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As the nights turn chillier, the city turns brighter with the always anticipated return of Vivid Sydney. This year sees a stronger focus on free events, with 80 per cent of the program costing nothing, and in a festival first, daytime events will also be scheduled alongside the night-time action. Stretching across illuminated installations, international concerts, gourmet delights, creative conversations and family-friendly fun, here are our picks for the best of the fest.
Bright lights
Vivid Light Walk
Various locations, May 22-June 13, free
The sparkling jewel in Vivid Sydney’s crown is undeniably its popular light walk. This year every installation is free to view, and a streamlined design has 43 installations along the 6.5-kilometre walk in an unbroken route. Highlights for 2026 include Laser Lightfall, a laser show lighting up the sky above Cockle Bay, and Molecule of Light in Barangaroo, a mammoth 6.5-tonne sphere that emits a tone set at what has become known as the “frequency of love”.
First Light Cocktail Party
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, May 22, $225
For the absolute earliest glimpse of Vivid Sydney switching on, the MCA’s facade will be illuminated with the first artwork to go live this year, Samoan-Australian artist Angela Tiatia’s lush and cinematic Vaiola. The soiree on the gallery’s outdoor terrace will have guests enjoying drinks, canapes and food stations amid stunning views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, which will be lit up with French artist Yann Nguema’s new work, Opera Mundi.
Star-Bound Drone Show
Cockle Bay, various dates, free
The popular drone display returns after not running in 2025, but in a smart decision designed not to contribute more to the Vivid crowds, the 10-minute show will only run during the less busy days of the festival, so Sundays to Wednesdays (except June 7) at 7.30pm and 9.30pm. View 1000 drones mimicking the patterns of nature recreating shells, birds and even outer space, soundtracked by a score from Australian composer Antony Partos.
Foodie favourites
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Barangaroo Reserve, May 22-June 13, free
The beloved free-entry food market has a new waterfront home this year at Barangaroo Reserve. Visitors can warm up at the fire pit and grab a bite for dinner from the chefs cooking over flames or listen at the new Food For Thought stage with talks and cooking demos. Sweet tooths will certainly want to drop by on the June long weekend, when there is a dessert takeover featuring Adriano Zumbo and Emelia Jackson.
An Evening at Parliament House
NSW Parliament House, May 28, $195
Australia’s oldest parliament hosts a dinner with guests starting off on canapes and a look at the art exhibition from Archibald-winning artist Blak Douglas. They will then dine on three courses incorporating native ingredients from the venue’s rooftop garden and hear a talk on bush foods from Gardening Australia’s Clarence Slockee.
Regional Dinner Series
Various locations, various dates, various prices
In a fresh concept for Vivid Food this series of events invites attendees to some of Sydney’s top restaurants for a tasty celebration of both local produce and regional culinary talent with one-off menus. Superstar chef Yotam Ottolenghi headlines the program hosted by Poh Ling Yeow, and other big names involved include Lennox Hastie, Danielle Alvarez and Christine Manfield.
Free fun
State Library Unplugged
State Library of NSW, May 29, free (bookings essential)
In an age of digital overload, the State Library sets up an unplugged oasis. Attendees can get off screens and hands-on with sessions of origami, puzzles and artmaking, or simply spend the night reading and writing. An eclectic musical bill has sets from underground R&B artist A.Girl, bush balladeers Warren Fahey Trio, composer and tar virtuoso Hamed Sadeghi and others.
Dungeons and Damper: Inside the D20
University of Technology Sydney, May 30-31, free (bookings essential)
Get in fast as spots are booking out for this immersive adventure inspired by table-top role-playing games a la Dungeons and Dragons, while also drawing on Indigenous lore. Groups of 10 will get to face a creation spirit angered by how the environment has been treated, with the event created by an all-First Nations team.
Awesome Black Block Party
Carriageworks, May 31, free (bookings essential)
Creative agency Awesome Black takes over Eveleigh for one night only with an all-ages bash that celebrates Blak music and culture. The evening is headlined by rapper and singer-songwriter Tasman Keith with the line-up also featuring Wire MC, Akala Newman, Mr Rhodes and more as the performers pass around the mic to share their sounds, along with DJs, dance competitions and a live band.
Musical marvels
Gil Scott-Heron by Brian Jackson and Yasiin Bey
Sydney Opera House, May 27, $69.90-$129.90
Independent music company Astral People put on a world premiere tribute to American poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron, perhaps best known for his 1971 protest song The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. It will be led by Scott-Heron’s musical director and long-time collaborator, Brian Jackson, who worked with him on many of his albums in the ’70s, and he’s joined by Grammy-nominated American rapper Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) for vocals.
Matt Berninger
Sydney Opera House, May 28, $89.90-$119.90
The frontman and lyricist for critically acclaimed American indie rockers The National makes his solo Australian live debut in what should be a relatively intimate gig for a songwriter of his stature. He’ll play tracks from his most recent solo record, 2025’s Get Sunk, which was written after a period of major depression, with Rolling Stone dubbing it “tastefully tortured alt-rock”.
Lil’ Kim
Carriageworks, May 29, $99
With her raunchy lyrics and unapologetic persona, pioneering American MC Lil’ Kim became known as the Queen of Rap. She’s back to perform in Australia for the first time in 15 years with a concert focused on two of her most influential albums, 1996’s Hard Core and 2000’s The Notorious K.I.M. Joining in the support slot is ARIA Award-winning Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper Barkaa.
For little ones
Wonderverse
Australian National Maritime Museum, May 22-June 13, $25
Making its NSW debut is South Australian children’s theatre company Patch Theatre’s interactive jaunt through light, colour and imagination. Audience members young and old can get in touch with their playful side as they encounter everything from fireflies to contemplating the universe. The 40-minute experience is best suited for ages four to 10.
Cristal Palace
Sydney Opera House Forecourt, June 5-7, free
There’s no need to run away to the circus to catch what promises to be an incredible show from French outdoor theatre company Transe Express. Cristal Palace has already toured Europe and the UK and will appear at three free shows transforming the Opera House forecourt into a baroque ballroom with an enormous overhead chandelier housing musicians. The ensemble of 29 performers will dance, tumble and clown across 70 minutes of dazzling spectacle.
Tumbalong Kids
Tumbalong Park, various dates, free
Groove along at a terrific program of four gigs especially for youngsters with a bedtime-friendly 5pm start time and Jay Laga’aia, Angie Who, Benny Time and The Mik Maks headlining. Those with older children should check out the full Tumbalong Nights schedule, which features performances from Matt Corby, Mallrat, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and more.
Creative conversations
Zane Lowe
City Recital Hall, May 24, $39-$49
The BBC Radio 1 fave turned creative director for Apple Music 1 has interviewed some of the biggest hitmakers in the business, with recent long-form chats with Harry Styles, Dave Grohl and Luke Combs. Now the spotlight is turned on Lowe as the tastemaker sits down with Triple J host Lucy Smith to speak about music in the era of streaming.
Chloé Zhao
State Theatre, May 28, $69-$79
The Beijing-born auteur, only the second woman to win the best director Oscar – for her 2020 film Nomadland – will be in Australia for her first appearance, talking all things filmmaking with journalist Kumi Taguchi. Zhao is in a particularly fruitful period in her career, with her acclaimed 2025 drama Hamnet, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, picking up awards at both the BAFTAs and Golden Globes.
Jerry Saltz
Sydney Town Hall, June 4, $37.30-$51.55
The Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic’s writing is anything but stuffy, and he brings his wit and wisdom to the stage to talk with art historian Mary McGillivray in his first Australian visit. As senior art critic at New York Magazine, former critic at The Village Voice and author of How to Be an Artist, he’s had decades of observing the cultural landscape and will speak on the challenges facing art today in a world of AI and social media.
Vivid Sydney runs from May 22 to June 13.
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