Exciting Immersive Art Experiences to Sink Into In and Around Sydney

Filipino Australian playwright Happy Feraren’s world premiere comedy runs into June at Belvoir’s Downstairs Theatre. Sydney’s June markets lean towards handmade and independent makers, with two established artisan events and a one-night pop-up as part of the Rise Manly winter festival. “I was inspired to create a digital artwork that was embedded within the architecture of the space, by connecting elements and visualising the whole environment working in sync as one, for the purpose of integrating and enriching the human experience,” Ramus said. These sumptuous meals can be taken to the next level with a three-course curated specialty wine pairing or a free-flowing prosecco package for the full 90-minute journey.
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 immersive art experience 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.

From celebrated musicals to thought-provoking dramas, there’s no shortage of entertainment for theatre enthusiasts this month. Below are some of the highlights gracing the city’s stages this month. June is Pride Month, and Qtopia Sydney’s Pride Fest brings together over 150 events celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture and history across the city. This year Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is also running three fundraiser events across the month, marking the anniversary of the first Mardi Gras on 24 June 1978. Van Gogh Alive is a 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, Moscow and many more. The experience has been extended due to popular demand, is now open in Sydney and running through February.
An unforgettable and eye-opening adventure awaits your arrival at the Sydney Virtual Room. In Tripadvisor’s top 10% of attractions worldwide, this virtual experience features team-based VR experiences and encourages problem-solving. The perfect plan for a kid’s birthday party or Sunday afternoon with the family, don’t miss out on one of Sydney’s best immersive experiences. This brand-new immersive experience will open its doors in September and promises to transport visitors to a bygone world of pharaohs, pyramids, and more.
Unlock creativity and teamwork with an immersive experience that’s both fun and educational—perfect for school excursions, tour groups, or large group visits. So we built an immersive art and sensory experience where mirrors mislead, shapes speak, and rooms refuse to sit still. The Jazz Room recreates the feeling of a 1920s New Orleans bar, where music fills the room and the crowd becomes part of it. The space is dimly lit and close-knit, with small tables and a band that plays just a few steps away, and trumpets, bass, and piano trade off a spontaneous way. It’s like spending a night in a New Orleans neighbourhood club, a place where the atmosphere does as much of the talking as the music. With tributes to soul, jazz, and blues, prepare to be immersed into the heart of these masterful genres.

A stunning sensory experience thatblends the virtual and the real,unlocking a brand-new interactivescenes. This theatrical cocktail bar transforms you into a prisoner wearing an orange jumpsuit and navigating a prison world ruled by crooked guards and bootlegging gangs. Over 1 hour 45 minutes, you’ll sip four expertly crafted drinks (or mocktails), haggle for contraband, and maybe even hatch an escape plan. The actors keep you part of the story, whether you’re playing the mole or colluding with the Warden.
Sydney Arts Guide acknowledges the traditional land and its owners and the contribution of the First Nations People of Australia, past, present and evolving. My highlight of the exhibition was the sight of ‘mountains’ of letters flying down the screens. It was a brilliant way of describing the vast number of letters that were exchanged between Vincent and his brother Theo.

Aboriginal Cultural Immersions acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent. Our school programs are designed to support the Australian Curriculum and help schools embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in meaningful, engaging ways. In Victoria, Aboriginal culture is not something you simply observe, it’s something you are invited into.
Step into the Levitation Station, where an upside-down train illusion plays tricks on your sense of gravity. Peek behind the curtain in the Movie Magic Room and discover how cinematic soundscapes and visual tricks come to life. With installations that blend light, sound, scent, and touch, no two moments feel the same.
Collaborations across the series include Mindy Woods with Danielle Alvarez at Sydney Opera House, Ben Devlin with Lennox Hastie at Firedoor, and Christine Manfield with Sander Nooij at Yellow. The Minns Labor Government is also proud to bring back the biggest drone show program in Vivid Sydney history, with a record 22 drone performances across 11 nights at Cockle Bay, the most the festival has ever delivered. New this year, the festival extends into the day with daytime activations across the city, giving families and visitors more opportunities to experience the festival from morning through to night. In 2025, Vivid Sydney partnered with more than 400 local businesses, drawing millions of visitors to the city and strengthening NSW’s visitor and night‑time economies. Local businesses can now submit expressions of interest for the 2026 Vivid Sydney Local Business Program.

Nearby, Qudos Bank Arena draws more big names, as does ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour. For more intimate – but no less iconic – shows, the Sydney Opera House offers seven different stages right on the harbour. On balmy summer nights the Domain serves up alfresco (and often free) shows on its stage between the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Art Gallery of NSW, and has welcomed legends such as Kylie Minogue, Arctic Monkeys, RÜFÜS DU SOL and more. Catch a light rail service to Moore Park on the L2 Randwick Line or L3 Kingsford Line to get within a short walking distance of EQ. There are also a number of regular buses that stop along Anzac Parade, Oxford Street and other nearby roads within a short walk of EQ.
It opens at the State Theatre on June 3 and runs across the city until this Sunday. The FIFA World Cup may be taking place on the other side of the world, but soccer fans will be able to catch all the action around Sydney, with the NSW government set to announce live sites across the city. Follow the Socceroos as they chase glory in North America at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, where all of three of their group stage games will be screened. Whether you’re looking for cinema, sport, food, music or culture, here are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.

Whether your crew is chasing bushwalks, bakeries, beaches, playgrounds, animal encounters or just somewhere scenic to eat hot chips in the car, it's the kind of low-effort family adventure that makes Sunday feel like a mini holiday. The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026 are giving families a colourful culture fix at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, with famous portraits, striking landscapes, sculptures and contemporary artworks all under one roof. Whether you have a curious toddler or a film-obsessed tweenager, CHIFF has something special in store. Created for kids aged 3 to 12, this beloved festival serves up a hand-selected mix of international and homegrown feature films and shorts on the big screen. And this year's program is the most exciting yet with 30 incredible children's films drawn from every corner of the globe. All events featured in this guide are run by independent organisers, with details sourced from their official websites at the time of publishing.
Local Australian artist Fiona Craig communicates her love and adoration for the nature and fauna of the Blue Mountains, where she grew up with her floral artworks. There are also amazing outback figurative depictions by Colin Parker, abstract works by Conchita Carambano, James Shand and Rob Forlani, or figurative pieces by Sandro Nocentini. See the brilliant surreal works of Nick Fedaeff and feast your eyes on the most spectacular shimmering ocean in a seascape by Falk Kautzner. The 2026 Vivid Festival schedule has officially been released, and Sydney Travel Guide has scoured the program to highlight the absolute best of the fest for your entertainment. Take a sneak peek at the very best Western Sydney has to offer, from delicious authentic street food to a line-up of epic thrills. Head to popular eat street along Church Street and Wigram Road to find relaxed restaurants and cafes, serving an assortment of cuisines, from Asian and Italian to everything in between.