Captivating Immersive Experiences You Can't Miss In Sydney

As an integrated extension of the digital canvas, shifting light images flow through the ceiling, wall and water elements of the space, expanding the visual content beyond the canvas into the entire two-storey foyer. A 13m-tall cylindrical, programmable artwork of falling water cascades in multiple forms down through the centre of the space, becoming a gracefully moving canvas for light, laser and projections. Traditions of tiptoeing through silent galleries and viewing paintings from afar in quiet contemplation are forgotten as visitors find themselves interacting with art in ways they never imagined. Van Gogh’s works have been exhibited and admired for over a century – but never like this. Created by Grande Experiences, Van Gogh Alive, a COVID-Safe digital art experience, gives visitors the unique opportunity to immerse themselves into Van Gogh’s artistry and truly venture into his world.
After a bumper first season, Dream Circus – the immersive experience created right here by a bunch of talented Sydney creatives and technicians – is back. The brainchild of Melbourne based Bruce Patterson, ‘Van Gogh Alive’ uses Grande Exhibitions’ state of the art Sensory 4 system that combines multi-channel motion graphics beamed through up to 40 high definition interactive digital art sydney projectors with cinema-quality surround sound. It is set to an evocative classical score, a thrilling display of over 3,000 enormous crystal clear images is beamed across walls, columns and floors.

Blending immersive technology, provocative storytelling and world-renowned street art, Banksy Limitless stands as one of Sydney’s must-see cultural experiences of 2026. Whether you’re a long-time Banksy admirer or discovering his work for the first time, Banksy Limitless delivers an unforgettable artistic experience that extends far beyond conventional exhibitions. A spectacular hologram installation and dynamic multimedia environments further elevate the experience, redefining how street art can be experienced within a gallery setting. Featuring more than 250 artworks, installations and visual elements, Banksy Limitless offers visitors an expansive exploration of the artist’s career, influence and global cultural impact. After captivating more than 120,000 visitors during its acclaimed London debut, Banksy Limitless has officially arrived in Sydney, bringing one of the world’s most talked-about immersive art experiences to the historic precinct of The Rocks.
Maysoon Masalha & Bassam Al-Selawi – Jordanian duo based in Dubai, creating wall-mounted sculptures where light and shadow reveal hidden stories. Hayley Egan – Tongan-Australian sculptor and designer bringing film-industry magic to interiors with resin, metal, and whimsical light. Kristina Forrest – Australian artist and pattern designer whose vibrant geometry and bloom-inspired art turn colour theory into joy. If you’re in the market to buy our Australian art, we ship our artworks worldwide and pack with extreme caution to prevent any damages in transit. That way, you can rest assured that your prized possession will arrive at your door safely. If you’re uneasy about buying Australian art online, you can exchange your artwork for your full purchase price credit within six months of the date of purchase.
Another Broadway musical to make its highly anticipated Australian premiere at Teatro at the Italian Forum is the feel-good Tootsie, described by The New York Post as “Broadway’s funniest new musical”. Among the festival’s highlights is the world’s “mouldiest” cheese, which attendees will be able to taste for themselves, as well as giant cheese wheels, melting raclette and curated wine pours. Combining one of the world’s best pairings under one roof, Mould X Pinot Palooza will bring some of the world’s best cheeses and wines to Hordern Pavilion this weekend. MOULD will bring over 50 varieties of Australian artisan cheese to the table, while Pinot Palooza will match them with 50+ expressions of Pinot Noir from Australia, New Zealand and beyond. We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW, and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture. Vivid Sydney  is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

If you’d rather avoid strollers and crying kids, sunset onwards is your best bet. Let yourself to be swept up in the soaring beauty of works like ‘Wheatfield with Crows’, ‘Vase with Twelve Sunflowers’ and ‘Starry Night over the Rhone’, all digitally projected at unimaginable scales – and supported by a symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance. A unique, hands-on art adventure that turns every birthday into a masterpiece of memories. What sets Balloon Story apart is its commitment to both artistry and sustainability. All sculptures are crafted from natural latex balloons, offering an eco-conscious approach to large-scale installation art. Every sculpture uses latex balloons; natural rubber rather than synthetic materials, with over 200 artists contributing to the designs, creating everything from oversized animals to walk-through environments that test what’s actually possible with inflated rubber.
The most extensive touring Harry Potter exhibition ever created has finally landed in Sydney, and it's every bit as magical as you'd hope. For kids who can't get enough of the weird, the wriggly, and the wonderfully disgusting, the Australian Museum's newest exhibition might just be their dream come true. Spanning beloved animated features to must-see new releases, the lineup goes well beyond the ordinary. Many of these gems have only ever screened at prestigious international festivals, making CHIFF the rare opportunity to see them right here in Australia. Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water. All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.

The famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is more challenging – the handful of stairs and steep sections mean the full walk is best suited for school-aged kids – but it can also be broken into smaller walks that will suit little legs. Make a whole day of it with stops to catch a wave at Bronte, swim in the ocean pool at Clovelly or snorkel in Gordons Bay. Drawing on horror and noir film conventions, the piece weaves together pop culture and humour to explore how fear functions as both a concept and a lived experience. From Yve Blake, creator of Fangirls, comes a darkly comic reimagining of Macbeth set in the world of early 2000s kids’ TV. When a geriatric make-up artist has a vision that she will become the number one pop girl in the world, her stage mum decides to make it happen at any cost.
Step into the Levitation Station, where an upside-down train illusion plays tricks on your sense of gravity. Peek behind the curtain in the Movie Magic Room and discover how cinematic soundscapes and visual tricks come to life. With installations that blend light, sound, scent, and touch, no two moments feel the same.
The city’s theatre scene is also in top form, with the official opening of the iconic rock musical Hair injecting a burst of peace, love and 1960s counterculture into the weekend. Meanwhile, audience favourites The Lion King and Anastasia, along with Bell Shakespeare’s sharp new satire Mackenzie, continue their successful Sydney seasons. Sports fans can also get swept up in World Cup fever as Australia begins its campaign, with live sites and pubs across the city gearing up to screen the tournament. The Socceroos play their first game against Turkiye on Sunday, so get down to a fan zone or a local pub to cheer them on.

Australian art in the contemporary space not only depicts the Australian identity but represents relevant social issues faced by the world today. Our local Australian and international artists utilise different art mediums and expressions to tell a story. Hu Ming’s works depict the accumulation of her experiences in the Chinese army, while New York-based Alina Gozin’a captures many of the world’s most famous faces with her fine art photography. World-renowned Italian artist Natino Chirico, a favourite artist of movie siren Sophia Loren, captures celebrities from Charlie Chaplin to Michael Jackson with bursts of colour and vision. Most interesting is the addition of daytime events to the schedule for the very first time.
Over 90 minutes, learn from Aboriginal educators about seasonal food cycles, traditional knowledge systems, and the enduring spiritual connection between the Gadigal people and Country. The open spaces and high ceilings of the convention centre are perfect for recreating the cavernous feelings of outer space, and giant curved screens cover many of the walls. The entrance hall features an incredibly detailed scale model of the earth suspended from the ceiling (strategically placed so your focus is immediately drawn to Australia) while videos of stars, galaxies and clouds of nebulae travel past on the screens. Step into a breathtaking world of Edwardian elegance, immerse yourselves in the stories of the past, and enjoy a truly memorable experience with friends and family. Descend 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface to uncover the Titanic’s haunting remains. Witness the eerie beauty of the wreck as it rests preserved in the ocean’s depths.

This is unquestionably one of the must-see exhibitions of your life, for there is nothing else like it. The children had an amazing time, and every display was delightful and engaging. From intricate sculptures to fully immersive environments, our installations push the boundaries of craft and design, redefining what balloon art can be. The Department of Legend and Myth (D.L.M) was a popular secret pop-up bar during VIVID, giving people a taste of the epic experience of ETERNITYLAND that was to come.
Local Australian artist Fiona Craig communicates her love and adoration for the nature and fauna of the Blue Mountains, where she grew up with her floral artworks. There are also amazing outback figurative depictions by Colin Parker, abstract works by Conchita Carambano, James Shand and Rob Forlani, or figurative pieces by Sandro Nocentini. See the brilliant surreal works of Nick Fedaeff and feast your eyes on the most spectacular shimmering ocean in a seascape by Falk Kautzner. The 2026 Vivid Festival schedule has officially been released, and Sydney Travel Guide has scoured the program to highlight the absolute best of the fest for your entertainment. Take a sneak peek at the very best Western Sydney has to offer, from delicious authentic street food to a line-up of epic thrills. Head to popular eat street along Church Street and Wigram Road to find relaxed restaurants and cafes, serving an assortment of cuisines, from Asian and Italian to everything in between.