Vivid Sydney lights up the night
Sydney’s Vivid Festival is the largest of its kind in Australia. And we are pleased to see the continued investment by the Festival organisers into making the event more accessible year on year. The 2026 Vivid is running from 22 May to 13 June.
This year, Vivid Sydney includes audio descriptions for each Vivid Light Walk installation, Auslan interpreters, additional wheelchair-accessible viewing areas, and low-sensory installations designed for people of all abilities. There is even a planning guide available in audio and PDF formats, designed with Autism Spectrum Australia, that you can download before your visit.
The event is split into four areas: Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Mind and Vivid Food.
Vivid Light
Vivid Light is the main attraction for most visitors to Sydney, where light art installations are projected onto iconic Sydney buildings such as the Opera House, Customs House, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. This year, there is an unbroken walking track of 6.5km of art, transforming Circular Quay, the Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. Additionally, there are standalone art pieces and sculptures dotted throughout precincts across the city. Most installations are wheelchair friendly, have audio description, 1 Companion Card and 1 that is sensory-friendly. From ethereal columns to sunflowers, to the Harbour Bridge and beyond to the Sydney Opera House, there really is a vast array of interactive and beautiful light displays.
For more information about the light installations, visit: Vivid Sydney - Light
Vivid Music
Vivid Music is a dynamic program of cutting-edge music, including live performances and music collaborations from local and international artists.
See Purelink American techno group, Mallart Australia pop icon, Kae Tempest, English Rapper and many more artists perform at this year's light show.
Tickets start from $35 and are available on the Vivid Website.
There are several accessible music events taking place, with more information available here: Vivid Sydney - Music
Vivid Minds
Vivid Minds is a new program for the Sydney light show. It's where Art, Performance and Ideas come together. Vivid Minds complements talks with festival-first artforms and events, including theatrical spectacles and immersive experiences.
This event discusses how creative industries are changing. With a range of social, technological, economic, and cultural forces changing the way and for whom art is made.
With international voices such as Chloé Zhao, Sean Baker, Jerry Saltz, and Nicholas Blechman leading the conversation, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Tickets start at $25 and are available through the Vivid website.
There are many more interesting events taking place throughout Vivid Minds. For more information, visit Vivid Sydney Minds.
Vivid Food
Vivid Food is a new concept for the Vivid light show. A feast for the senses, Vivid Food brings together world-leading chefs in celebration of NSW's dining scene and produce, as well as the stories, flavours and cultures behind every dish.
Tickets to see world-leading chefs start from $120 and are available on the Vivid Sydney - Vivid Food.
There are many more interesting events taking place throughout Vivid Food. For more information, visit Vivid Sydney - Vivid Food.
There are many more resources available at the Vivid Festival website, including an interactive, accessible map, information on interactive tours and volunteers who can assist. For more information, visit: Vivid Sydney - Access and Inclusion
Information sourced from VividSydney.com
