Exciting Immersive Art Experiences to Sink Into In and Around 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.
One of Australia’s most exciting young Indigenous artists of today, Tony Albert’s new exhibition at the MCA brings together his work across sculpture, photography, installation, painting, and assemblage alongside major new commissions. “Today’s program mirror maze sydney launch confirms we’re creating a more dynamic experience for visitors while reinforcing Sydney’s reputation as a creative, forward-looking and globally connected city. World Cup fever is about to hit Sydney, and this time the kids can get in on the action, too. From this weekend, free live sites across the city will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 to giant screens, with families able to grab a spot on the grass, pick up something tasty from a food truck, and cheer on the Socceroos with a crowd.

It’s a little like a Van Gogh Alive or Frida Kahlo multi-sensory exhibition, except that rather than images being projected onto flat wall and floor surfaces, the set is built with depth and structures and texture, so that the action pops out from the walls. Van Gogh Alive’ is the large scale, multi-sensory experience that has inspired over 6 million people across 50 cities around the world including Rome, Milan, Berlin, Shanghai, Hong Kong and more. The digital spectacular opened today (Friday 18 September) for a strictly limited COVID aware season at the Royal Hall Of Industries. Vivid Music will deliver over 100 live music performances, with a free program at Tumbalong Park lighting up Darling Harbour every night of the festival, showcasing Aussie pop, indie music, First Nations performances and a diverse array of languages and cultures. The timing of the exhibition, which runs  from mid-May to mid-July, is particularly auspicious.
They put together a team of Sydney-based creatives and technicians who have worked on some of the biggest creative projects in the world, from Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies to Marvel films, Vivid Sydney and location-based experiences like ABBA Voyage. In the spirit of reconciliation, Holidays with Kids acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Get exclusive access to free giveaways and double passes to cinema and theatre events across Sydney. Everything about this new experience is aligned with the Art-Deco amusement park’s 1935 ethos of providing visitors with wonder, escapism and joy – so this next chapter for Luna Park Sydney is about finding harmony between the best of the old and the best of the new. Experience Vincent Van Gogh and his art in a way you never have before.
At such a scale, the vibrant brushstrokes and vivid details of Van Gogh’s work are truly breathtaking. Dive into the fascinating world of sharks in this immersive exhibition that explores these misunderstood ocean predators. With life-sized models, interactive displays, and educational content, visitors can learn about shark conservation, biology, and their important role in marine ecosystems. Sydney offers numerous exhibitions designed with families in mind, combining education with interactive experiences that engage visitors of all ages. Vivid Food continues to grow as a festival favourite, celebrating the state’s vibrant culinary culture and world-renowned produce, with events led by global food icons such as Nigella Lawson as well as experiences in some of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurants. The hugely popular Vivid Fire Kitchen also returns to The Goods Line, offering free cooking demonstrations and flame-fuelled flavours from across the globe.

Whether you’re a history buff, art enthusiast, or looking for family-friendly activities, these exhibitions provide enriching experiences that highlight Australia’s heritage and global connections. Featuring works by artists such as Hayley Egan, Jeremy Worrall, and Akiyoshi Kitaoka, this museum of illusions brings together sculptors, illusionists, and perception artists from across the globe. Explore the Holographic Moon Room, a 3D  projection that takes you straight to a shimmering lunar landscape.
Local restaurants and bars will be on hand for food and refreshments as you take the opportunity to explore the exhibited art at your own pace, stopping to take in a performance or a piece of film. NFTs (or Non-Fungible Tokens) are the hot thing right now, attracting attention and headlines from those looking to speculate and accumulate. While they're usually consigned to the digital realm, MidCity Shopping Centre – located in the heart of Pitt Street Mall – is bringing them to life in a unique exhibition where you can enjoy art while you shop. At Ballet of Lights, guests are immersed into a world where classical choreography, glowing ballerina costumes and nostalgia come together to tell popular stories like Cinderella, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty.

We know it can be overwhelming if you haven’t planned properly, which is why we present to you the Sydney Travel Guide’s guide to Vivid Sydney. From musicals straight from the stages of Broadway to the latest exhibitions, get in touch with your creative side at these theatres, galleries and museums. What about with one of the world’s greatest harbours, framed by that striking bridge and home to the architectural masterpiece that is the Sydney Opera House? Or the huge green swathe of the Royal Botanic Garden, smack-dab in the middle of the city? No matter which direction you head in, the Sydney CBD offers something extraordinary.
Our hot tip is to line up your visit with Cambridge Markets EQ – with hot eats, fresh produce, flowers and cute stalls to boot right next to the Grand Pavilion every Wednesday and Saturday. Sky Portal Studio has been set up at First Fleet Park in The Rocks, Sydney, as part of Vivid Sydney, one of the world’s leading multi-artform festivals. This space offers visitors an interactive experience through three portal installations. It will open on May 22 and run through June 13, offering free access to festivalgoers.
The first escape room in Parramatta, you’ll need to use your logic and skills to make it out in under 60 minutes. Start indoors with glowing digital worlds at DigiPark, then keep the night going with selected dining offers nearby. For a more action-adventure spin, The Last Stronghold transports you into a medieval fantasy world via immersive VR.

Or, you can really turn your immersive experience up a notch with free-flowing cocktails. It’s a unique feast of epic proportions that elevates the dining experience beyond the ingredients on the plate for an incredible night out. It allows visitors to walk through and experience the artwork in an immersive, narrative-driven environment.
There are ingenious, tailor-made gizmos like scratch-resistant lenses and ear thermometers, all developed with life on the International Space Station in mind. In fact, you can even walk through a replica cross-section of the International Space Station, see the myriad of dials and buttons, then gaze out of the porthole, imagining you're orbiting thousands of kilometres above the earth. A voyage through time that brings the legacy of the Titanic to life, supporting classroom learning through exploration, storytelling, and visual discovery. It seemed pretty realistic to take the stairs or climb the ladder in VR. A unique, family-friendly journey through history — immersive, educational, and full of charm.

A truly immersive and well-designed experience.We loved moving through each section and taking it all in at our own pace. Embark on a whimsical journey through our balloon wonderland, where every corner invites discovery and your imagination can run wild. From larger-than-life creations to interactive moments, there’s something magical waiting around every turn. Balloon Story is now open in Sydney after enchanting thousands in New York — where it scored an outstanding 4.7/5 ⭐ rating. Step inside a world built from over 400,000 balloons and discover an immersive, eco-friendly universe bursting with colour, creativity and pure imagination.
With Vivid Sydney 2025 set to turn on the lights tonight, locals and visitors from around the world are preparing to experience the vibrant cultural showpiece that transforms the Harbour City into Australia’s largest celebration of creativity and innovation. Through yarning circles and cultural storytelling sessions for schools and community programs, participants gain insight into culture, history, and lived experience, creating a respectful and meaningful space for learning and understanding. At Aboriginal Cultural Immersions, we partner with Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Owners, artists, performers, and cultural educators across Australia to deliver authentic cultural experiences that create lasting impact beyond a single awareness week or event.