The city shines brighter than ever as vibrant Sydney 2026 begins | News
Sydney Harbor and CBD have been reimagined as a vibrant city in color as Vivid Sydney enters its 16th year. In a festival first, there is no theme for artists and makers to work with, so visitors can expect unrivaled creativity across this year’s curated Light, Minds, Music and Food events and experiences.
Today, festival-goers can experience more than 200 events over 23 nights that will delight the senses, engage the mind and tap into undiscovered wonders, giving locals and visitors alike a unique opportunity to experience Sydney in a whole new light.
This year’s program includes more than 80% free events, both day and evening, a short 6.5km light walk with 43 installations, projections and large-scale public artworks, as well as the long-awaited return of the drone show – this year it will shine brightly over Cockle Bay for 22 performances.
In addition, the much-loved Vivid Fire Kitchen has a new home in the Barangaroo Reserve and features a significant lineup of culinary heavyweights, while Vivid Minds (formally Ideas) delivers world-class conversations and performances by some of the leading creative minds worldwide.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said: “This year marks the start of an exciting evolution of Vivid Sydney. We have expanded the program across all pillars, opening up the brief to artists and removing the creative limitations that come from the need to focus around one key theme.
“Visitors can expect a more immersive and interactive experience that will encourage them to explore new locations and unexpected installations and spend more time enjoying the festival – both after dark and during the day.
“We’ve gone back to the core of what Vivid Sydney is all about, tapping into creativity, and this provides an incredible platform to showcase leading Australian talent, as well as an opportunity to bring legendary international talent to the Sydney landscape as well.”
Vibrant Sydney Partners
Kia and Samsung Electronics Australia return as key partners for 2026.
Kia returns as Major Partner for the fifth consecutive year and will exhibit Kia Refraction at Bligh & Barney Reserve.
Samsung will activate Sky Portal Studio at First Fleet Park as a partner for a fifth year with an immersive and interactive sculptural installation.
IREN, the proud sponsor of ‘Star-Bound: Vivid Sydney Drone Show’, joins the Major Partners for 2026.
Lilly Australia will become an official partner in 2026. To mark its 150th anniversary, Lilly will present a panel as part of Vivid Minds entitled A New Horizon of Health.
Uber also joins them as an official partner with dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones throughout the footprint.
Dine Out with Uber Eats will also be the presenting partner of the Food for Thought Stage in the Vivid Fire Kitchen.
The festival’s charity partner for 2026 is Foodbank NSW & ACT, who will be in Tumbalong Park with their interactive installation called Foodbank Truck Packer.
Vivid Sydney runs from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June. For more information, visit Vividsydney.com.
