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Each year as the days get shorter, Sydney switches on. Vivid Sydney returns in 2025 with a 23-night explosion of light, sound, and imagination. From May 23 to June 14, the city’s harbour, skyline, and cultural precincts morph into a glowing dreamscape, celebrating its 15th anniversary with more spectacle than ever before. This year’s theme, Dream, invites you to step into an electrified reality, where art and technology merge beneath a canopy of stars and LEDs.
The action stretches across five dynamic zones, from Central Station all the way to Circular Quay, making the Light Walk longer and more immersive than ever. Along this glowing corridor, you’ll encounter everything from 3D light installations at Barangaroo to surreal projection art at Customs House and the Sydney Opera House. The Lighting of the Sails, a perennial favourite, kicks off the show with David McDiarmid’s Kiss of Light—a bold tribute to queer joy, painted in neon fractals.
At The Rocks, interactive storytelling invites you to contribute your own art, while the ASN Clock Tower becomes a canvas for community creativity. In Haymarket, the Starscape Tunnel offers 40 metres of celestial sparkle, and the Bon(d)fire at Barangaroo ignites the sky with flame and memory. Whether you're watching Indigenous art blaze across the MCA, wandering through light-drenched laneways, or basking in the glow of the Harbour Bridge, every moment of Vivid is designed to awaken your sense of wonder.
Where to Eat During Vivid 2025
Food at Vivid Sydney is more than fuel—it’s an experience. The Goods Line is your go-to for global fire-cooked fare, where pitmasters from around the world serve up brisket, sausages, native Australian ingredients, and teppanyaki. The smoky scent of open flames and sizzling meat weaves through the light displays, heightening the festival’s multisensory appeal.
Looking for a dining experience with more polish? Book a table at Atelier by Sofitel for hatted cuisine and front-row views of the harbour light show. Q Dining at Pullman Quay Grand offers a quieter, refined option, with unrivalled views of the Harbour Bridge and masterfully crafted cocktails upstairs at Hacienda Sydney.
If you’re after something quirky and unforgettable, Mary’s Underground comes alive every Thursday and Friday with the Vivid Sydney Supper Club. Expect unexpected musical pairings, celebrity cabaret, and late-night eats. And for something truly special, Saltbush and Starlight Dining at the Opera House delivers First Nations-inspired fine dining in an intimate setting, lit by a bespoke art installation.
What to Do for Free at Vivid 2025
Good news for festival-goers on a budget—more than 75 per cent of the Vivid Sydney program is completely free. Let the kids loose on the inflatable playground at Tumbalong Park’s Elysian Collection or engage in a light-based tennis match at Darling Quarter with Kickit Team Tennis. The British red phone booth installation, Telephone, invites visitors to leave messages that could be broadcast throughout the festival.
Tumbalong Nights features a rich line-up of live music and DJs from around the world. Hear the Afro-Latin beats of Gabriele Poso, groove to the psychedelic soul of Winston Surfshirt, and catch Dobet Gnahoré’s Grammy-winning voice in a rare Australian appearance. Family-friendly programming includes children’s performances every Saturday from 5pm.
Art lovers will enjoy extended evening hours at the Art Gallery of NSW, which aligns with the 2025 Archibald Prize. Meanwhile, Martin Place becomes an open-air cinema for the Sydney Film Festival, showcasing acclaimed short films from June 4–15. Don’t miss Firetalk, a storytelling series hosted by Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money, under the glow of the Bon(d)fire.
Book Your Stay Now
Accommodation during Vivid Sydney can book out fast, so plan ahead. Choose locations near Circular Quay or Darling Harbour for easy access to the Light Walk and main attractions. Many hotels offer Vivid-themed packages including rooftop views, early check-ins, and curated dining events, so it’s worth checking in with your preferred hotel now.
Plan Your Visit
To make the most of Vivid Sydney 2025, wear comfortable shoes, plan your route, and leave room for spontaneous discovery. The entire Light Walk is free, so you can revisit your favourite installations or explore new ones each night. With so many ways to experience light, music, ideas, and food, one visit is rarely enough.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning fan, Vivid Sydney 2025 is your chance to step into a city reborn by light—dreamlike, electrifying, and entirely unforgettable.
For more information and updates, visit: https://www.vividsydney.com
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