Vivid Sydney 2026
Vivid Sydney will return for its 16th year, between 22nd May and 13th June 2026.
What is Vivid Sydney?
Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music and ideas held in Sydney, Australia. The festival runs for several weeks and usually takes place from late May to mid-June.
Vivid Sydney is a major event in the city’s cultural calendar and attracts visitors from around the world. It is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world and has helped establish Sydney as a hub for creativity and innovation.
What Happened at Vivid Sydney 2025?
Vivid Sydney 2025 embodied the theme ‘Dream’, aiming to explore the boundless possibilities of dreams and imagination. 2025’s festival brought back the captivating Light Walk installation, an 8km circular route connecting 30 of the city’s installations, across 5 festival zones.
For the first time, event-attendees could submit their own designs, with the opportunity for their work to be projected onto the historic ASN Clocktower, in a spectacular user-generated work of art. Also new to 2025, Vivid Sydney collaborated with the Sydney Writers’ Festival, bringing together world-famous writers in a celebration of storytelling.
What to Expect at the Light Festival
The festival is known for its stunning light installations and projections, which transform some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks into vibrant world of art.
A few major locations illuminated during the festival are:
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Royal Botanic Gardens
In addition to the light displays, Vivid Sydney also features live music performances, workshops, and talks by some of the world’s leading creative thinkers. The festival brings together artists, musicians, and innovators from a wide range of disciplines to showcase their talents and share their ideas.
Sydney Opera House Light Show
During the light shows, the sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated with colourful projections and animations, transforming the building into a canvas of light and sound. The projections are usually accompanied by music and sound effects, creating an immersive experience for the audience.
The theme of the light shows vary from year to year, but often celebrate Australian, culture, history, and natural beauty. The projections include everything from abstract patterns and shapes to depictions of native wildlife, landscapes and cityscapes.
Plan Your Trip
