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Vivid Sydney is a stunning spectacle, but it's not always easy to capture all its beauty with a photo.  Want your photo memories and social media posts to really sparkle? Vivid Sydney photographer Daniel Tran has shared nine of his top photography tricks to avoid taking blurry, dark or generally underwhelming shots.

Vivid Sydney welcomes visitors of all abilities, and aims to make the festival accessible and enjoyable for everyone as Sydney’s streets, parks and buildings transform into a wonderland of Light, Music, Minds and Food programming from 22 May to 13 June 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. 

Vivid Sydney 2026 is all about going beyond – as Light, Music, Minds and Food converge to transform our city this winter and ignite bigger, bolder and broader thinking.   With driverless trains running every four minutes at peak times and fully accessible stations designed for prams, wheelchairs and festivalgoers of all walks of life, the Metro is a great way to glide through the glow of Vivid Sydney. 

In 2026, Vivid Sydney returns from 22 May to 13 June 2026 with new, bold experiences across Light, Music, Minds and Food, spanning awe-inspiring installations, electrifying concerts, illuminating talks, unforgettable dining experiences, and so much more. To help you make the most of it, here’s our guide to the best hotels to experience Vivid Sydney. Whether you’re planning a dream holiday, looking for the ultimate staycation or a budget hotel, we’ve got you covered. 

It’s almost time for Sydney’s streets, parks and buildings to transform into a wonderland as the Vivid Sydney Light Walk glows up from 22 May to 13 June, 23 nights from 6-11pm. This year’s Light Walk is easier to explore than ever, as an unbroken 6.5km trail of light art spanning Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. That means you’ll always be able to see the next artwork from the last.  

Keep the adventure going after Vivid Sydney with a quick, easy getaway exploring NSW’s natural wonders just outside of the city. A treasure trove of experiences awaits. Hike into the mountains; taste wine from the barrel; walk among the treetops, discover where rainforests back onto pristine beaches, and relax with restorative wellness experiences surrounded by nature.

New to Vivid Sydney, Vivid Minds is where Art, Performance and Ideas collide.  Expanding upon and reimagining the previous Ideas programming, Vivid Minds complements talks with festival-first artforms and events, including invigorating theatrical spectacles and immersive experiences.  Minds curator Mitchell Oakley Smith runs us through five of his top picks, plus his most anticipated Light, Music and Food offerings.  

Vivid Music Curator Julian Ramundi has been busy booking global stars, indie icons and experimental pioneers. While no parent can pick a favourite, he’s chosen a few must-see 2026 acts, including some from Carriageworks and Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House, and shout-outs to Vivid Light, Minds and Food. Art After Dark Friday May 29, June 5 & June 12, White Bay Power Station

Explore the magic of Vivid Sydney 2025 at Tumbalong Park  Set in the heart of Darling Harbour, Tumbalong Park transforms into a glowing playground of Light, Music and Food across all 23 nights of Vivid Sydney. Whether you're here for the dazzling installations, the electric live music or the late-night eats, there’s magic around every corner – perfect for families, first dates or a night out with friends. Here’s your guide to what’s lighting up the park this winter. 

Transform your Vivid Sydney 2025 experience by viewing the world’s most spectacular light displays from all sorts of different angles. Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or cruise the harbour, devour the glittering views from harbourside bars and restaurants or discover arresting vistas from lesser-known landmarks – here are some of the many ways you can enjoy a new perspective on Sydney’s annual festival of light.