Immersive Experiences & Exhibits in Sydney

Since the arrival of Western art in Australia by the first European settlers, art has evolved in contemporary culture, depicting many styles and genres. Australian art is known for its diversity, with artists coming from around the world to create art in Australia. By exploring our contemporary Australian art, you can discover the abundance of contemporary art from artists around the world embracing the natural Australian landscape as their own. “For 2026, we are expanding our program into new art forms, including aerial performance, daytime public art, theatre and dance. These join our vast Vivid Minds, Light, Music and Food offerings to now make your Vivid Sydney one of the great comprehensive arts festivals of the world. As usual, it stretches across Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour and for the first time, additional venues in and around the CBD will be hosting Vivid Music, Vivid Food and Vivid Minds events that bring the entire city into the experience.
More than a traditional gallery exhibition, Banksy Limitless is a large-scale, multi-sensory journey into the world of the elusive street artist whose provocative works continue to challenge politics, power, culture and society across the globe. There are many things Sydney does well and immersive experiences are at the top of the list (looking at you Vivid). With bright flashing lights, vibrant colours, and cutting-edge technology, these events will transport you to another mirror maze sydney time. From the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt to a techno rave at Luna Park, these one-of-a-kind experiences are a must-see. Over the past couple of years, there have been times when we've been unable to explore beyond the boundaries of our own LGA, so the thought we could take flight and venture to another planet seemed like absolute fantasy.

Vivid Sydney also hosts a program of events as part of Biennale of Sydney’s Art After Dark series at White Bay Power Station. Headline shows from UK soul singer anaiis and American ambient electronic trio Purelink will light up the night sounds, and a special free closing night party is in the wings with a soon-to-be announced line up. Cockle Bay will be transformed for it’s 16th year For its 16th year, with a nightly laser show called Laser Lightfall, set to music, sending choreographed beams of light sweeping across the harbour sky. Running continuously throughout the evening, the presentation features four shows each hour, marking it the most ambitious free laser show ever staged in Australia. One of the country’s most anticipated exhibitions, this year’s annual showcase runs until August 16.
This permanent exhibition celebrates the world’s oldest living cultures with an extensive collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artifacts, artworks, and interactive displays. Visitors can explore the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s First Nations peoples through stories, objects, and digital experiences. The immersive experience stems from a 25m, 8k resolution, interactive digital canvas. Curated to the human rhythm, the canvas expresses Sydney’s light and movement through the digital artworks of local and international artists, animators and cinematographers. The works of Claude Monet and a host of other impressionist artists, including Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas will be the subject of a huge new multi-sensory exhibition that will take over the Royal Hall of Industries in March. It involves a meticulously assembled multi-screen audiovisual presentation that takes you through Van Gogh’s art practice, drawing on diaries and letters, with bonus 'fragrances'.
It aligns with global formats like Van Gogh immersive shows, teamLab installations and Meow Wolf experiences. The brainchild of Melbourne-based Bruce Peterson, 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 projectors with cinema-quality surround sound. Sydney’s also home to plenty of pubs that draw in local acts and the occasional international name, like the DJ-backed ‘Dusty Sundays’ sessions at Bondi’s beloved Beach Road Hotel. Or check out the line ups at The Lady Hampshire, The Botany View, The Vic on the Park, Crowbar and The Lansdowne. The mums and bubs crowd usually mills through earlier in the day, with families tapering off towards the afternoon, so it's mostly adults during the evenings.

Climb aboard the Mari Nawi for a two-hour journey on a Tribal Warrior Cultural Cruise that will question everything you thought you knew about Sydney. Guided by Aboriginal hosts and crew, you’ll hear the stories of Sydney’s Traditional Owners, whose deep connection to the harbour can be traced back for tens of thousands of years. On Be-lang-le-wool (Clark Island), you’ll learn about traditional fishing techniques, food gathering and sustainability practices, with the day ending in a cultural performance of dance and music.
The D.L.M bar will be back, acting as front of house for ETERNITYLAND. Participants and the public can enjoy a drink in the bar sponsored by Artisan Drinks Co, Y Series by Yalumba, Plantation Rum, Hickson House Distilling Co and Lord Howe Island Brewing Co. This exhibition is part of Sydney International Art Series, made possible with the support of the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Currently, he is the Asia head of restructuring for the renowned global law firm, Milbank, based in Singapore. Antoinette is dedicated to supporting teams, fostering collaboration and championing the essential role of the creative arts in society. Robin Wagner brings a wealth of experience and expertise in mentorship and creativity, and says providing an exceptional dining experience for guests with diverse dietary needs will be central to his approach. Expect seasonal, sustainable ingredients, and new dishes that leave an impact long after you leave the table.
The brainchild of award-winning artist E.L.K., Edge of Chaos is a traditional art gallery on one floor and a mind-expanding virtual reality experience on another. It dares to ask questions about politics, climate change and public disorder, before beginning a journey towards hope and freedom. Sydney has a plethora of galleries and art spaces, from the major institutions to brand new pop-ups. It's an ever-evolving scene with new ways to interact with artists and their work. If you look beyond the traditional formats for how art is displayed and experienced, you'll find there is a wealth of events that are looking to challenge our preconceptions of art and art spaces.
Johnny's bold colour palette, material choices, unique technique, and talent create a rare combination of beautiful contemporary art built on traditional foundations. These works are more than a depiction of the artist's love affair with the Australian land. These are paintings of love — loaded with passion, emotion and positivity. They express the spiritual connection that comes with connecting with the natural world and allowing oneself to recharge. Bring the wide, open spaces of the Australian rural landscape to your home interior with his works.

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.
With many art historians debating the origins of the contemporary art movement, mostly considered to be the late 1960s or early 1970s, it is widely agreed upon that contemporary art evolved from various art movements. There’s also a buzzy nightlife, with plenty of bars to hop between, including Nick and Nora's, a rooftop champagne bar offering views from the 26th floor. For riverside views, stop by the sprawling, 350-seat Alex & Co for cocktails. The beer gardens at The Post and The Albion Hotel also make for a perfect perch on a sunny afternoon. Parramatta’s southern neighbour Harris Park, a veritable ‘Little India’, is a guaranteed good feed.

Digitally projected at unimaginable scales, the vast canvas allows you to admire the beloved artist's most famous works in a whole new world of detail that will take your breath away. Accompanying photographs and videos allow an insider’s peak at the creative process of the gang, including Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Monet and Friends ­– Life, Light and Colour celebrates the lush brushstrokes of Claude and co, the Impressionists who swept up the world in their effervescent depictions of light, love and life. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. We have works by more than 50 of Australia's best contemporary artists on display and works by the nation’s top indigenous artists too.
Even better, if you live in the greater Sydney area, you are free to trial artworks in your home or office to give you a real feel for the works in your space. What's more, we offer a 6 month exchange guarantee with every piece of art we sell, giving you peace of mind in your art  purchasing decision. Art shouldn't just be in galleries and institutions — it should be a part of your life. Bright and colourful Pop Art reimagined commercial products as accessible art, which later shaped Conceptualism, the rejection of art as a commodity, where the concept of the work of art is the focal point of the piece. Earth Art transforms natural landscapes into site-specific artworks, while Street Art is rooted in social activism.