Overview
- The 23‑day festival runs May 22–June 13, with more than 80% of events free and a continuous 6.5‑kilometre Light Walk featuring over 43 works.
- Aerial displays return with 22 drone shows at Darling Harbour across 11 nights, using fleets of 700–1000 drones to disperse crowds after the 2025 cancellation.
- Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House hosts more than 50 artists, with Mitski’s four in‑the‑round performances sold out and highlights including Mogwai, Matt Berninger, Flying Lotus and Sparks.
- The program broadens into daytime public art, aerial performance, theatre and dance as part of Sheehy’s first year leading the festival.
- Vivid Minds and Vivid Food feature high‑profile names, including filmmakers Sean Baker and Chloé Zhao, critic Jerry Saltz, chef Yotam Ottolenghi and the Fire Kitchen’s move to Barangaroo Reserve.