Image: Destination NSW
While Sydney is often celebrated for its endless blue skies and golden beaches, it’s under the cover of night that the city truly comes alive during Vivid Sydney. Returning in 2025 to mark its 15th anniversary, the festival inaugurates the city’s mid-year cultural calendar with its most expansive multidisciplinary program to date.
This year’s edition seeks to take over all your senses — from transformative video projections, interactive light installations, live music, thought-provoking panel discussions, and, for the first time, a series of food events from internationally acclaimed chefs. All these elements converge to explore ideas around the theme ‘Dream’.
Held every year over three weeks from late May to mid-June — don’t miss this opportunity to explore a different side of the city from many Vivid Sydney locations. Join your friends and family, camera in hand, and watch the Sydney Opera House, among other vantage points, light up in a dazzling display of lights, colour, and music.
The Vivid Sydney Light Festival is an annual winter arts program offering a long schedule of light, music and food events exploring the interplay of technology and human imagination. Since it started in 2009 as a light show, it has grown into the largest festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere, winning several awards and attracting millions of local, interstate and international visitors.
Each year, Vivid explores a different theme that underscores its program of events and experiences. In 2025, the festival investigates the theme ‘Dream’, inviting participants to step out of the box, try new experiences and consider new ways of interpreting things around them.
Vivid is held annually during the cooler months, this year it is from Friday, May 23rd, to Saturday, June 14th, illuminating the city for 23 spectacular nights. At 6 p.m., when the sun sets the light installations are switched on and the harbour city awakens, giving you hours to stroll through the Vivid Light Walk. Most precincts turn off their displays at 11 p.m., while many ticketed and music events continue late into the night.
Having grown in popularity, by now, it’s hard to find a place that isn’t cast under the festival’s glow — where city streets, iconic buildings, and public spaces are reimagined, becoming canvases to stage enigmatic light and sound exhibitions. It’s part of the magic of the Vivid Sydney Light Festival, where a casual walk or commute from offices turns everyday activities into enigmatic experiences.
There are various Vivid Sydney locations to discover light and soundscapes, with most displays centred around several key precincts, including:
With locations spread across the city, you can take the opportunity to design your itinerary and experience Vivid your way. Whether you choose to see your favourite Vivid Sydney locations in a single evening or tour each precinct separately over a few nights — you can comfortably explore the Vivid Light Walk at your own pace.
With such an expansive roster of events, the festival has almost become four smaller festivals in one: Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food. Wondering what attractions are a ‘must-see’ and should be at the top of your list? Here are our top picks:
Iconic Australian fashion label Romance Was Born celebrates its 20th anniversary, making its Vivid debut. Showcasing their iconic designs and collaborations with other Australian creatives, like Jenny Kee and Ken Done, you’ll be spoilt with one of the most eclectic projected displays of the festival — think, Iced Vovo-inspired frocks and rainbow crochet collages reminiscent of your nanna’s blankets. Shown all festival long at Customs House, one of the easiest Vivid Sydney locations to get to, means there is no excuse not to see this display.
Part light installation and part kinetic art sculpture, SomniUs is a conceptual piece that makes you part of the artwork. Raised high above the ground, thousands of illuminated rods make sounds and move in response to your actions. Experiment with short, quick actions or make long movements with a group of people to create a performance where you’re the conductor and actor.
The Elysian Collection features a whimsical display of curved and warped columns, making you question whether you’re in Ancient Greece or Vivid Sydney. Its playful design and large-scale size invite you to wander around its iridescent form, making you feel like you’re dreaming.
Described as one of Australia’s most influential DJs and producers, Mall Grab returns for his largest headlining show, hot on the eve of releasing his second album. Famous for fusing various music genres into his signature electronic sounds, this gig will keep you dancing all night.
For over 25 years, Barney Keto has become a pillar of Sydney’s underground music scene, blending an eclectic and electrifying mix of breakbeat, techno, acid and electro music. From playing in several clubs and festivals to having the honour of performing at the Sydney Boiler Room and now the grand halls of the Opera House, you’ll be set for an ecstatic night of music and dancing where you could feel anything could happen.
You fell in love with the show — now it’s your turn to help Eleven save Hawkins from the terrors of the Upside Down. An event where the whole family can get involved — Stranger Things: The Experience is a fully interactive adventure that transports you to Hawkins to battle it out in various scenes made famous by the show. You won’t want to miss out after a sell-out run in the US and Europe — buy your tickets now and join one of the most fantastical events at the Vivid Sydney Light Festival.
You had your eyes opened seeing the huge creativity on display across the many light sculptures — now it’s time to open your mind with this lecture series. TIME magazine’s Creative Director, D.W. Pine, takes you through his creative process, explaining how he ideates thought-provoking cover designs featuring the cultural zeitgeist and messages that challenge his reader’s ideals.
How would you describe Australian cuisine? Find out for yourself through a four-course meal led by Indigenous Elder Aunty Beryl (OAM), showcasing native ingredients and a menu that reflects concepts of Country.
Now is your chance if you’ve ever dreamt about having dinner in the clouds. In an exclusive setting limited to 20 diners, join acclaimed chef Luke Mangan for dinner in a unique setting 87 metres from the ground. With views across the entire harbour and Vivid Sydney’s light displays, you can savour seasonal and locally sourced NSW ingredients over a three-course meal and perfectly paired wines. Please note that there is no elevator, and diners will need to climb 200 steps to the venue.
75% of the festival’s program is entirely free. Some events are ticketed and paid.
Sydney’s Vivid Festival runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., 23 May to 14 June. Some ticketed and music events may finish late in the night.
Yes — Vivid Sydney is family-friendly, with many installations and events suitable for all ages.
Dogs are welcome to join you along the Vivid Light Walk and many events held in public areas. However, Vivid is an extremely popular event, so you’ll need to be sure your dog is on a leash and responds well to large crowds and noise. Some events held in private venues may restrict access to assistance dogs.
As they say in show business, the show must go on! If there is a chance of rain, don’t forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat.
The Vivid Sydney Light Festival is incredibly popular — in 2024, over 2.4 million people visited. The busiest times are Friday nights, weekends and public holidays. Weeknights are generally quieter if you prefer to take a more leisurely pace and avoid crowds.
Vivid Sydney takes place in late autumn to early winter (May–June), when evenings in the city can be cool and occasionally wet. It’s best to dress in warm layers that can also shield you from the wind. For additional comfort, we suggest avoiding bulky bags and wearing walking shoes that will cushion your feet throughout the Vivid Light Walk or while attending one of the many live music events.
Yes, Vivid Sydney is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for visitors of all abilities. Many precincts feature step-free and flat surfaces, making them easily accessible with wheelchairs, walking aids, and strollers. Please note that some venues may have limited accessibility options — you can check their availability via the interactive map on the Vivid website.
With extra train and bus services scheduled on weekends, road closures, and parking restrictions in place, public transport is the easiest and most efficient way to reach the festival and move between Vivid Sydney locations. Plan ahead by visiting the Transport NSW website for help planning your trip and the latest information on trains, metro, buses, and ferry services.
If you want to get the most out of your Vivid Sydney experience, organising hotel accommodation close to the major precincts will enable you to enjoy the best that Vivid offers. Staying for several nights allows you to visit the various precincts at your own pace, attend events and explore Sydney beyond the festival.
For the best hotels near Vivid Sydney, few options compare to a Meriton Suites hotel. Each location is primely located and within walking distance of Vivid’s major precincts, enabling you to easily join the festivities. Whether visiting for a weekend or a week, a stay at any of our Meriton Suites hotels offers you and your guests access to exclusive amenities to enhance your stay, including:
If you want to see as much of the festival as possible, Meriton Suites Kent Street is the best hotel near Vivid Sydney’s prime precincts. Within a five-minute walk, you can see various light installations around Darling Harbour, The Goods Line, Martin Place and the CBD. Or take a 5-minute light rail trip from nearby George Street and continue your Vivid experience at Barangaroo, Circular Quay and The Rocks.
Nestled in the heart of the CBD near Hyde Park and Town Hall Station, Meriton Suites Pitt Street offers unrivalled access to Sydney’s retail, dining, and cultural precincts. Its central location makes walking to the Vivid Light Festival effortless — just keep an eye out for light sculptures in hidden corners.
If you’re looking for deluxe hotel accommodation that puts you close to all the action — Meriton Suites Sussex Street has it all. With access to Darling Harbour through to Circular Quay, you can attempt to follow the entire route of the Vivid Light Walk through all five major precincts.
Towering above the CBD, Meriton Suites World Tower offers a premium stay with panoramic views of the city skyline and Darling Harbour. With world-class amenities and easy access to dining and transport at your doorstep, it’s an ideal base for taking in the sights and sounds of Vivid.
Located in the heart of Haymarket, near the Capitol Theatre and Chinatown, Meriton Suites Campbell Street places you in the cultural epicentre of Sydney. Just a 5-minute walk to The Goods Line precinct, you can start the Light Walk with one of the most eccentric designs. Inspired by Salvatore Dali, Sinclair Park’s surrealist “Eye of the Beholder” installation is projected on the Frank Gehry-designed UTS building. Continue on the path before looping around to see the many light sculptures around Darling Harbour.
Whether you’re drawn to projections adding dazzling colours to iconic harbour buildings, attending thought-provoking talks, or simply wandering through illuminated streetscapes, your hotel accommodation sets the tone for your festival experience. If you’re looking for where to stay for Vivid Sydney, you cannot go past Meriton Suites. With convenient locations and premium amenities, you can enjoy an ideal escape for a weekend, one week or more. Book your stay directly for the best rate.
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