ICON
20 - 22 October 2023
Free event
To celebrate the Opera House’s 50th birthday, we’re lighting the sails with an eye-catching laser show by renowned Australian audio-visual artist Robin Fox in collaboration with Genius Laser Technology.
| Date | Time |
| Friday 20 October | 8pm - 10.55pm |
| Saturday 21 October | 8pm - 10.55pm |
| Sunday 22 October | 8pm - 10.05pm |
This is a free event best enjoyed from the northern and western boardwalks of the Sydney Opera House.
Wheelchair accessible
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
The laser show will run each night from 8pm to 11pm except Sunday when it ends at 10pm.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
A luminous icon
See the Opera House sails illuminated with lasers as they shine from across the harbour from Admiralty House and Campbell Cove.
Inspired by drawings of the House from the archives and referencing our history, Robin Fox has created an audio-visual art experience that celebrates geometry in space, like the Opera House itself.
For the full audio-visual experience, ICON by Robin Fox is best enjoyed from the northern and western boardwalks with the accompanying soundscape projected through on-site speakers. Or you can view the show from anywhere around Sydney Harbour.
This program is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Blockbusters Funding initiative
Artist information
Robin Fox is an internationally recognised Australian audio-visual artist working across live performance, exhibitions, public art projects and designs for contemporary dance. His laser works, which synchronise sound and visual electricity in hyper-amplified 3D space have been performed in over 60 cities worldwide.
His new work TRIPTYCH premiered at Unsound Krakow late 2022 and has since toured to the Barbican London, Arts Electronica and Berlin Atonal among other festivals. It's the latest in a series of AV space time carvings for real-time performance. TRIPTYCH received the Isao Tomita Special Price at Prix Ars Electronica 2023. QUADRA, an installation commissioned by HOTA on the Gold Coast recently proved a popular hit at the GLOW festival 2018 and at Arts House Melbourne 2019.
Public art projects include creating a Giant Theremin for the City of Melbourne, a seven metre tall interactive musical sculpture; White Beam commissioned by the inaugural Dark Mofo which shot a high-powered white laser through the trees on Salamanca lawns; Skylight a major city-wide installation premiering in 2016 commissioned by Melbourne Fringe; Beacon at Mona Foma 2022 and Sunsuper Night Sky at Brisbane Festival 2022.
Other information
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
Frequently asked questions
ICON starts at 8pm. It’s a great idea to arrive early, grab a drink and soak up the view.
ICON is an outdoor event, please dress appropriately.
You can enjoy one of the many restaurants and bars here at the Opera House. Our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to award-winning fine dining.
ICON is best enjoyed from the northern and western boardwalks with the accompanying soundscape projected through on-site speakers. Or you can view the show from anywhere around Sydney Harbour.
The soundscape will be amplified through speakers on site at the Opera House.
Open House Weekend
To celebrate the Opera House’s 50th birthday, we’re throwing open our doors for a free weekend of exploration and discovery.
Whispers: A Monumental Public Artwork by Quandamooka artist Megan Cope
During October, to mark the occasion of the Sydney Opera House’s 50th anniversary, Cope will install a series of monumental site specific sculptures that honour Tubowgule’s pre-settlement history while considering the environment’s fragility.
Sibyl
Sibyl is a rich sensory experience melding exquisite music, powerful vocals, and compelling visuals from visionary South African artist William Kentridge. The evening of two parts begins with The Moment Has Gone, a film with live score, followed by Waiting for the Sibyl, a chamber opera featuring nine performers.