Vivid Sydney has sowed frustration for thousands of spectators who travelled into the major city for the drone light show to be cancelled just 20 minutes before it was set to start.
Spectators battled the chilly weather to congregate at Circular Quay on Saturday for the ‘Love is in the Air’ show, but were left confused when the announcement was made due to “forecasted weather conditions”.
Despite the announcement on social media being timestamped for 8.43pm, the announcement was not posted on X until 8:52, and on Facebook at 8.55pm.
The show was set to comment at 9.10pm.
“Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, the Vivid Sydney drone show will not proceed this evening,” the announcement read.
“The show will not be rescheduled.”
As Saturday marked the conclusion of Vivid, the drone show was cancelled with no option of postponement, which turned excitement into anger.
“Honestly, worst Vivid ever. What a complete debacle. Needs a total overhaul next year – absolute mess,” one X user wrote.
“This is going down like a lead balloon!” wrote another.
“Waste of time, cancel it earlier and let people find other stuff to do,’ wrote a third.
Many contested the circumstances for the cancellation as the weather was supposedly “fine”, with one disappointed spectator claiming they were on a boat on the harbour where it was “perfect”, despite being “a bit chilly”.
Anticipated revellers also took to Facebook to voice their dissatisfaction, with many claiming the cancellation was unnecessary,
“Skies clear from 6-8, then 20 mins of rain and it was clear again by 9.15. The crowds had already gathered, a bit of common sense and flexibility and you could have either flown the drones early or ten mins late,” one wrote.
“Wasn’t even raining at 9:10 and a light sprinkle before that! Ridiculous,” wrote another.
“Too early to declare. 9.20 now, rain stopped and sky is clear. You should have delayed it until 9.30. Boo!” wrote a third.
Meanwhile, another pointed out the adults were the ones making more of a fuss out of the situation than the kids who were in attendance.
“Just here for the “oh the kids are not gonna be happy” dribble … the kids will get over it. You’re the adult,” they wrote.