Sydney Harbour is set to dazzle once again with the return of Vivid Sydney. The mega light festival has unveiled its program for 2026, with a packed lineup of large-scale light installations, live music, talks and dining experiences scheduled from May 22 to June 13. Held across 23 nights, the festival will once again illuminate key precincts including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, with dozens of events unfolding across the CBD.
Adding to the excitement, another crowd favourite looks set to return. The festival’s hugely popular drone show, which previously drew large crowds along the harbour foreshore, has been flagged for a comeback in 2026 after NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the news in a Facebook post, though further details about the display have yet to be announced.
Drone Show Returning To Vivid Sydney
The premier confirmed the viral aerial spectacle will run for 11 nights across the festival, with a total of 22 shows scheduled. The display will also move to Cockle Bay, which offers a larger viewing area and improved crowd safety compared with previous locations along the harbour.
The drone show did not feature in last year’s festival after authorities raised concerns about crowd safety and the challenges of managing large audiences along Circular Quay, following heavy congestion and a crowd incident in 2024. The new location is expected to provide more space and allow for improved crowd management when the shows return.
Further details about the returning spectacle have yet to be announced. However, it’s understood the display could feature up to 1,000 drones and may run up to two shows per night throughout the festival. In the meantime, check out the Vivid Sydney website for more details on what to expect this year.
