Vivid Sydney
22
May
13
Jun
A Celebration of Creativity

Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney will illuminate Darling Harbour with art, light, creativity and exploration.
When
Friday,
22 May 2026
Saturday,
13 Jun 2026

Get ready for the glow-up.  Vivid Sydney returns, lighting up Darling Harbour—Sydney’s ultimate harbourside playground.

Cockle Bay takes centre stage with Australia’s most ambitious free nightly laser show,.

Vivid Music brings a curated global lineup, with 23 nights of free live music at Tumbalong Nights and standout acts including Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Matt Corby and Mallrat.

Be inspired at Vivid Minds, with thought-provoking talks at venues like the Australian National Maritime Museum, or bring the kids along for family-friendly fun at Tumbalong Kids.

With 150+ places to eat and drink, Darling Harbour is where you stay, play and experience Vivid Sydney at its brightest.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Vivid Light Walk

Cockle Bay
Laser Lightfall
Choreographed light transforms the sky anew with Vivid Sydney’s first outdoor laser show, free each night over Cockle Bay. In-sync to a propulsive score, watch lasers dance across the night sky and seas, building to an explosive finale of pure energy, colour and joy.
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Tumbalong Park
Afterimage: A Projection Mapping Mural
Street art and projection collide in this 3D-animated graffiti mural on a stack of shipping containers — an ode to Cincinnati’s vibrant graffiti scene and its preferred canvas. Afterimage: A Projection Mapping Mural is a gorgeous, gritty mural by day and a living, breathing artwork at night.
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Chinese Garden Forecourt
Continuum
Reality’s redesigned with Contiuum, a series of 25 monolithic mirrored columns bouncing back-and-forth each other’s reflections, creating a Sydney that shifts as you walk through. Inviting play, these motion-sensor-equipped mirrors emit ripples of light and sound as you approach.
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Tumbalong Reflection Ponds
Lumiverse Transporter
Enter the Lumiverse, an enclave of towering electronic ‘trees’ created with sixteen radiant columns. Standing 4.8 metres tall, each glows and hums with the vibrant bird-sounds, experimental electronica and swirling colours of an enticing, otherworldly forest. Lose yourself in this otherworld of light, transforming the everyday space of Tumbalong Boulevard.
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Cockle Bay Wharf
Musical Mind
Unleash your inner maestro or just jam it out in this melodic playground for all ages, no matter your musical background. Glowing with possibility, this world of pipes, bulbs, and buttons across three interactive panels is intuitive from the very first touch. It’s proof we all have a song inside us.
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Australia National Maritime Museum rooftop
Mythical Mashup: Cosmic Chase
’80s sci-fi, 8-bit video game icons and Indigenous legends meet in Cosmic Chase, an animated adventure projected onto the Australian National Maritime Museum’s rooftop.
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Australia National Maritime Museum (waterfront and lighthouse)
Mythical Mashup: Floating Realm
Monumental tentacles, fishermen and soy sauce fish bottles clash in Floating Realm, three irreverent LED sculptures rising from the seas in front of the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM).
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IMAX Forecourt
Piano Walk
Step, skip and snake across Piano Walk — an S-shaped supersized set of ivories that sings out in song and colour with every press! Each five minutes, everyone’s movements create a one-of-a-kind composition, complete with a dazzling dance of light across the keys. This work was first commissioned by River of Light, Liverpool.
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Pier St Underpass
The Daydream Machine
Powered by an AI “dreamer”, this Machine creates surreal portraits of anyone who stands in front of it, just by analysing their movements. Strange and continually shifting, these daydreams are inspired by your presence. Strike a pose, bust a move or stand super still, and see where the Machine takes you next.
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Tumbalong Park
Voxelevated
Enter the AI mainframe with Voxelevated, an archway of light that’s equal parts awe-inspiring and ominous. Soak in the endless information that shines down from this glowing grid with floating LED cubes (or voxels, the 3D equivalent of pixels), as images move between AI’s dystopic and utopic potential in-sync with a soundtrack reminiscent of a glitchy hymn.
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Vivid Sydney Light Walk Map

Sky Symphony: Fireworks, Lasers, Music

Vivid Sydney always lights up the night – but Sky Symphony: Fireworks, Lasers, Music brings the heat and extra firepower to Cockle Bay each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, plus a bonus date just announced - Thursday 11 June.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Tumbalong Nights

Crowd favourite Tumbalong Nights returns with 23 evenings of free live music and DJs, transforming Tumbalong Park into Sydney’s ultimate open-air winter music hub. This year’s series spans pop, R&B, K-pop and more.

Thursday nights spotlight rising Australian talent, while weekends turn up the heat with globally recognised acts.

Families can also enjoy free kids’ shows every Saturday from 5pm, before the mainstage comes alive with headline sets from 7.30pm.

Tumbalong Kids

Who said the adults should have all the fun? Round up the little ones and start your Light Walk journey in Tumbalong Park at 5pm each Saturday during the festival as the stage lights up with FREE children’s acts ahead of a night of live music.

Vivid Minds
Where To Eat & Drink

Best restaurants & bars with Vivid Sydney views

Looking for things to do in Sydney? Enjoying a few drinks and soaking in the Vivid views at one of Darling Harbour’s best cocktail bars should be top of your list! To get your evening started we’ve concocted a list of the best restaurants and cocktail bars with stunning views of the show in Darling Harbour.

Where To Stay

Plan ahead for Vivid Sydney and stay at the heart of it in Darling Harbour! Book your luxury or budget-friendly accommodation today & enjoy easy access to light-filled attractions, family-friendly entertainment, waterfront dining, & vibrant nightlife. Discover the best places to stay in Darling Harbour during Vivid Sydney & make memories that will last a lifetime.
Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour
Sydney's newest upscale hotel in the heart of the city and only a short walk to both the Darling Harbour precinct and CBD.
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Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
Experience elevated comfort and city skyline views at Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
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Novotel Sydney Darling Square
Want to stay in luxury near all the action? Novotel Sydney Darling Square is the place for you.
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Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
French sophistication meets Aussie culture in this luxury Sydney hotel by Sofitel.
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Hotel Kith
Welcome to Kith Hotel Darling Harbour. Your home away from home. Stay, Work, Play – All in a Day at Kith Hotel.
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THE HOTEL WOOLSTORE 1888 – Handwritten Hotel Collection
Edgy design and modern luxury inside a historic character building.
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PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
Located on the city-side of Darling Harbour, the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney offers premium accommodation for both work and play.
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Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour
This Darling Harbour hotel boasts a central location, trendy Manhattan-inspired decor and a rooftop bar.
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Getting to Vivid Sydney

Travelling to Darling Harbour is easy, it’s leaving that’s hard! Discover our guide navigating you to Darling Harbour with ease. We'll cover all your travel needs, from zipping in on public transport to exploring with little ones in tow. Plus, we'll share hot tips to stay ahead of the crowd and make your Vivid Sydney experience truly unforgettable!

How To Get To Vivid Sydney

See more of Vivid Sydney

Find out what's happening in Barangaroo and The Rocks for all things Vivid Sydney.