Vivid Sydney 2026

Festival

Photo showing a digital render of art sculptures, made from light, floating on the water with a photo of the museum in the background.

In 2026 the Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to announce its largest Vivid Sydney program to date, celebrating Indigenous artforms and storytelling.

From 22 May to 13 June, the Museum will be championing the incredible work of renowned Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Island) artist Brian Robinson, with the precinct being illuminated after dark by Mythical Mashup: The Graphic Worlds of Brian Robinson.

Robinson’s work already is celebrated in his collaborative exhibition Ur Wayii (Incoming Tide) on show in the Museum.

Vivid Light

Mythical Mashup: The Graphic Worlds of Brian Robinson

In collaboration with Torres Strait artist Brian Robinson - of the Maluyligal people of Western Torres Strait and the Wuthathi people of Shelburne Bay, East Coast of Cape York Peninsula - the Australian National Maritime Museum will present a trilogy of light-based installations across rooftop, harbour, and heritage architecture, transforming the precinct into a surreal realm where mythology, marine life, and pop culture collide.

Friday 22 May – Saturday 13 June
Daily from 6pm – 11pm
Free

Cosmic Chase - Rooftop Projection

Cosmic Chase transforms the museum rooftop into a looping, animated battleground where ancient mythology collides with pop culture and arcade-era fantasy. Drawing on the graphic language of Torres Strait artist Brian Robinson, the projection unfolds as a playful pursuit across a glowing field of geometric flowers, marine motifs, and bold patterning.

This work features the art of Brian Robinson and was developed in collaboration with S1T2.

Floating Realm - Harbour & Lighthouse Installation

Floating Realm unfolds across the harbour and lighthouse as a sculptural landscape of LED-lit forms, hovering on the water’s surface and suspended in the sky. Monumental tentacles curl and rise from the harbour, joined by drifting fish, a glowing moon, and other forms drawn from Robinson’s visual world where marine life, mythology, and pop culture collide.

This work features the art of Brian Robinson and was developed in collaboration with Junior Major.

Vivid Minds

Beyond the Bleach

The Great Barrier Reef’s demise is widely seen as a foregone conclusion – but is that framing limiting our imagination of what comes next?

Combatting despair, Beyond the Bleach considers how we can best look after the Great Barrier Reef, incorporating Indigenous knowledge of the seas alongside Camp’s leading research of coral reef recovery. They’ll explore how art and storytelling like Robinson’s can shift perspectives.

Wednesday 10 June
6pm – 9pm
General admission: $30

More details to come

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Photo showing a large number of people standing along the museum waterfront at night.

Photo showing a woman in an orange top presenting on a stage.

Photo showing a crowd of people, in the centre is a woman wearing red coat, scarf and classes smiling as she chats to a group.

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Sea Gathering - Myth & Modernity

The museum will transform into a vibrant harbour-side meeting place for one luminous night during Vivid Sydney.

Inspired by Torres Strait traditions of coming together to share stories, knowledge and resources, a sea gathering is a cultural exchange - a space of connection between people, place and practice. Guided by Torres Strait artist Brian Robinson’s bold visual world, the museum becomes a living canvas of light, play and sound.

Move freely across a rooftop lookout, waterfront boardwalk and illuminated installations. There’ll be live music, hands-on artmaking inspired by marine mythology and sci-fi futures, digital play, and informal artist talks. Explore First Nations exhibitions after dark and enjoy native-ingredient dining overlooking the harbour.

Part night festival, part exhibition, part community celebration, Sea Gathering invites audiences to participate, create and connect - weaving tradition and technology into a shared contemporary cultural experience.

Tuesday 2 June
6pm – 9pm
Free

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Photo taken outside at night, showing a group of people watching a performance on the museum waterfront.

Photo taken at night of a group of people performing on the museum waterfront lit by candles.

Wonderverse

Explore a universe of light in this immersive, awe-inspiring and interactive adventure for young children and their families, travelling across worlds of colour and imagination. Suggested for ages 4-10, Wonderverse encourages exploration, play and creativity as children meet mesmerising fireflies, explore a forest of light and contemplate the vastness of the universe.

Created by acclaimed Australian childrens’ theatre company Patch Theatre, Wonderverse’s vibrant worlds are brought to life with engaging guides, interactive lighting designs by Geoff Cobham and epic tunes by Elisha Umuhuri from Aboriginal hip-hop sensation DEM MOB.

Making its NSW debut, this innovative 40-minute adventure blends theatre, visual spectacle and play for a memorable and educational experience.

Friday 22 May – Saturday 13 June
Tickets $25

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Members Vivid Sydney Cruise

Join the Maritime Museum’s exclusive chartered cruise to see Sydney transformed into a wonderland of light as Vivid Sydney returns.

Thursday, May 28
Cruise departs at 6.30pm . Please arrive at 6.00pm for registration.

Museum Member Adult:$99.95
Museum Member Child (4 - 15 years old): $70.00
Adult ( Non Museum Member : $110.00
Child (4 - 15 years old): $80.00

Vivid Moonlight Sea Kayaking Experience

Step into an enchanting world with Sydney Harbour Kayaks on an unforgettable 90-minute night-time sea kayaking journey. The leisurely paddle adventure begins and concludes at the museum. These guided kayaking expeditions offer a rare opportunity to traverse Darling Harbour on a moonlit escapade, granting you an unparalleled, and unique perspective of Vivid Sydney.

Friday 22 May – Saturday 13 June
6pm and 8.30pm sessions
Adults: $135.00 / Children (under 16) $69.00

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