Vivid Sydney has officially cancelled its much-hyped drone show for the remainder of the 2026 festival after an “unforeseen technical issue” caused nearly 90 drones to plunge into the harbour on Thursday night, May 28, 2026.
The incident occurred during a test flight ahead of the scheduled performances. No injuries were reported, and authorities confirmed that the drones were retrieved from the water. The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.
Organisers stated that the decision to cancel the remaining shows was made to ensure public safety and to allow for a thorough review of the technology. The drone show was a highlight of this year's Vivid program, featuring hundreds of illuminated drones.
Vivid Sydney continues with other events, including light installations and music performances, running until June 15, 2026.
