Vivid Sydney 2025

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Fri 23 May 2025 - Sat 14 Jun 2025

A Bold New Dream Across Light, Music, Ideas & Food

Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology. 23 May - 14 June 2025 Transforming Sydney for 23 days and nights in 2025



returns to transform the Harbour City from Friday, 23 May to Saturday, 14 June, igniting Sydney 2019s creative pulse with a redesigned festival footprint and an ambitious program. This year 2019s theme 2014Dream 2014asks: What 2019s in a dream? Over 23 nights, Sydney will come alive with immersive light installations, world-class music, thought-provoking ideas, and bold culinary experiences.

Celebrating its 15th year, Vivid Sydney will introduce five newly connected zones:
- Circular Quay and The Rocks
- Barangaroo
- Martin Place and the CBD (returning for the first time since 2018)
- Darling Harbour
- The Goods Line and Inner City




Each zone showcases the full spectrum of Vivid 2019s creative pillars: Light, Music, Ideas, and Food.

Over 75% of Vivid 2019s program is free , and for the first time, the entire Vivid Light Walk is free for all visitors. The walk features over 40 installations, projections, and interactive experiences, with eight new buildings illuminated for the first time, including:
- Museum of Sydney
- The Bond at Barangaroo
- Challis House in Martin Place

Returning icons like the Argyle Cut and CTA Building also join the lineup.

Key light features include:
- Lighting of the Sails: *Kiss of Light* by David McDiarmid on the Sydney Opera House, brought to life by VANDAL Studio
- House of Romance: A dreamlike projection on Customs House from fashion label *Romance Was Born*
- King Dingo: Vincent Namatjira 2019s bold work projected on the Museum of Contemporary Art

Lighting of the Sails: Kiss of Light by David McDiarmid



Interactive light features include voice-activated animations, 3D projection self-portraits, and playful installations like seesaws and swings. Festivalgoers can even submit their designs to be projected on the ASN Co. Clock Tower in The Rocks.

Vivid Music: Global Sounds & Free Shows

Vivid Music 2025 spans an eclectic global lineup and free open-air concerts. Tumbalong Nights at Darling Harbour returns with 23 nights of music celebrating diaspora communities and First Nations artists, with Saturday family-friendly sets at 5 PM.

Tumbalong Nights Highlights :
- Winston Surfshirt 2013 Soul, funk & hip-hop
- M Anh & Chi X ea 2013 Vietnamese pop sensations
- Stella Jang 2013 Korean indie-pop icon
- Zaeden 2013 India 2019s rising electro-pop star
- Dobet Gnahor e9 2013 Grammy-winning Ivorian powerhouse

Other venues joining the music celebration:
- Metro Theatre (Bad Apples and NLV Records 10th Anniversary)
- City Recital Hall (Tangerine Dream, Soccer Mommy)
- Oxford Art Factory (Pete & Bas, Steel City Dance Discs)
- Carriageworks (Mall Grab, Ngaiire, Skegss + Night Market)

Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House features:
- Anohni and The Johnsons
- Beth Gibbons (Portishead)
- Sigur R f3s with Sydney Symphony Orchestra
- Japanese Breakfast, Ravyn Lenae, Marlon Williams, Miss Kaninna, and more.

Vivid Ideas : Thought Leaders & Interactive Exploration
Explore the ideas behind our dreams with a dynamic Vivid Ideas program:

Headliners include:
- D.W. Pine, Creative Director of TIME Magazine 2013 Where Do Ideas Come From?
- Professor Matthew Walker 2013 Why We Sleep

Free experiences :
- Firetalk 2013 First Nations storytelling every Wednesday at Barangaroo
- Endling 2013 Physical theatre from Legs on the Wall
- Art After Hours: Dreams 2013 Weekly creative deep dives at Art Gallery of NSW
- I Dream of Reality 2013 XR/VR immersion into alternate futures
- SFFTV 2013 Outdoor Sydney Film Festival screenings in Martin Place

Bonus: Stranger Things: The Experience debuts at Luna Park Sydney ** 2014an interactive adventure into 1986 Hawkins created by the show 2019s creators.

Vivid Food: Curated Culinary Dreams with Nigella Lawson
Vivid Food 2025 is bolder, spicier, and more immersive than ever.

Highlights include:
- Vivid Sydney Dinners curated by Nigella Lawson at Muru Giligu in Martin Place, pairing light, sound, and NSW 2019s finest produce
- Vivid Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line, with live-fire demos and global street food
- Spice Lounge at Maryanne Street 2013 a cozy fire-side retreat
- Hollywood Quarter Street Parties with The Soda Factory, Golden Age Cinema & Hollywood Hotel

Nigella Lawson shares, 201cThe magical time in Sydney is winter, during Vivid! Curating these dinners is a dream come true 2014there can never be too many fairy lights. 201d

Collaborations & Community

features partnerships with:
- Sydney Writers 2019 Festival
- Sydney Film Festival
- Bangarra Dance Theatre
- Art Gallery of NSW
- Australian Museum
- Sydney Theatre Company
- State Library of NSW

And is proudly supported by partners like Samsung (Cockle Bay installation Space to Dream ), Est e9e Lauder, Ausgrid, Airbnb (volunteer program), and Sydney Children 2019s Hospitals Foundation (charity partner).



Plan Your Visit

Dates: 23 May 2013 14 June 2025
Program + Tickets: https://www.vividsydney.com

Insider Tips to Beat the Crowds
-Go mid-week: Avoid weekend crowds by visiting Monday 2013Thursday.
-Break up the walk: Focus on one festival zone per night.
-Use the Metro: Fast, easy connections across all festival precincts.
-Layer up: Nights can get cold 2014bring a jacket and comfy shoes.

Colour The City
ASN Clock Tower | The Rocks | Colour the City by Mr.Beam Artist Details
Event Details: Paint our town red 2026 green, pink, blue, or whatever colour or pattern you dare to dream up! This interactive and community-made projection transforms the ASN Clock Tower into a canvas for us all.

%wnsydney

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#arts_culture
#outdoor
#family_friendly
#festivals
#nightlife