Vivid Sydney 2025: Everything You Need to Know (By A Local)
WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING HAPPENING FOR VIVID SYDNEY IN 2025? WE’VE GOT YOU!
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival, is back in 2025, celebrating 15 years of light, food, ideas, and music! We are pumped about this year’s Vivid Sydney theme, “Dream“, inspiring us to dream without limits and highlighting how dreams are a source of inspiration, connection, and innovation.
Through light, music, ideas, and food, Vivid Sydney 2025 aims to turn dreams into reality! Over the 23-day long festival, from 23 May to 14 June, Australia’s cultural capital will be covered in grand art installations, 3D light projections, and a sparkling atmosphere!
We have been to Vivid four times! So, if you are searching for the ultimate Vivid Sydney 2025 guide, highlights, and tips to make the most of the festival, you’ve come to the right place!
Wondering what VIVID Sydney looks like? Watch our reels from 2024 and 2023!
OUR TOP PICKS
While 75% of Vivid can be experienced for free this year, these are a few experiences that we have loved from the past seasons, and highly recommend booking in advance to get the dates you prefer!
🔥 EXCLUSIVE 10% OFF with “HATEXPLORESKLOOK” code
What is Vivid Sydney?
Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest and most spectacular festival of light, music, ideas, and food, transforming the city into a vibrant canvas! The festival takes place across iconic parts of the city: Circular Quay & The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbor, The Goods Line, CBD, and Martin Place (for the first time since 2018), each offering unique projections and immersive light walks.
Last year, around 2.3 million visitors experienced Vivid Sydney and the festival was awarded the Best Cultural, Arts, or Music Event at the Australian Event Awards!
The theme of this year is “Dream”, which invites visitors to explore the power of dreams through art, music, and ideas! We visit the festival every year, and could not be more excited for 2025!
Is Vivid Sydney Free?
While there is no free drone show this year, over 75% of Vivid Sydney 2025 is free! Some of the free events include the Light Walk across all regions, Tumbalong Nights (every Saturday at 5 pm), free gigs like Metri Air x Vivid Sydney across all locations (every Wednesday night), I Dream of Reality (a VR experience), Flower’s Power across Martin Place and Colour the City!
🌈COLOUR THE CITY
The ASN Clock Tower is transformed into a canvas this year, and we can all participate in this projection! Read more here and have your work displayed alongside the artwork by the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation!
What’s on at Vivid Sydney
A lot is on at Vivid Sydney in 2025! From Nigella Lawson’s handmade dinner to 1986 Hawkins-themed ideas, here is the complete list of events!
Vivid Sydney 2025: Light ✨
For 23 nights, starting at 6 pm sharp, all the projections and installations of Vivid Sydney 2025 will come to life! You will see the most iconic places in Sydney: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the city skyline glow as the sun sets! We highly recommend experiencing these:
1. Vivid Light Walk
The Vivid Light Walk is where you will see the festival’s lights and projections! A Light Walk is scheduled in all 5 locations chosen for 2025. The Light Walk showcases world-leading animation and projection technologies!
2. David McDiarmid’s “Kiss of Light”
📌Opera House
An artist, designer, and a voice for gays back in the 90s, David Mcdiarmids’ work encompasses the complex and interconnected histories of art, craft, fashion, music, sex, gay liberation, and identity politics, and on the 30th anniversary of his death, Vivid Syndey is bringing Lighting of Sails: Kiss of Light, a beautiful projection onto the Opera House showcasing the experiences of a repressed minority while embodying complex truths, absorbing fear and preserving memory.
You can see this 7-minute display every night at the Opera House and it costs to penny!
3. Vincent Namatjira’s “King Dingo”
📌Museum Of Contemporary Art
Vincent Namatjira’s King Dingo is a bold multimedia projection that challenges Australia’s colonial past and envisions a future of cultural reclamation! Using the dingo, a First Nations totem (animal), as a symbol of power! Accompanied by an original score by Jeremy Whiskey, this work fuses humor, striking imagery, and music to assert Aboriginal strength and unity.
King Dingo represents a timely and powerful message: this is Aboriginal land, we always have been and always will be! It speaks to Vivid Sydney’s 2025 theme, Dream, offering a vision of full recognition and respect for Aboriginal culture, a dream that Namatjira hopes will become reality for future generations!
4. Romance Was Born’s “House of Romance”
📌Customs House
Celebrate 20 years of Romance Was Born with House of Romance: Dreams Collide, their debut Vivid Sydney projection at Customs House! This engrossing experience showcases the duo’s creative journey, bringing to life iconic looks from their collections and collaborations with renowned Australian artists like Ken Done, Del Kathryn Barton, and Jenny Kee!
We are expecting vibrant colors, whimsical designs, and an unforgettable dreamscape with this one through the digital artistry by Supergiant and a custom soundtrack by Heckler Sound! House of Romance is a tribute to two decades of fearless creativity and imagination in Australian fashion!
Vivid Sydney 2025: 🥘Food
Here comes the part that we love the most: Vivid Food! The culinary scene here is the best and most diverse, we were on a mission to explore all the places last year, ha! Based on those and a few handy predictions, here are the highlights not to miss & places to eat in Vivid Sydney 2025:
5. Vivid Fire Kitchen
📌The Goods Line
If you are like us and love spicy, fiery food then we recommend visiting the Vivid Fire Kitchen market open on all 23 days (full line-up is yet to be announced)! It is returning this year with a ‘Fire and Spice’ menu! The market is free to attend, but, of course, you will have to pay for food! You can see world-class chefs cooking with flamethrowers and fire barrels, and experience the delicious aroma, fiery art, and live cooking demos given by them!
6. Dinner made by Nigella Lawson!
📌Muru Giligu Tunnel,1 Elizabeth St.
Join global food icon Nigella Lawson for an exclusive, unforgettable dining experience in the brand-new Muru Giligu Tunnel at Martin Place Metro. Over three special nights, enjoy a three-course feast hosted by Nigella herself, showcasing the best of NSW’s local produce and wines.
DIETARY CAUTION!
If you’re worried about allergies, or needing vegan or gluten-free options, don’t be. All dietary preferences will be carefully noted!
7. Carriageworks Night Market
📌Carriage Works, 245 Wilson Street
The Night Market is back and this time you’ll find the next generation of chefs from top restaurants and bars in Sydney, showcasing their culinary dreams on a plate or in a glass here! With fine wines, exquisite food, and soulful music, you’re all set for an exceptional dinner experience!
8. Refettorio OzHarvest’s Our Shared Dream
📌481 Crown Streets, Surry Hills
Are you someone who is passionate about food sustainability and reducing waste? Our Shared Dream, A World With Zero Waste, is an event you won’t want to miss! This series of seven special dinners in Sydney brings together top Australian chefs and OzHarvest to craft unique four-course menus using rescued NSW produce. For every ticket sold, a meal is provided to someone in need! Tickets cost around $110 per person.
Vivid Sydney 2025:🎙️ Music
Vivid Music at Darling Harbour was great last year, and we are expecting something even better this time! We highly recommend experiencing the following highlights of the festival!
9. Tumbalong Nights
📌Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
12 Tumbalong Nights are waiting with performances from artists around the world for you! This is a free experience taking place at Darling Harbour every Thursday to Saturday (+ Saturday, 9 June), and a live DJ spins his music the rest of the days! The performances start at 7.30 pm! Australian band Winston Surfshirt, Grammy-winner African artist Dobet Gnahore, and indie singer Zaeden are some of the featured artists!
LITTLE KIDS, BIG FUN!
Join Vivid Kids every Saturday at 5 pm for FREE, family-friendly shows at Tumbalong Park. Get ready for interactive performances that
will get kids dancing, laughing, and imagining!
24 MAY: PASIFIX
Celebrate Pacific Island culture with live music and a community performance.
31 MAY: Bennytime
Laugh and dance with Bennytime’s goofy tunes and playful energy.
7 JUNE: Whistle & Trick
ARIA-nominated duo bringing high-energy fun for kids and parents alike.
14 JUNE: Vegetable Plot
Funky, eco-conscious tunes that celebrate kindness and sustainability!
10. Tangerine Dream
📌 City Recital Hall 2, Angel Place
You won’t want to miss this! Tangerine Dream returns to Sydney after 40 years, performing live on 11th June! This one-of-a-kind performance will take you through their legendary discography, from their early experimental works to the iconic electronic melodies of their film scores, all brought to life in the incredible acoustics of City Recital Hall!
11. Japanese Breakfast
📌Sydney Opera House
Catch Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast) live at the Sydney Opera House on 3rd June for her Vivid LIVE debut! With a brand new album and Grammy-nominated hits, she’ll bring her dreamy pop and electronica to the stage!
Vivid Sydney 2025: 💭Ideas
This section of the festival includes all the mind-bending conversations you are going to share with speakers of great achievements and best communicators! The
12. Welcome to Hawkins!
📌Luna Park Sydney
Stranger Things: The Experience at Luna Park Sydney takes you into the world of Hawkins, 1986. Embark on an interactive adventure, explore iconic locations like Hawkins National Lab, and help Eleven confront the dangers of the Upside Down. After your mission, enjoy 80s fun at Mix-Tape.
13. Thought-Provoking Talks
The festival is starting off with First Light, a poignant First Nations celebration curated by Rhoda Roberts AO, honoring the traditions that shape our shared stories. From there, the festival takes you on a journey through the science of sleep and dreams with renowned neuroscientist Professor Matthew Walker, and into a world where visionary ideas take flight.
Step inside the creative brilliance behind TIME magazine’s most iconic covers, challenge your perspective with an exploration of the future, and experience thought-provoking panels and discussions that leave you rethinking what’s possible. Major speakers include TIME’s creative director D.W. Pine, Professor Matthew Walker, and comedian Tim Ross, who will delve into The Australian Dream.
FOR ALL THE BOOKWORMS:
Don’t miss out! Every Friday night during Vivid Sydney,
the State Library of NSW stays open late!
You can read, write, explore the heritage galleries,
or dive into puzzles and hands-on activities.
14. 🛳️Vivid Cruise!
The best way to experience Vivid Sydney 2025 is to beat the crowd and jump on a cruise to see the major light installations in Sydney Harbour! You can enjoy the sunset while having some of the best views of the city during Vivid!
We did this BYO Vivid Sydney Catamaran Cruise, which takes you to all the highlights and offers a much more relaxing way to experience Vivid Sydney, including areas like Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Opera House, and through the Harbour Bridge. They provide an esky for drinks and light refreshments too (cheese and fruit platter) – a value for money experience!
Best Places to Stay During Vivid Sydney
If you are not a local from Sydney, then you need this list of the best places to stay to see Vivid Sydney, the best way!
Credit: Destination NSW
- Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel is within walking distance of the Opera House, and we highly recommend staying here if your budget allows! You will be able to see the incredible light projections from here! It’s a premium stay having premium suites, two restaurants, a gym, a spa, and a bar!
- Mid-Luxury: W Sydney has 588 rooms, including 162 suites, and is packed with exciting amenities. Head up to the 29th floor and unwind at the 30-meter open-air infinity pool, where you can view the harbor and the dazzling Vivid Sydney light displays. The rooftop bar is the perfect spot to sip cocktails while enjoying Vivid Sydney!
- Mid-Range: Shangri-La Sydney is located in The Rocks and it has spacious rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, many having gorgeous views of the harbor and the Sydney Opera House!
- Budget: For a budget-friendly place to stay during Vivid Sydney, the Sydney Harbour YHA is in a prime spot in The Rocks, very close to the Circular Quay and all the Vivid action. The modern, affordable rooms have stunning views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The rooftop offers pretty views of the Vivid light displays!
Is Vivid Sydney Worth Visiting? Tips and More!
Of course! Vivid is one of the best times to visit Sydney to explore the beauty of this harbor city! We highly recommend exploring Vivid Sydney as much as you can! Here are a few ways in which you could make the most of it:
➡️ Explore one zone at a time: Don’t try to see everything at once—Vivid Sydney is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace! Focus on one zone per day or take your time exploring a single location over multiple evenings. For a smoother experience, visit on weekdays after work to avoid the weekend crowds.
➡️ Avoid weekends and/or start early: If you’re bringing little ones, weekdays are your best bet! Weekends get packed, with long queues for installations and events, which can be tiring and overwhelming for kids.
➡️ Pre-book, especially for free events: If there’s a ticketed event you’ve been eyeing, book it early before it sells out! Many free events also require pre-registration, so check the Vivid Sydney website in advance.
➡️ Use public transport: Road closures and traffic make parking in the city quite tricky! We recommend using public transport to get around the city and enjoy all the installations and experiences across a few days.
FAQs: Vivid Sydney 2025
We’ve touched on the main parts of the festival, but there are still a few questions we haven’t covered. We’ll go over them below.
When is Vivid Sydney 2025?
Vivid Sydney 2025 is a 23-day-long festival from May 23 to June 14 this year! As winter sets in, we recommend layering up to stay warm while you explore the dazzling lights and immersive experiences.
Where to Park for Vivid Sydney?
Parking during Vivid Sydney is extremely limited due to road closures and special event clearways across all five major precincts.
The festival is designed to be explored on foot, and with massive crowds, driving can be more hassle than it’s worth. To make your experience smoother (and cheaper!), we highly recommend using public transport instead!
When is the Vivid Sydney Drone Show in 2025?
Unfortunately, the drone show has been canceled for 2025 (mainly due to safety reasons)! Don’t lower your expectations though, there is a lot to look forward to in Vivid Sydney 2025!
Why is Vivid Sydney Celebrated?
Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest festival, celebrated for showcasing Sydney’s creativity, innovation, and technology. It positions Sydney as a global leader in artistic innovation! Perhaps, that’s why!
Wrap Up: Vivid Sydney 2025!
Now that you know what Vivid Sydney is all about, it’s about time you start planning your itinerary and experience Australia’s biggest event! Wondering how to save money during Vivid Sydney? Check these 10 BEST handy apps to save on food, drinks, and experiences!
