Vivid Sydney Guide 2025: Dates, maps and things to do

Vivid Sydney returns from 23 May to 14 June 2025 and will be brighter than ever before.

Expect 22 mammoth nights of ✨ light displays, 🎵 live music💡 inspiring talks and 😋 Vivid-inspired food.

Then, let's not forget the extra stuff such as unique experiences and harbour cruises.

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Vivid light displays: What is planned for 2026?

1. The Rocks
2. Circular Quay
3. Sydney CBD
4. Walsh Bay
5. Barangaroo
6. Darling Harbour
7. Pyrmont
8. North Sydney

Getting into Sydney: Best flights

If you currently live in another state or territory, May-June is a great time to fly into Sydney. In addition to experiencing the wonders of Vivid, you can also score cheaper accommodation and flights compared to the summer months.

Here are the cheapest flights into Sydney from each major airport:

• Adelaide Airport (ADL): Check flight prices with Virgin
• Canberra Airport (CBR): Check flight prices with Virgin
• Gold Coast Airport (OOL): Check flight prices with Virgin

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Admission

Experience Oz

• Colour The City: Vivid Sydney's Colour The City transforms the ASN Clock Tower into a dazzling, interactive canvas where the community's creativity takes center stage—participants can submit their own vibrant designs to be projected onto the building, celebrating artistic expression and unity. 23 May - 14 June, ASN Clock Tower The Rocks.
• King Dingo. Vivid Sydney's King Dingo is a striking projection by Vincent Namatjira, showcasing a regal dingo as a symbol of Indigenous strength, humor, and cultural reclamation on the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. 23 May - 14 June, Museum of Contemporary Art Circular Quay.
• Kickit Team Tennis: Transforms the traditional game into a dazzling spectacle, where players volley a streaking pulse of light across an orb-studded court at Darling Quarter Village Green. 23 May - 14 June, Darling Quarter Village Green
• SomniUs: A mesmerizing, interactive installation at Stargazer Lawn, where a canopy of a thousand light rods ripples with waves of color and sound, responding dynamically to every movement beneath it. 23 May - 14 June, Stargazer Lawn.
• The Cloud Swing: A whimsical, illuminated installation at Darling Quarter Village Green, where glowing cloud-like structures respond to movement, bursting into vibrant colors as visitors swing beneath them.
• Drawn in Light: A mesmerizing kinetic installation by Ralf Westerhof, where delicate, hand-drawn objects transform into a floating chandelier, swaying gently in the breeze like a dream sketched in mid-air. Darling Harbour.

Lightscape: Is it worth it?

There was a lot of chatter last year about Lightscape at The Royal Botanic Garden. It marked the first time this precinct required payment to enter: $38 for adults and $128 for families of 4. Is the cost worth the experience?

Finder's former travel editor Stephanie Yip went in 2024 this is what she thought.

With a toddler this made for a relaxing Vivid night-out.

As for the price-tag? Considering the exhibit was free in previous years it's a hard pill to swallow.

To its credit it does feel as though there are more installations than usual, and they are to a larger scale. Then there's the musical curation, which is absolutely flawless.

It truly is a VIP and stress-free way to enjoy Vivid, particularly considering how crowded the event has become. If that's worth $40 to you, go for it.

Personally, I feel the cost is too steep when you consider you can hop on a cruise for $25.

Stephanie Yip attended Lightscape as a guest of Vivid Sydney.

Vivid Sydney map: Where are these precincts?

Vivid Sydney Light Walk and transport hub map

There are stacks of events and experiences from cruises and helicopter rides to feasts and tower walks so you can experience Vivid from a new perspective.

Our picks of things to do during Vivid 2026

Vivid Sydney Sightseeing Cruise

Experience Oz

Vivid Dinner Cruise - 90 Minutes

RedBalloon

Vivid Sydney Haunted Ghost Tour

Experience Oz

Vivid Sydney Harbour BYO Catamaran Cruise

RedBalloon

Vivid Sydney Jet Boating Cruise

Experience Oz

Vivid Sydney Cruise and Romantic Overnight Yacht Stay

RedBalloon

Vivid Sydney Night Photography Workshop - 3 Hours

Experience Oz

Sydney Harbour City Lights Night Kayak Tour

Experience Oz

Vivid Ideas

Creators, public figures and industry leaders are booked to discuss ideas that matter during the Vivid Sydney festival.

To date 60 talks and workshops have been scheduled featuring a rich assortment of artists, musicians and thought leaders. This year, the programme will explore human and physical nature.

• Public speaking course. This course will involve a deep dive into how you can present more effectively through simple yet powerful changes to your body language covering topics like speechwriting fundamentals, tips for thinking quickly on your feet and how to handle nerves.

More workshops and events to come. Bookings can be made via the Vivid Sydney website.

Vivid Music

Over 31 live shows are set to reach our ears for Vivid Sydney 2026.

Under Vivid Music is the original Vivid Live series. This is centred around the Sydney Opera House and is packed with stars including G2g, SOLSA, Warren Ellis, Beth Gibbons, ANOHNI and the Johnsons, The Sabres of Paradise. All tickets can be purchased through Ticketek.

The wider Vivid Music explores Sydney, cropping everywhere, including Circular Quay, The Goods Line and Timbalong Park. Events can be ticketed or free.

• Sigur Rós with Sydney Symphony Orchestra
• Studio Party by DUNJ
• 3%
• Mount Kimbie
• Station Model Violence
• WavyLand 7th Anniversary feat BKTHERULA, Slauson Malone 1, Wiki, Posseshot
• Marlon Williams
• G2g
• Pale Jay
• Studio Party by Barney Kato
• Studio Party by House of Mince
• Jessica Pratt
• Phoebe Go
• The Sabres of Paradise
• Surprise Chef

• SAHXL
• Ichiko Aoba
• Yasmina Sadiki
• ANOHNI and the Johnsons
• Beth Gibbons
• Velvet Trip
• Ezra Collective
• Studio Party by Mad Racket
• Ravyn Lenae
• Miss Kaninna
• Japanese Breakfast
• Studio Party Trackwork 5th Birthday
• Pat Metheny
• Emily Wurramara
• WavyLand 7th Anniversary feat Thaiboy Digital, Oil XL

Carriageworks:

• Mall Grab
• DIIV
• Black Star
• Echoes of the Block: A Live & Local Blak Hip Hop Collaboration
• Skegss
• moktar
• Pure Space & Butter Sessions: Andy Garvey & Sleep D + Guests
• Ngaiire: PAIA
• Kamasi Washington

Mary's Underground:

• Tamworth to Tennessee: A Night of Cool Country
• Aus Music Countdown
• Open Mic! with Tom Cardy and Alex Lee
• Broadway's Best with Mark Humphries

• The Pink Pony Supper Club
• A Night at the Oscars
• Celebrating Eurovision
• First Light: Live

Tumbalong Park:

• MonoNeon + Manfredo Lament
• Zaeden
• Charley + Ayesha Madon
• Stella Jang + Ivoris
• PASIFIX
• Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park
• Gabriele Poso + GabzaK
• Winston Surfshirt + Jerome Blazé
• Pania + Devaura
• Body Type + Ripple Effect Band

• Dobet Gnahore + Immy Owusu
• NextGen: V-Pop - Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê
• Vivid Sings!
• Adrian Eagle + Jada Weazel

Martin Place and CBD:

• An Evening with Warren Ellis
• Sound Walk
• Sound Escape
• My Sis: Celebrating 10 years of Bad Apples Music
• Sounds of Afrobeats: After Dark ft DJ Obi + DJAMES + DJ Tshegu
• 10 Years of NLV Records
• Soccer Mommy
• Divide and Dissolve
• Tangerine Dream
• Sidney Phillips

• SOLSA
• Pete & Bas

Butter Beats & Eats:

• Hollywood Dreaming: YAWDOESITALL
• Hollywood Dreaming: Left Feels

Vivid Sydney food

A visit to one of Australia's acclaimed festivals requires a pit stop for dining. On the plus side there's a plethora of top-notch restaurants, cafes and food trucks that pave the Vivid pathway.

Some even offer special Vivid menus and deals to make the journey that much brighter.

• Vivid Fire Kitchen: Ignites The Goods Line with a fiery fusion of global flavors, where top pitmasters and chefs serve up flame-seared delights alongside live demonstrations and immersive fire-lit festivities.
• Dreamscapes at Aster: An elevated dining experience at InterContinental Sydney's rooftop bar, where guests indulge in dream-inspired tasting journeys—Sweet, Spicy, or Adventurous—while overlooking the dazzling festival lights.
• Dreams On A Plate: A heartfelt dining experience celebrating the culinary talents of migrant and refugee women, where guests enjoy a six-course meal infused with personal stories of resilience, culture, and migration.
• Tyrrell's: A Journey Through History: An exclusive dining experience at NSW Parliament House, where fourth-generation winemaker Bruce Tyrrell pairs a meticulously curated five-course menu with iconic Hunter Valley wines, celebrating tradition, innovation, and storytelling through food and wine.
• Neon Dreams: A retro-futuristic roller disco diner at Pier Street underpass, where guests glide to vinyl-only beats, savor bold plant-based American flavors by Shannon Martinez, and sip foraged botanical cocktails in an airline-themed fantasy.

Where to stay during Vivid Sydney

Avoid the madness of Sydney transport and make the CBD your home base. There are some beautiful hotels in the city that usually have some great views of the lights too. Some, for example the Novotel Sydney Central is having a VIVID-themed package deal which includes a bottle of wine for the adults and soft drinks and glow sticks for the kids. Psst – it even has an illuminated ball pit in the lobby.

Novotel Sydney Central

Novotel

The Sebel Sydney Martin Place

Luxury Escapes

Shangri-La Sydney

Luxury Escapes

Vibe Hotel Sydney

Luxury Escapes

Kimpton Margot Sydney

Luxury Escapes

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel

Park Hyatt Sydney

Luxury Escapes

Sydney Harbour Marriott

Luxury Escapes

Pier One Sydney Harbour

Luxury Escapes

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour

Luxury Escapes

Four Seasons Sydney

Luxury Escapes

InterContinental Sydney

Luxury Escapes

Hot tips to avoid the crowds and save money

• Visit early on Mondays and Tuesdays: As they're working days they tend to be the quietest and there's a greater chance you'll have that installation all to yourself.
• Avoid the weekends, including Friday night: They're the peak days and are often swamped with the after-work crowds, families and visitors.
• Bring your own food: While the call of neon-lit specials is high, the price tag is also. Budget-savvy Vivid visitors can bring their own food to the festival.
• Catch the free events: The light installations aren't the only freebies going around. There are stacks of ideas and music events strewn throughout the city that are free to attend. Tumbalong Park in particular is hosting Vivid nights throughout the show.
• Spending the night? It's easy to have a Vivid staycation on a budget.

Is Vivid Sydney free?

Yes, Vivid Sydney's displays are completely free to access. However, events such as Vivid Live performances, Vivid Ideas talks and Lightscape at the Royal Botanic Gardens are paid events. Extra experiences such as cruises and bridge climbs require an admission fee, too.

Can I get a refund?

No. Refunds are not available for purchased events.

Where is Vivid Sydney?

Vivid Sydney can be found in various precincts and locations across Sydney CBD. These are:

• The Rocks
• Circular Quay
• Sydney CBD
• Walsh Bay
• Barangaroo
• Darling Harbour
• Pyrmont
• North Sydney

What time does Vivid start?

The Vivid Sydney light displays turn on at 6pm each night during the festival and are turned off at midnight.

How long does Vivid last?

The festival runs for 22 days.

How does Vivid Sydney work?

Vivid Sydney is a free outdoor event held throughout the Sydney CBD. Essentially it's a giant open-air gallery. You can wander around and check out light-based displays and illuminations created by a range of artists between 6pm and midnight, when lights turn off.

There are guides available. Each attraction is signposted and explains what it is you're looking at and who created it.

Are there many road closures during Vivid?

Many roads leading towards Circular Quay and The Rocks will be closed or restricted during the event. Given those limitations and the road closures throughout the city, it's recommended to take public transport. There will be increased services available during the event and the ferries will be illuminated each night from 6pm.

Can I do a Vivid Sydney Harbour Bridge climb?

Yes. The twilight and night-time bridge climbs are available during Vivid.

Do you have any tips on how to photograph Vivid?

If night photography isn't your forte, it pays to read some online guides prior to attending the event. Unless you are taking photos in the distance, we would steer clear of night modes on your phone - the lights from the show will provide plenty of natural illumination.

Where should I park?

These are the closest parking lots to the attractions. However, public transport is advised as select roads close due to the event.

For Darling Harbour and Barangaroo access:

• Secure Parking Hilton Sydney Car Park
• Secure Parking Kent Street
• Wilson Parking on Sussex Street
• Wilson Parking on Kent Street
• Secure Parking – Allianz Centre Car Park
• Secure Parking on Shelley Street
• Divvy Parking on Shelley Street

For Circular Quay access:

• Divvy Parking on Macquarie Street
• Wilson Parking 37 Pitt Street
• Secure Parking – Aurora Place Car Park
• Wilson Parking George Street
• Secure Parking – 20 Bond Street Car Park
• Wilson Parking Quay West

Are drones allowed?

This year, Vivid Sydney will not feature drone shows. Following advice from NSW Police and Transport for NSW, it was determined that the Vivid Sydney drone shows cannot be staged safely as per last year's format.

The changes required to mitigate the safety risk at Vivid Sydney 2025 created a significant increase in cost. As a result, we've made the decision to focus on other exciting elements of the festival.

In 2025, we're excited to bring you a diverse and innovative program of Light, Music, Ideas, and Food, with something for everyone to enjoy across the 23-day festival. All of this will be inspired by the theme 'Dream'.

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