Image available here
SYDNEYJune 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — After 23 dazzling nights filled with a variety of landscapes, activities, and experiences, Vivid Sydney has officially drawn to a close. The world’s largest comprehensive arts festival has once again concluded successfully. Continuing its tradition, this year’s event collaborated with renowned Australian artists, emerging creators, and creative talents, art masters, and culinary experts from around the world to deliver captivating content.
An aerial performer in a red costume executes a split on red silks during a Vivid Sydney 2026 event, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House illuminated in the background and a large audience watching
This year’s festival featured over 200 events spread across five interconnected zones: Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, and Sydney’s inner city. More than 80% of the events were free to the public, and the entire Vivid Light Walk was open to all.
This year’s Vivid Sydney brought together a host of international talent, further solidifying its influence in the global creative landscape. Audiences enjoyed a diverse range of activities: 41 international performance groups made their Australian debut, with a standout performance by Saint Levant; the event also featured in-depth interviews, including a conversation with Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao.
The guest lineup for this year’s festival also included Oscar-winning director Sean Baker, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jerry Saltz, New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay, and Grammy-nominated musician Zane Lowe. Yotam Ottolenghi led a series of regional themed dinner events. Several internationally renowned artists brought new light and shadow to Sydney’s landmarks: Yann Nguema illuminated the Sydney Opera House with his work “Opera Mundi,” while Chris Levine created a lighthouse of light beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge with “Molecule of Light.”
Vivid Sydney Director Brett Sheehy (Member of the Order of Australia) said: “This year’s Vivid Sydney was a tremendous success. Not only were all performance tickets sold out, but the high level of public engagement, interaction, and joy across the city exceeded our expectations.”
“What was most impressive about this year’s event was the depth of audience participation, with people exploring a wider range of experiences than in previous years. On average, visitors visited 4.5 activity points per trip, immersing themselves in the festival atmosphere for about three hours.”
“The new projects launched this year also received enthusiastic responses: spectacular aerial performances, sculptures, and visual artworks were unveiled; the newly relocated and significantly expanded Fire Food Kitchen was a hit; and the stunning laser and fireworks shows captivated audiences. The four core pillars—Light, Music, Ideas, and Food—also saw an overall scale upgrade.”
Vivid Sydney Partners
Kia, Samsung Electronics Australia, and IREN returned as major partners in 2026. This marks Kia’s fifth consecutive year as a major partner, showcasing a work titled Kia Refraction at Bligh & Barney Reserve.
Samsung, also in its fifth year of partnership, created the immersive interactive sculpture installation Sky Portal Studio at First Fleet Park.
Lilly Australia joined as an official partner in 2026, coinciding with its 150th anniversary, presenting a panel discussion titled “A New Horizon of Health” as part of the Vivid Minds program.
Uber also joined as an official partner, providing dedicated pick-up and drop-off points within the event zones. Dine Out with Uber Eats served as the title partner, presenting the Food for Thought Stage at the Vivid Fire Kitchen.
The festival’s 2026 charity partner was Foodbank NSW & ACT, which set up an interactive installation, the Foodbank Truck Packer, at Tumbalong Park.
A panoramic night view of Sydney showcasing Vivid Sydney 2026, with fireworks illuminating the sky above the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge