Vivid Sydney, Australia’s largest event, will return to transform the Harbour City in 2025, running from May 23 to June 14. With the theme Dream, it explores the question, “What’s in a dream?” during this year’s celebration.
For its 15th year, the festival footprint has been redesigned to include five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and the CBD (for the first time since 2018), Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and Inner City. Each connected zone will showcase events from the festival’s four pillars: Light, Ideas, Food, and Music.
Vivid Sydney will highlight Sydney’s creative pulse with exclusive collaborations featuring the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sydney Film Festival, and cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, Bangarra Dance Theatre, City Recital Hall, State Library of NSW, and Sydney Theatre Company.
Vivid Light will showcase exclusive commissions, including David McDiarmid’s Kiss of Light on the Opera House, Vincent Namatjira’s King Dingo on the MCA, and House of Romance at Customs House. Interactive installations along the Vivid Light Walk will feature 3D projections, voice-activated animations, and more. Attendees can also design their own projections, with 150 entries featured weekly on the ASN Co. Building’s Clock Tower in The Rocks.
This year, the entire Vivid Light Walk is free for all to enjoy, with new landmarks such as the Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo, and Challis House in Martin Place, alongside returning sites like the Argyle Cut and CTA Building.
Vivid Ideas will feature D W Pine’s keynote and Matthew Walker’s talk on sleep. Free events include the Firetalk series and Endling by Legs On The Wall. Stranger Things: The Experience will debut at Luna Park Sydney.
Vivid Food will feature Nigella Lawson curating exclusive dinners at Muru Giligu in Martin Place, with light, sound, and NSW produce. Favourites like Vivid Fire Kitchen return to The Goods Line, while the Vivid Chef Series pairs top chefs with Sydney’s best dining. Maryanne Street transforms into the Spice Lounge, and Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter hosts exclusive gigs, food trails, and street parties, all supported by the Transport for NSW Open Streets Program.
Vivid Music celebrates collective dreams through sound and song, featuring a curated line-up of global artists, special events, interactive experiences, and exclusive performances.
Tumbalong Nights at Darling Harbour will feature music from diaspora and First Nations artists, including Winston Surfshirt, Ayesha Madon, and Dobet Gnahoré. Oxford Art Factory hosts Pete & Bas, and Vivid Supper Club offers contemporary cabaret. Vivid LIVE at the Opera House features over 50 artists, including Anohni, Sigur Rós with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Japanese Breakfast.
At Carriageworks, Mall Grab, Ngaiire, and Skegss will perform, alongside the return of the legendary Night Market featuring Sydney’s top bars and restaurants.
Tickets are now available on the website.
For more information, visit Vivid Sydney.
