2026: How to make the most of the Vivid Sydney Drone Show
19 May 2026
It's almost time for Star-Bound to transform the skies.
Vivid Sydney’s Drone Show is back, reinvented and redefined as a story-driven spectacle lighting up the night with more than 1,000 drones taking flight for 22 shows across 11 nights.
The festival’s largest drone program to date, Star-Bound is a 10-minute epic through the cosmos and time itself — an uplifting adventure sure to inspire awe for all ages, proudly sponsored by IREN.
On every Sunday to Wednesday night during Vivid Sydney at 7.30pm and 9.30pm, except for Sunday 7 June, Star-Bound offers plenty of chances to catch its magic. With each performance the same, you just have to choose the date and time that best suits you.
Excited? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of Star-Bound.
A story spanning galaxies
An evolution for Vivid Sydney’s Drone Shows, Star-Bound uses cutting-edge drone tech to tell a story in the skies — all paired in-sync with a stirring orchestral score with pulsating electronica by acclaimed Australian composer Antony Partos.
Beginning with a thousand tiny sparks of life, these ‘stars’ soon come together to form some of Earth’s earliest forms of life before heading on a journey through galaxies and black holes, all leading up to one show-stopping Big Bang. With Star-Bound, it’s a whole new universe.
Plan Your Visit
The drone shows are extremely popular and the Cockle Bay precinct will be very busy before, during and after each Star-Bound performance. High pedestrian volumes, crowd movement and limited viewing space should be anticipated.
To support a safe and comfortable experience, Vivid Sydney strongly recommends:
- Planning your journey in advance
- Allowing extra travel time due to road closures and pedestrian management
- Checking public transport service updates prior to arrival
- Identifying accessible drop-off points ahead of time
Star-Bound's Best Vantage Spots
Designed to be viewable from all angles, Star-Bound's best viewed from the promenades of Cockle Bay and the overlooking Pyrmont Bridge.
But as the show’s expected to be very popular, we’re expecting large crowds and space is limited, so be sure to head in early if you want to secure your space. If an area reaches capacity, it may close off early. Be sure to rug up and wear comfy shoes! Vivid Sydney will be monitoring crowd levels and may close off access to areas if they are full.
Optimal views:
- Cockle Bay eastern promenade
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Cockle Bay southern boardwalk and Palm Grove
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Cockle Bay western promenade
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Pyrmont Bridge
There is also an Accessible Viewing Area available to provide a safe and comfortable experience for visitors with disability and their companions. Bookings are essential.
How to get there (and home)
Public transport is the best way to visit Vivid Sydney, and Star-Bound is no exception.
It’s possible to arrive via Metro, Train, Light Rail, Ferry and limited Bus routes, with full details on our transport page.
Please note Light Rail and Ferry services will be affected by the Drone Show’s crowds and exclusion zones.
Following each drone show, pedestrian volumes will be extremely high. Please follow directions from event staff and allow extra time for your journey home.
Leave your own drone at home
It’s a big no-no to use your own drone during the show – there’s safety risks, you could disrupt the show and big fines apply. Stay safe and enjoy Vivid Sydney from the ground – where the view is just as spectacular.
Read up on the ins-and-outs of drone usage during the festival here.
Make a booking and enjoy dinner and a show
There are many excellent restaurants, venues and bars in Darling Harbour with brilliant seats for the drone show. If you don’t fancy standing for the show, this is your nudge to book ahead to secure a skygazing seat.
Out and about? Rug up and wear comfy shoes
If you’re out on foot, arrive well before your 7.30pm or 9.30pm to secure a good viewing spot – just make sure to rug up and wear comfy shoes as you could be standing and walking for some time.
Eager to avoid the crowds, but still want to be among the action? Catch a live stream of Star-Bound at the nearby Tumbalong Nights, where a bar, curated food trucks and live DJs await.
Alternatively, if you can’t get into the city, you can watch the awe-inspiring action from the comfort of your couch.
What to do before and after
Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, Star-Bound is surrounded by Vivid Sydney sights, events and experiences across our program of Light, Music, Minds and Food.
A few minutes away is Tumbalong Nights – Vivid Music’s home to 23 nights of live music and DJs, complete with a licenced bar and food trucks from Sydney favourites.
Alternatively, families could arrive early on Wednesday and Sunday nights to explore Wonderverse – an immersive ticketed adventure for ages 4-10 and their parents at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Hungry for more? Vivid Fire Kitchen is close by – a free-to-enter celebration of open-flame cooking with live demonstrations, talks, tastings, live music and more. Simply follow the Vivid Light Walk north to Barangaroo Reserve, where a new line-up of chefs, specials and events await every night.
Drone operation is highly sensitive and dependent on weather conditions to proceed. Any updates to the drone show as well as when vantage points reach capacity and are closed will be shared on Vivid Sydney social media channels, website and on digital screens around the footprint.
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