Vivid Sydney 2026 will deliver a children's wonderland to the city from 22 May to 13 June, with a dedicated program of family-friendly experiences and interactive events.
With more than 80 per cent of the program free to enjoy, Australia's largest event will offer a mix of free and ticketed events designed to engage younger audiences and reinforce NSW's position as a world leader in vibrant cultural experiences for all ages.
Highlights will include a Vivid Sydney first over the June long weekend - Cristal Palace - a free, open-air spectacle at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt featuring an overhead chandelier and musicians performing high above the audience.
Making its Australian debut as part of Vivid Minds, Cristal Palace arrives direct from France with a 70-minute production featuring aerial acrobatics, dance and circus performance, set against Sydney's iconic harbour backdrop.
This year the 100 per cent-free Vivid Light Walk will run as a single, continuous experience across three main precincts - Circular Quay/The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour - making it easier for families to enjoy.
The 6.5km route will be fully pram accessible and will begin from 6pm each night, allowing young families to take part at their own pace. Along the way, visitors can explore more than 43 light installations and stop at Cockle Bay for the free nightly laser show, which will run every hour from 6pm to 11pm.
Returning in 2026, Tumbalong Kids will invite children to sing, dance and play at Tumbalong Park every Saturday at 5pm. The free, family-friendly program has been designed to get kids moving and spark their imagination, with performers including former Play School host Jay Laga'aia, alongside Mik Maks, Benny Time and Angie Who.
Families can also enjoy Star-Bound, the Vivid Sydney Drone Show, taking place every Sunday to Wednesday night (excluding 7 June). This will mark the drone show's longest season yet, with 22 shows across the 12 nights in its new home in Darling Harbour.
At the Australian National Maritime Museum, families can experience Wonderverse-a 40-minute immersive adventure for children aged 4-10. Created by Patch Theatre, this ticketed event invites young audiences to explore a forest of light and encounter mesmerising fireflies, blending theatre, visual spectacle and play.
Major events such as Vivid Sydney play a key role in achieving the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy's target of growing the state's visitor economy to $91 billion across the next decade, driving economic, social and cultural benefits for businesses and communities.
From 22 May to 13 June 2026, Vivid Sydney will draw millions of domestic and international visitors, power NSW's visitor and night-time economies and cement Sydney's status as a global leader in immersive cultural experiences across Light, Music, Minds and Food.
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
For more information on the Vivid Sydney program, visit www.vividsydney.com
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:
"Vivid Sydney offers families the chance to enjoy a fun night out in the city, with more than 80 per cent of the program free to enjoy.
"We want people of all ages to be able to experience our city's vibrancy firsthand - from trying delicious NSW food to watching world-class entertainment which all play an important role in driving visitation into the city, supporting local jobs and contributing to the NSW visitor economy.
"Providing family-friendly experiences is a priority for the NSW Government and something we are committed to supporting during major events such as Vivid Sydney. With something for the whole family, this year's program showcases NSW's cultural vibrancy and creative brilliance to the world."
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said:
"Families are at the heart of our festival and play an important role when shaping the program. This year, we have curated a number of wonderful family friendly experiences - many of which are free to enjoy, and are focused on imagination, creativity and play.
"Vivid Sydney is about creating unforgettable memories, and for families, it offers magical moments where people of all ages can discover and explore the city in new and unexpected ways."
