia's most exciting culinary talent. Free to enter and open every night of the festival from 6pm, highlights include The Fire Pit, where chefs Mark Best, Annita Potter and Ben Devlin take on collaborative cooking demonstrations with signature dishes available to purchase. Live music, wine tastings and a program of pop-up events round out the experience. 

Cold, Wet, + Delicious: The Tuna Dinner

This is a truly visceral experience where southern bluefin tuna is the star! Indulge in a five-course dinner at Shell House all centred around this coveted fish. The dinner also includes a live Maguro Shoten (tuna cutting) experience.

Guests can grab a glass of champagne and enjoy a sensory fest as expert Narito Ishii guides you through all things Cold, Wet, and Delicious!

A shared table with Yotam Ottolenghi

World-renowned chef and cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi brings his signature philosophy of colour, freshness and abundance to Sydney CBD for A Shared Table - an exclusive lunch and dinner experience that shines a global lens on the finest NSW produce. 

If you're still craving more dining options and happen to be an My NRMA Rewards member, unlock exclusive discounts using your My NRMA app to discover nearby dining options in Sydney. Enjoy a generous 20% off your total bill at popular spots like Pancakes on the Rocks (Locations in Haymarket and The Rocks). Plus, keep the little ones happy with a treat from Gelatissimo (locations in Darling Harbour and Circular Quay) and Baskin-Robbins, where members can indulge with an extra scoop of ice cream with every purchase

Top talks at Vivid Sydney 2026

Join Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloe Zhao for her first appearance in Australia. Zhao visits our shores off the back of eight Oscar nominations for her latest film, Hamnet. Catch her for one night only at the State Theatre as part of Vivid Sydney’s Creative Trailblazers series.

Or catch prolific American author and cultural critic Roxane Gay at City Recital Hall for an exclusive conversation with Whadjuk Noongar. Gay is a feminist voice of a generation and has written culture-shifting works like Bad Feminist (2014) and Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body (2017).

In 2025 she won the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, and this will be her first visit to Australia since 2024.

Visiting from out of town?

Car rental: Planning to zip around the city between or discover the many beaches? Members save 15% on daily rental rates with SIXT Australia.

My NRMA app: Find and save on your nearest fuel and dining - and discover nearby NRMA Rewards  on the My NRMA app.

For more information on Vivid Sydney and the full program, visit: vividsydney.com.