22
May
13
Jun
Transforming Sydney
Vivid Sydney
The Rocks is a must-see of Vivid Sydney 2026.
When
Friday,
22 May 2026
Saturday,
13
Jun 2026
This year, Vivid Sydney meanders through the city like never before.
The Vivid Light Walk stretches an unbroken 6.5km, weaving its way through Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour—making every step a chance to stumble onto something extraordinary.
Here in The Rocks, the streets, laneways and harbourside corners you thought you knew light up in completely new ways.
Pushing creative and technological boundaries, the walk brings together big‑scale projections, playful interactive installations, and cutting‑edge laser and digital art—all set against the backdrop of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood.
It’s easier than ever to explore. Harder than ever to forget.
From 6pm each night, see The Rocks transform with inspiring projections and installations that spotlight the essence of humanity.
First Fleet Park
Invisible Cities
A tribute to the way our connected lives shape the fabric of a city, Invisible Cities rises as a landscape of aluminium‑ribbon skyscrapers — each one glowing with its own energy, yet linked together in a shimmering chain.
Find out more
Museum of Contemporary Art
Vaiola
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s façade is brought to life with Vaiola, a surreal and subversive projection by Samoan-Australian artist Angela Tiatia. Plastic souvenirs, tropical imagery and the colonial term "Polynesian Triangle" are reimagined and reclaimed in Tiatia's newest digital tapa - a bold, contemporary take on the traditional ceremonial bark cloth.
Find out more
Sydney Opera House
Lighting of the Sails: Opera Mundi
Renowned French multimedia artist Yann Nguema brings his signature fusion of science, music and digital artistry to the Sydney Opera House sails. Produced by his studio, Anima Lux, and set to a score by Romanian composer Mischa Blanos, Opera Mundi unfolds as a sweeping ode to the natural transformations that once inspired architect Jørn Utzon. The result: a luminous journey across time, form and the living world — painted across Sydney’s most iconic canvas
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Campbells Cove
Koro Loko
Standing over eleven feet tall, this giant heart gleams by day — its surface covered in thousands of dichroic tiles that shimmer like sequins in the sun. As night settles in, Koro Loko comes alive, washing the tiles in shifting iridescent light that ripples and cascades across the heart’s surface. A beacon of colour, movement and emotion, glowing on the edge of the harbour.
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Campbells Cove
Dear You
Blending interactive tech, design thinking and cultural storytelling, this collaborative work turns public light art into a message meant just for you. A neon scrawl unfurls across what looks like an ancient piece of parchment, reading: “Welcome to Sydney, where your story begins.” Whether you’re seeing the city for the first time or rediscovering it with fresh eyes, Dear You invites you to try something new — in Sydney and in yourself.
Find out more
ASN Clock Tower
Circles of Rhythm
Optimism pulses through this luminous projection inspired by the Bauhaus movement, where simple shapes and bold colour transformed everyday design. Beginning with a single glowing circle, the work expands outward — building rhythm, form and colour into a hypnotic play of geometry and light. A modern echo of Bauhaus principles, reimagined on the historic clocktower.
Find out more
Hickson Road Reserve
Pendulum
A giant, illuminated take on Newton’s Pendulum will hang above Hickson Road Reserve, inviting you to set glowing spheres in motion and spark waves of light and sound. Created by Sydney studio Amigo & Amigo, Pendulum transforms a classic physics principle into a playful, city‑scale experience that turns scientific wonder into spectacle. Originally commissioned for River of Light Liverpool, it will bring its rhythmic glow to The Rocks.
Find Out More
The Argyle Cut
TIME: WARPED
A full‑throttle collision of lasers, experimental projection, story and sound, TIME:WARPED is a seven‑minute sprint through time itself — no TARDIS required. Anchored in one simple truth — time is a gift we each choose how to spend — the journey kicks off with a human heartbeat before rocketing spectacularly into the future, twisting and folding the minutes as it goes.
Find out more
Alfred and Loftus Street
Manawan
An ode to Bardi Jawi Country in Western Australia, Manawan brings the region’s tropical gum trees — the woollybutts — into the heart of Circular Quay. Created by Bardi man Darrel Sibosado, this towering steel forest glows day and night, honouring the life force, healing energy and deep connections that run through the trees, the land and Country. A moment of WA’s north, rooted firmly in the city.
Find out more
Customs House
The Fringe of Infinity
Stand at the edge of everything with this contemplative projection shaped by nature’s own geometry — the repeating mathematical patterns that underpin so much of the world around us. Paired with a resonant score by the artist’s son, Juan Reira Gomez (aka Luminecho), The Fringe of Infinity invites you to pause, look closer, and consider the hidden connections we often pass by.
Find out more
Circular Quay & The Rocks
Our Connected City
Our Connected City lights up Sydney Harbour in a sweeping, synchronised show of colour—linking landmarks, water and sky in a celebration of connection. And this year, you can join in. Create your own 30‑second light display for Circular Quay using the simple Your Connected City design tool (desktop only), powered by Mandylights and set to music by composer Bailey Pickles.
Ready to leave your mark on the harbour?
22
May
13
Jun
Every day from 5pm for dinner
Vivid Sydney Dining at Harbourfront Seafood
For a limited time, receive two complimentary glasses of French Champagne when you indulge in our Signature Hot & Cold Seafood Platter ($295 for two).
View Offer
22
May
13
Jun
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Vivid Sydney: Quick Greek Bites & Wine at Jimmy’s Kitchen Bay Nine
Enhance your Vivid Sydney light walk with a quick and delicious stop at Jimmy’s Kitchen Bay Nine.
View Offer
22
May
13
Jun
Vivid Sydney Dinner, Shangri-La Sydney
Dine above the harbour as Sydney sparkles in a kaleidoscope of colour for Vivid Sydney.
View Offer
Night Picnic Under the Bridge
As Vivid Sydney ignites the harbour with dazzling light displays, Picnic Under the Bridge transforms into Night Picnic! Find a moment of tranquillity beneath the illuminated sky at Dawes Point Park, right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, just a stones throw away from the tempting array of delicious food and drinks from The Rocks Markets. It's the perfect place to see the mesmerising lights over the Sydney Harbour Bridge or take a well deserved break before continuing on the Light Walk.
Free Music
Experience vibrant nights at The Rocks during Vivid Sydney, with electrifying DJs bringing energy to The Rocks Square and the corner of George Street and Hickson Road from Friday to Sunday evenings. The precinct comes alive with music, lights and an unforgettable festival atmosphere. For a different vibe, unwind with smooth live Jazz Sessions every Thursday, adding a soulful soundtrack to your night out.
The Rocks Markets
Experience The Rocks Markets after dark during Vivid Sydney. Wander the historic laneways as they come aglow with luminous lights, shop local artisan wares and savour a curated selection of delicious eats from our market stalls. Pick up your favourite goodies and enjoy a delectable night picnic under the harbour bridge. Let the vibrant energy of live music wash over you, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening under the Sydney sky.
See, Do & Stay
06
Jun
Sticky After Dark - Vivid Sydney Experience
Following the release of Syrups by Sticky, the team is unveiling a new creative twist as a world‑first 18+ candymaking show for Vivid Sydney.
View Event
22
May
29
May
Light Nights Silent Disco
An immersive after-dark experience of sound, light and moving image
View Event
07
May
24
Sep
Jazz Sessions in The Rocks
Jazz Sessions in The Rocks returns for its third year, bringing incredible live jazz to Sydney’s most historic precinct. Curated by the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA), this much‑loved series showcases the depth, diversity and energy of Australia’s contemporary jazz scene.
View Event
Getting Here
Ditch the car and explore Vivid Sydney in The Rocks with ease. Public transport is your best bet to experience this harbourside spectacular. The Rocks is a stone's throw from major transport hubs, so you can skip the parking woes and step right into the Vivid Sydney kaleidoscope.
See more of Vivid Sydney
Find out what's happening in Darling Harbour and Barangaroo for all things Vivid Sydney.
Gallery
Never miss out on events
Get updates on the latest events from The Rocks.