Vivid Sydney is back from 22 May to 13 June 2026 and this year’s program is great for families. Between giant interactive light installations, glowing walk-through experiences, free kids’ shows, drone displays, food markets and immersive ticketed adventures, there’s more happening for kids than we’ve seen in years.
The best part? Most of it is completely FREE.
If you’re planning a family night out at Vivid Sydney this year, these are the spots we think are absolutely worth adding to your list.
Wonderverse
One of the biggest family highlights this year is definitely Wonderverse at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This immersive 40-minute experience is designed especially for children aged 4–10 and their families. Kids move through glowing interactive worlds filled with light, music, storytelling and hands-on play.
It’s being held inside the museum’s Lighthouse Gallery and sessions run every 20 minutes on selected days throughout the festival. Babies under 18 months are free, although prams can’t enter the performance space.
This is a ticketed event – sessions will sell out.
- Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
- Location: Australian National Maritime Museum
- Best for: Ages 4–10
- Tickets/info: Wonderverse Official Page
Star-Bound Drone Show
If your kids love anything in the sky, the Star-Bound Drone Show is likely going to be one of the biggest crowd-pleasers at Darling Harbour. Hundreds of illuminated drones light up the harbour sky in choreographed formations above Cockle Bay, making this one of the easiest “wow factor” experiences for families without needing to walk huge distances.
- Dates: Selected nights during Vivid
- Location: Cockle Bay
- Times: 7.30pm and 9.30pm
- Cost: Free
- More info here.
Laser Lightfall
Cockle Bay is also home to Australia’s biggest laser show this year, combining lasers, water projections and music across Darling Harbour. This is one of those installations kids will probably stand and stare at for ages.
- Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
- Location: Cockle Bay
- Times: 6pm–11pm nightly
- Cost: Free
- More info here.
Tumbalong Kids
Every Saturday during Vivid, Tumbalong Park transforms into a huge free kids’ entertainment zone from 5pm.
This year’s lineup includes performers like Jay Laga’aia, The Mik Maks, Benny Time and Angie Who. Expect singing, dancing and lots of opportunities to burn off energy before walking the lights.
We love this one because it’s genuinely designed for younger children rather than just being something kids tag along to.
- Dates: Saturdays during Vivid
- Location: Tumbalong Park
- Time: From 5pm
- Cost: Free
- More info here.
Piano Walk
The Piano Walk is one of the more interactive stops along the Light Walk and is perfect for younger kids. Children can run across giant illuminated piano keys, creating sounds and music as they move. Simple? Yes. But kids absolutely love it.
- Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
- Location: IMAX Forecourt, Darling Harbour
- Time: 6pm–11pm
- Cost: Free
- More info here
Musical Mind
Another hands-on favourite for kids is Musical Mind at Cockle Bay Wharf. This installation combines sound and light in an interactive play zone where movement creates changing music and visuals.
- Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
- Location: Cockle Bay Wharf
- Time: 6pm–11pm
- Best for: Ages 4+
- Cost: Free
- More info here.
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Vivid Fire Kitchen has officially moved to its new home at Barangaroo Reserve this year and it looks incredible. This free open-air food festival runs every night of Vivid and includes live fire cooking, massive smokers, chef demonstrations, flame shows, live music and dozens of food vendors.
Even if you don’t stay for dinner, it’s worth walking through for the atmosphere alone.
- Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
- Location: Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo Reserve
- Time: 6pm–11pm nightly
- Cost: Free entry
- More info here.
Light Walk
The Vivid Light Walk is still the heart of the festival and remains completely free. This year’s route has been streamlined into a 6.5km uninterrupted walk stretching from Circular Quay through The Rocks, Barangaroo, Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour.
Along the route, you’ll find giant installations, projections, interactive artworks and plenty of spots to stop for food or breaks. If you’re doing Vivid with younger kids, we’d personally suggest focusing mainly on Darling Harbour and Barangaroo rather than attempting the entire route.
Lights at Barangaroo
Barangaroo has become one of our favourite family areas during Vivid because it generally feels more spacious and less chaotic than Circular Quay. This year, there are several large-scale installations, including Molecule of Light and Obstacle, which is reportedly Vivid’s longest-ever installation.
It’s also where you’ll find Vivid Fire Kitchen, making it a really easy area to spend an entire evening.
Opera House Projections
You really can’t do Vivid without seeing the Sydney Opera House projections. The Lighting of the Sails remains one of the festival’s most iconic experiences and is usually the thing kids remember most afterwards.
- Dates: 22 May – 13 June 2026
- Location: Circular Quay
- Time: From 6pm nightly
- Cost: Free
- More info here.
Our Top Tips For Visiting Vivid With Kids
- Darling Harbour is usually the easiest precinct with younger kids, thanks to playgrounds, wide walkways and nearby food.
- Barangaroo tends to feel calmer and easier with prams.
- Weeknights are MUCH less crowded than Fridays and Saturdays.
- Arrive before sunset if possible so you can explore before peak crowds hit.
- Bring layers. It gets surprisingly cold near the harbour after dark.
- Public transport is strongly recommended during Vivid.
- If your kids won’t manage huge walks, choose one precinct and properly explore it rather than trying to see everything.
Vivid Sydney 2026 runs from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June. Most light installations operate nightly from 6pm–11pm.