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Drones Plummet into Sydney Harbour During Light Show
26 May
Summary
- Nearly 90 drones fell into the water during a Vivid Sydney festival event.
- A change in radio frequency was cited as the cause of the drone malfunction.
- Several upcoming shows were canceled pending a full technical assessment.
A light show at Sydney's Darling Harbour experienced significant disruption on May 25th, 2026, when 89 drones unexpectedly fell from the night sky. Eighty-three drones landed in the harbour, with six others impacting the boardwalk. The incident occurred during the annual Vivid Sydney festival, a popular tourist attraction.
Skymagic, the British company responsible for the drone display, attributed the malfunction to a change in radio frequency. Despite the dramatic failure, Skymagic stated that all drones remained within safety parameters. Organizers of the Vivid Sydney festival acknowledged the "unforeseen technical difficulties" and have since canceled multiple upcoming shows.
Destination New South Wales, represented by chief executive Karen Jones, apologized for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to the audience. The possibility of future drone shows resuming on Sunday night remained uncertain, pending the outcome of a thorough assessment by Skymagic and government agencies. Last year, drone shows were omitted from the festival due to overcrowding concerns.
