24 May – 15 June 2024
Sydney shines brightly all year round – and especially during the annual Vivid Sydney multi-artform festival. 23 nights of dazzling light installations, fabulous music, thought-provoking talks and deliciously decadent dining experiences with free and ticketed events across the Sydney CBD.
What is Vivid Sydney?
Now in its 14th year, the annual Vivid Sydney celebration of creativity, innovation and technology. Each evening from 6pm between 24 May and 15 June 2024, light installations, projections and events spring into life across Sydney.
See Sydney’s iconic buildings and urban spaces in a new light; the striking ‘sails’ of the Sydney Opera House, the towering pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Tower, Customs House, office buildings, landmarks and parks.
Follow the 8km Vivid Light walk that traces the foreshore from the Sydney Opera House, across Circular Quay, through the Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour to the Goods Line that plays host to the Vivid Sydney Fire Kitchen where visitors can enjoy a feast of First Nations Foods and flame-grilled flavours from around the world. There are 60 light projections and interactive installations dotted along the Light Walk route.
Marvel at the flotilla of floating colour as nearly two dozen participating vessels cruise Sydney’s sparkling Harbour; or see the action from up high with a Sydney Tower Eye Vivid Skywalk with the city lights and ‘Global Rainbow’ at your feet!
In addition to this Sydney light-show spectacular, the Vivid Sydney festival includes a collection of both free and ticketed live music events from live gigs and concerts to late night supper clubs; as well as a multi-faceted “Ideas” program of talks, guided walks, live performances and thought-provoking panel discussions.
There is also a feast of Vivid Sydney dining experiences from night markets offering a smorgasbord of tasty quick bites to degustation dinners presented by some of Sydney’s most creative chefs. Dozens of Sydney restaurants also offer special Vivid Sydney menus and creative cocktails.
How to experience Vivid Sydney:
Sip on French Champagne as you cruise Sydney Harbour aboard a private luxury cruiser to drink in the views of the city’s illuminated skyline.
Climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a Vivid BridgeClimb experience (a twilight climb is particularly spectacular, timed to catch the sunset and see the Vivid lights turn on across the city).
Take in the light spectacular as you taste your way around Sydney with a progressive dinner guided walking tour (three delicious courses enjoyed at three well-chosen local venues with a guided light installation walk between each course)
Enjoy a drink under the sails of the Sydney Opera House (with a special cocktail and Peter Gilmore snack at Bennelong Bar) or dinner in one of the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a menu designed by celebrated Australian chef, Luke Mangan.
Book a room with a view to enjoy the light spectacular from the comfort of your accommodation (Park Hyatt Sydney, Crown Towers Sydney, Shangri-La Sydney, Four Seasons and InterContinental Sydney all enjoy Vivid Sydney views)
Tips for visiting Vivid Sydney
Visit early in the week to avoid the weekend local crowds (this event is very popular with Sydneysiders too!). Early in the evening, just after sunset, is generally also a quieter time to visit.
Wear comfortable shoes – the best way to experience the light spectacular is on foot (and pack an umbrella and/or raincoat if it looks like rain, and layers on cooler evenings – this is an all-weather, outdoor event).
Sign up to My Vivid for interactive maps and to help map out your Vivid Sydney journey.
Book early for ticketed events and our suggested Vivid Sydney experiences.
Visit www.vividsydney.com for further information about this highlight event on the annual Australian events calendar – or contact our Travel Design team to tailor personalised Vivid Sydney experiences: ausdesign@southern-crossings.com
Love a light show? ..
Year round visitors to Australia can enjoy a twinkling Field of Light in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre. With the majestic Uluru as its backdrop, internationally-renowned artist, Bruce Munro’s 50,000 ‘dancing’ lightbulbs decorate the desert each evening. A collection of bookable Field of Light experiences invite visitors to immerse themselves in the installation.
There is now also a second Bruce Munro light installation in the Red Centre. At Kings Canyon Resort the Light Towers immersive sound and light installation consists of 69 two-metre towers of light that glow and change colour in response to the music playing inside them.
For something entirely different, Tasmania’s capital city, Hobart, annually hosts Dark MOFO – a provocative mid-winter arts festivals presented with MONA. Exhibitions, light installations and concerts pop up all over town, however the festival highlights also include a spectacular Winter Feast where more than 80 food stalls invite visitors to sample some of the island’s finest produce. (Dark MOFO is held in June each year to coincide with the winter solstice).
Visitors to Tasmania at this time of year may also be treated to nature’s light show, Aurora Australis. The Southern Lights are best enjoyed away from city lights, in locations with unobstructed views to the South – Bruny Island, Satellite Island, Coles Bay, Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park and Bathurst Harbour provide picture-perfect opportunities to spot this natural phenomenon.
Image: Vivid Sydney 2019
