Why You Should Experience Vivid Sydney At Least Once

Every year, Sydneysiders look forward to one of the most mind-blowing events on the calendar, an event so bright that it lights up the whole city - literally! That’s right! We’re talking about Vivid Sydney, the biggest festival of lights in the Southern Hemisphere, but it doesn’t stop there. The festival is not just about the illuminated artworks and 3D-mapped projections, but of invigorating workshops, world-changing ideas, and electrifying music.

Here is why you should experience this festival of lights, music, and ideas at least once in your lifetime!

New! Vivid Food!

The 2023 edition of the festival has announced there's gonna be a 4th new pillar to the event – Vivid food. Food has always played an integral part in the festival over the years, and it’s about time they realised that it is the ultimate compliment to the Light, Music, and Ideas program. Home to a diverse culinary scene, Sydney is proud to have world-class chefs, unique restaurants, venues, and multicultural cuisines – it’s all about celebrating those that make your food scene all the more special.

Vivid Light

The title of ‘City of Light’ may belong to Paris, but the ‘Lights’ section of the festival makes you think otherwise. The city will see heaps of colourful artworks, sculptures, vibrant projections – transforming everything from its nooks and crannies to the Central Business District  into an animated canvas of surreal visuals. 

But all the spotlight falls on Australia’s famous landmark, our very own Opera House. The sails of this Aussie icon comes to life with dynamic artworks and projections by artists from around the globe. Every year the festival has a new theme, and this theme takes shape on the sparkling sails of the Opera House. A tried and tested way of getting a good look at this highlight, along with other attractions is to board one of the top Vivid Sydney cruises.

The 2022 edition of the festival also met another milestone with the longest ever Light Walk - running uninterrupted with light art and projections, from the Opera House to Central Station.

Vivid Music

Renowned and upcoming artists from all over the world assemble at the NSW capital to deliver exhilarating performances throughout the festival. The stage? The whole city. Last year, free live events and shows popped up in the most unexpected places. The result? A whole new paradigm for the people in Sydney as they felt the pulse of the beats at the Grand Concourse, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line etc. 

The signature late-night joints in the city saw an incredible run of ticketed shows, which hosted everything from cabarets and drag shows, to stand-ups and underground shindigs.

The ‘Music’ segment of the festival brings all the hype with it because it offers a chance for us to see our favourite artists live. The concerts also manifest a sense of unity among the audience as they get to dance and sing to their favourite tunes under one roof, together with thousands of people from far and near.

Vivid Ideas

Perhaps the most overlooked part of the festival. The ‘Ideas’ program gathers some of the brightest minds and bravest souls to help connect us to a better future. We’re talking workshops, deep-dive discussions, heated debates, creative explorations, and eye-opening speeches. Over the years, the festival has worked its magic to bring us some of the famous names on the planet, including Baz Luhrmann, Troye Sivan, Gretchen Carlson etc. The main focus behind such thought-provoking talks is to enlighten us about everything that goes on beyond the mainstream line of media.

Hot tips

My best tip is to book all the ticketed events in advance – even the Vivid cruises, as they tend to get real busy during this time of the year. If you’re visiting Sydney for the festival, be sure to stay a few nights and explore everything, and don’t forget to pack your walking shoes.