The Vivid Sydney competition’s drone mild present might return this yr after being cancelled in 2025 as a result of security issues.
As much as 1,000 drones could possibly be used for the 2026 present, proposed to run over 14 nights at Darling Harbour, versus its former location close to Round Quay. The present was axed final yr following dangerously massive crowds in 2024.
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In a request for tender launched late final yr, the NSW Authorities indicated that the drone exhibits would run as much as twice per night time for 14 nights throughout Vivid, which is ready for 22 Could to 13 June 2026.
“Over the 23 nights, the Occasion commences with ‘Lights On’ at 18:00 hours and concludes with ‘Lights Off’ at 23:00 hours,” the federal government mentioned.
“The provider shall be accountable to plan, ship and handle skilled drone exhibits for Vivid Sydney 2026.
“The provider should present all personnel, tools, methods, and logistical help essential to ship protected, compliant and high-quality performances.”
Exhibits could be 8-12 minutes lengthy, probably operating Friday-Monday inclusive or Thursday-Sunday inclusive, in keeping with the tender request.
Paul Nicolaou from Enterprise Sydney informed 9 Information that he welcomed the present’s potential return.
“I feel the federal government will work with related companies, police and safety, to verify it goes off nicely in the event that they go down this path,” he mentioned.
“That you must at all times take a look at all these occasions and do what you possibly can to enhance them and make them extra thrilling yearly. There’s a brand new competition director who will herald some new concepts.
“It’s a tourism engine for our metropolis, and we actually want to make sure that our Vivid is unbelievable.”
NSW tourism physique Vacation spot NSW had scrapped the present for 2025’s Vivid competition citing chaotic scenes in 2024 the place enormous attendance virtually brought about a crowd crush across the Round Quay space.
“The modifications required to mitigate the protection danger at Vivid Sydney 2025 created a big improve in price,” the company mentioned on the time.
“Within the broader context of rising prices for staging occasions, Vacation spot NSW has determined this isn’t the perfect allocation of sources.”
The request for tender closes on 21 January, with a choice to be made by 27 February.
