Vivid Sydney canceled its 20th drone show before the closing night of this year’s lights festival began.
Spectators braving the cold flocked to Circular Quay on Saturday night to enjoy the Love is in the air The show was furious after the shocking announcement was made due to “predicted weather conditions.”
‘The show will not be rescheduled, as tonight marks the conclusion of Vivid Sydney 2024. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Please be patient when leaving,” the post said.
The show was scheduled to start at 9:10 p.m., but the notice, although dated 8:43 p.m., was sent on X at 8:52 p.m. and on Facebook at 8:55 p.m.
Organizers said beforehand that they were expecting large crowds, but that the show was also dependent on the weather.
A member of the crowd posted that they were sitting in Ms Maquarie’s chair overlooking the harbor and that “the weather is nice”.
Circular Quay in Sydney was completely packed on Saturday night, but the drone show set to climax Vivid was canceled 20 minutes before it was due to start.
The show features drones programmed to perform a spectacular light show over Sydney Harbor similar to fireworks.
Organizers said the drone show was canceled due to the weather, although many complained there was only a brief window of rain.
Sydney Harbor was due to host the drone show for Vivid’s closing night.
Vivid caused controversy just a few days ago when large crowds milling around the city during the fair caused a major pedestrian traffic jam.
Members of the crowd who had made the trip to attend the drone show on Saturday expressed their frustration online.
“I saw that a lot of people were still waiting for the show and didn’t know it had been cancelled,” one said.
‘Clear sky from 6 to 8, then 20 minutes of rain and it was clear again at 9:15. The crowd had already gathered, a little common sense and flexibility and they could have flown the drones early or ten minutes late… I’m sure hundreds of families wouldn’t have minded.”
“It’s a waste of time, canceling it early and letting people find other things to do,” said a third.
A fourth simply fumed, saying it was a “scam.”
“I paid hundreds of dollars for a harbor cruise to see it,” said a fifth.
A message was sent on social media 20 minutes before the drone show began.
One person online said the show could have been canceled hours in advance and saved people trouble.
Vivid has largely been a success, but last week’s pedestrian jam and Saturday night’s disappointment will no doubt leave a sour taste.
Visitors who braved the cold had to make their way back through the crowds and one person said they had spent hundreds on a harbor cruise.
Public transport was packed near Circular Quay at around 10pm on Saturday as disappointed crowds headed home.