Frequently Asked Questions | Tumbalong Nights

Tumbalong Nights is Vivid Music’s free program of live music at Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park, and part of the Vivid Light Walk.

It runs all 23 nights of the festival, from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June, and features a cross-cultural lineup of live music from international legends, Australian icons, emerging stars, plus DJs.

Tumbalong Kids is Vivid Music’s free program of live music for children of all ages at Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park.

It runs on each Saturday of the festival, Saturday 13 June, 20 June and 27 June at 5pm for an hour of live children’s music. It features an amazing lineup of live music from some of Australia’s leading family entertainers.

Tumbalong Nights runs all 23 nights of Vivid Sydney 2026, from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June, at Tumbalong Park, Darling Quarter.  

Tumbalong Nights runs from 6PM - 11PM every night of Vivid Sydney, and kicks off early at 5pm on every Saturday with Tumbalong Kids, an hour of live children’s music.  

Tumbalong Park is an open site accessible at all hours, though Tumbalong Nights starts each night at 6pm with the exception of Saturdays, which start at 5pm.  

Additionally, Lights On is at 6pm daily, meaning the Vivid Light Walk’s installations and projections, including those in Tumbalong Park, will alight then. 

Tumbalong Nights and Kids are free events, with no tickets or registration required. Just turn up and enjoy the amazing line up of live music!  

Tumbalong Nights is an all-ages event, with children-friendly food and beverage options and engaging Vivid Light Walk installations in Tumbalong Park and close by. Additionally, Tumbalong Kids takes over every Saturday from 5-6pm with live children’s music.

Tumbalong Nights performances may contain explicit language or content, however, and audience discretion is advised. 

Medical Posts and Volunteer Ambassadors at Information Booths located on the Light Walk offer wristbands to parents and guardians of children to put contact details on in case their child becomes lost. There is also an Information Booth at Tumbalong Park.

It is also a good idea to give your child a card with your contact details or to write a contact number on your child’s arm.

Vivid Sydney volunteers and security personnel will be briefed to look out for lost children and will contact parents wherever possible and the NSW Police Force if necessary. 

You can find the full Tumbalong Nights and Kids program on the Vivid Sydney website.  

Set times are published on the corresponding webpage for each night of Tumbalong Nights, close to the event date. 

Outside food and drink is permitted at Tumbalong Nights, though alcohol is prohibited.

Vivid Sydney reserves the right to check bags for alcohol and other prohibited items.

Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase at the Tumbalong Nights bars for people over 18 with valid ID. Tumbalong Park is a licensed premises, and you will be able to consume purchased alcohol throughout the entire Park. 

A curated offering of food vendors will operate during Tumbalong Nights.

These include Antico Pizza, Pharaohs BBQ, Birdman and Moshi Moshi, which offers coffee and desserts. A festival bar will also sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  

Tumbalong Park is surrounded by local restaurants offering a range of cuisines, including a dining precinct at Darling Quarter. You can bring outside food – including from these restaurants – to Tumbalong Nights, though bringing alcohol is prohibited. Alcohol can be purchased from the bars inside Tumbalong Park. 

The following items are prohibited at Tumbalong Nights, and any person found in possession of them will be refused entry and/or removed from the event site:

• Weapons/dangerous items (does not include studded belts)
• Alcohol or illicit substances
• Flares, fireworks, laser pointers, knives, scissors
• Eskies or barbecues
• Sporting equipment
• Large posters or placards
• Third party promotional material (stickers/ flyers)

Any person entering into Tumbalong Nights may have their bag searched if there is suspicion of prohibited items in their possession. 

Performances at Tumbalong Nights may contain explicit language or content. Audience discretion is advised. Please speak to a member of the Vivid Sydney team if you have any questions. 

Picnic rugs, fold up chairs, and personal umbrellas are permitted with the exception of Tumbalong Nights’ closing night concert on Saturday 13 June with Matt Corby + Gretta Ray.

Discretion is advised for all nights of Tumbalong Nights, as large items such as beach umbrellas, pop-up marquees or tents, eskies, barbecues and large picnic baskets will not be permitted.

People with rugs, chairs or umbrellas may be designated to specific areas due to safety concerns. Security also reserves the right to refuse entry. 

Due to expected large crowds, picnic rugs, chairs and bags bigger than an A4 piece of paper will not be permitted at Matt Corby + Gretta Ray at Tumbalong Nights on Saturday 13 June. 

 Vivid Sydney is an open to all, including our animal friends!  

It’s important to note that Tumbalong Nights attracts large crowds and features vibrant light displays and amplified live music —conditions that may be overwhelming or unsafe for some animals. If you're thinking of bringing your dog or another companion animal, it’s important to carefully consider their temperament and how they respond to busy environments.

Pet owners must also meet their responsibilities under the NSW Companion Animals Act, which includes keeping animals under control in public spaces and ensuring their welfare at all times. More information is available from the City of Sydney website.

For advice on animal wellbeing and public safety, the RSPCA NSW is also a helpful resource. Visit rspcansw.org.au for more. 

Parking options can be found nearby throughout Darling Harbour, though some hours are impacted by Vivid Sydney’s road closures. Find more information on our Managed Car Parks page.  

Vivid Sydney is best accessed via public transport, and Tumbalong Nights is no exception.

There are also several dedicated drop off and pick-up zones for rideshares, taxis and people who require accessible locations.

Find more information on our transport page.  

Tumbalong Nights is accessible from a range of public transport options, including Sydney Metro, Train, Light Rail, Ferry and limited Bus options. Find detailed information on our transport page.

Yes, you can bring your bag or backpack of any size – with the exception of Tumbalong Nights’ closing night concert on Saturday 13 June with Matt Corby + Gretta Ray.  

Due to expected large crowds, picnic rugs, chairs and bags bigger than an A4 piece of paper will not be permitted at Tumbalong Nights on Saturday 13 June. 

No. Vivid Sydney advises you to keep close to any personal belongings, as Tumbalong Nights is a public event. The closest public lockers are located at Central Station. 

If you have lost something at Tumbalong Nights, Vivid Sydney suggests you call or visit the nearby Day Street Police Station. 

No. Cash is not required at Tumbalong Nights, as we will be operating a cashless site. 

Yes, absolutely! This is a free open space to the public, though re-entry is not guaranteed and dependent on capacity.  

The event will go ahead rain or shine, though Vivid Sydney’s event team will be monitoring weather from our event control centre throughout the festival period.

In the case of extreme or dangerous conditions that threaten the safety of performers and/or the audience, Vivid Sydney will make announcements on our socials and website, and communicate over the stage PA during Tumbalong Nights if required.