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The annual Vivid Sydney event is fast approaching and sees Sydney transformed into a spectacular display of light, interactive art, music, and performance. Here is an event summary as well as some local tips to help you enjoy the festival.
From May 23 to June 14, 2025, Vivid Sydney will dazzle multitudes of both locals and visitors who come to see the city undertake its annual transformation. Now in its 15th year, the festival is one of the most popular events in the Sydney calendar, with almost 2.5 million people enjoying the spectacle last year.
The Vivid Sydney 2025 official event program looks very impressive, and yet again the bar has been raised with an impressive line-up of speakers, musicians, performers and artists taking part, as well dining experiences to indulge in.
For those who have not experienced this spectacle before, it is worth noting that while the outdoor light component of the festival is all free to enjoy, many events in the music, ideas, and food strands of the Vivid Sydney 2025 program do have a cost, so you will need to to book tickets to avoid missing out.
The good news is that there are also several free events this year, but some require you to register in advance as they have limited spots available. See the Vivid Sydney site for more information.
And before you explore the festival, be sure to enjoy dinner by the harbour as the sun sets. There are many quality options such as the iconic Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera House, and restaurants Aria, Cafe Sydney, and Quay (bookings are recommended at restaurants given the popularity of Vivid Sydney).
“Vivid Light transforms Sydney into a wonderland of ‘light art’ sculptures, innovative light installations and grand-scale projections for all to enjoy – for free. It is a magical celebration of light-design excellence and the world’s largest outdoor ‘art gallery’: a unique Vivid Sydney experience.”
If you are visiting Sydney during the festival, or you are an agent sending clients our way, there are a few local tips to keep in mind to help you enjoy the event.
1. Our most important tip is that this is a very popular event and can be very crowded at times, with lots of families enjoying the spectacle. So if you don’t like big crowds, avoid going on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night, (and public holiday Monday, June 9), and go during the week instead. At this time of year, the sun is fully set by about 5pm so you can get out and enjoy the festival early, with the city lighting up from 6pm nightly.
2. Vivid Sydney is an all-weather event (although adverse weather conditions may at times restrict which areas are operational), so if you’re exploring the outdoor light installations, be sure to carry an umbrella and poncho-up in case of rain. If you are visiting from the Northern Hemisphere, remember that it is late autumn/early winter when the festival is on, so it can be a little cold out after the sun goes down. And with much of the action taking place around Sydney Harbour, it may get a little breezy, so bring along a jacket too.
3. Be sure to check the Vivid Sydney site to see the full program (an app is currently available), so that you can be sure to see all of the areas that are covered in the free Vivid Light Walk. Many visitors just walk around the harbour without realising that the event continues more extensively throughout other parts of the city. This year, locations include Circular Quay, The Rocks, CBD, Darling Harbour, Martin Place, Barangaroo, and the harbour itself. And of course, our world-famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
4. Make sure you pre-book tickets to see some performances, hear some music or enjoy one of the many event speakers. Tickets are limited for many of the performances and speakers, so be sure to book early to avoid missing out.
5. If you are a serious or budding photographer, then make sure you either bring a tripod or rent one when you arrive. There are great opportunities for long-shutter speed photos, and having a tripod will open up a whole new world of possible shots. You might want to have a read of our night photography post to discover some great local vantage points where you’ll have the best chance of taking some amazing shots.
We can tailor an after-dark tour with a local photographer if you want to improve your skills or would like a unique photo shoot while you are in town.
And if you’re looking into accommodation for your trip, see our post on Sydney hotels for some insider advice.
Vivid Sydney is a fabulous event and if you are lucky enough to be in Sydney during the festival, be sure to get out there and enjoy it. As local Sydney Tour Guides, we are also available to deliver fully-tailored Sydney private tours during your Sydney holiday. So get in touch to find out how we can help you make some truly ‘vivid’ memories of your stay in our sparkling city.
See you in Sydney soon,
The YSG Team.
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