The Minns Labor Government is delivering Australia’s most extensive drone show program as part of Vivid Sydney 2026, with the majority of activities free for friends and families to enjoy.
The spectacular new show, titled Star-Bound, will feature 1,000 drones transforming Cockle Bay every Sunday to Wednesday night across 22 shows and 11 nights. The biggest drone show program in the festival’s history.
World-leading UK company Sky Magic will deliver the cutting-edge displays, renowned for producing some of the world’s largest and most complex drone shows.
With shows running across multiple nights, the expanded program is expected to drive increased visitation, encourage people to stay out later and return to the harbour, and deliver strong benefits for hospitality businesses, local operators and Sydney’s night-time economy.
Vivid Sydney has also commissioned one of Australia’s leading composers to create the score for the shows, with commercial and marine vessels able to tune in via an FM frequency to experience the soundtrack live.
Star-Bound will be held every Sunday to Wednesday night at 7.30pm and 9.30pm, except for Sunday 7 June.
Vivid Sydney will take place from 22 May until 13 June, powering NSW’s visitor and night-time economies and cementing Sydney’s status as a global leader in immersive cultural experiences across Light, Music, Minds and Food.
The Vivid Sydney Drone Show, Star‑Bound, is proudly sponsored by IREN, a Vivid Sydney Major Partner.
For more information, go to www.vividsydney.com
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:
“This year, we are delivering a bigger and bolder Vivid Sydney with the majority of activities free, this is a festival that friends and families can enjoy together without breaking the bank.
“This is the biggest drone show program in Vivid Sydney’s history – 22 shows delivered by world-leading company Sky Magic, which has produced some of the most complex and awe-inspiring drone displays ever seen on the planet.
“Sydney Harbour will become a living canvas of light, movement and storytelling, and whether you’re bringing the kids for the first time or enjoying a night out with friends, Star-Bound will offer a unique and memorable experience for all.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said:
“With Star‑Bound, we’re evolving the Vivid Sydney drone shows from a sequence of singular images into a larger, poetic story – one that celebrates life, creation, hope and renewal.
“The journey begins with the smallest building blocks of life and gradually expands outward, moving through nature and into the cosmos, until an entirely new universe is born. It’s a show that is both intimate and epic, inviting audiences to experience something emotional, immersive and awe‑inspiring.”