Vivid Sydney is back, transforming the Harbour City once again this May-June, with the theme of ‘Dream’ – asking (and answering): What’s in a dream?
For its 15th year, Vivid will present five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks; Barangaroo; Martin Place and CBD (for the first time since 2018); Darling Harbour; and The Goods Line and Inner City. Each zone will featured events from Vivid’s pillars: Light, Music, Ideas, and Food.
Throughout the festival, there’ll be exclusive collaborations like Sydney Writers’ Festival and Sydney Film Festival, as well as cultural institutions, venues and arts companies.
“Vivid Sydney continues to find exciting new ways and places to bring colour, creativity and fun to our city,” Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and Night-Time Economy John Graham says. “From surprising outdoor dining experiences, to artistic light projections on our most famous landmarks and big free live shows in Tumbalong Park – Vivid Sydney has something for everyone whether you’re a visitor or local.”
“This year’s festival is helping people face the cost-of-living crisis by increasing the number of free events, which is great news if you want a good night out without blowing the budget.”
In 2025, Vivid Light will come to life like never before, with exclusively commissioned pieces featuring world-leading animation and projection technology. The late Australian visionary David McDiarmid’s work will be showcased on the Sydney Opera House, entitled Kiss Of Light. Plus, Vincent Namatjira will preent King Dingo on the Museum Of Contemporary Art facade, and Romance Was Born will debut House Of Romance on Customs House.
There’ll be plenty of interactive installations and 3D projections along the Vivid Light Walk, including voice-activated animation, suspended swings, whimsical seesaws, a tennis match (with light!) and self-portraits turned 3D.
Vivid Ideas will continue to offer engaging experiences like TIME Magazine Creative Director D.W. Pine delivering a ‘Where Do Ideas Come From?’ keynote.
Fans of the Upside Down and Hawkins can witness ‘Stranger Things: The Experience’ at Luna Park Sydney. It transports attendees to 1986 Hawkins, blending supernatural mystery, nostalgia and iconic locations from the Netflix phenomenon.
Vivid Food has never been more enticing. This year, Nigella Lawson will exclusively curate three Vivid Sydney Dinners in the recently opened pedestrian tunnel Muru Giligu in Martin Place.
“Visitors cram themselves into Sydney in summer, but for me the magical time is in winter, during Vivid Sydney!” Nigella says. “And having loved it for years, it is the hugest thrill to be part of the Vivid Food programme this year.”
“I’ll be curating an exclusive menu for the three Vivid Sydney Dinners, and it is simply a dream come true. I mean, you know me: there can never be too many fairy lights! See you there!”
Tangerine Dream
Vivid Music artists this year include Winston Surfshirt, Ayesha Madon, My Anh, Chi Xe, Dobet Gnahore, Stella Jang, Zaeden, MonoNeon, Tangerine Dream, Soccer Mommy, Japanese Breakfast, Marlon Williams, Ngaiire and more.
“Dreaming is as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams can be prophetic, life changing and inspirational, as well as trivial, hilarious or terrifying. These interactions are evident in every aspect of Vivid Sydney’s programme this year,” Festival Director Gill Minervini says.
“Captivating light installations and 3D projections for everyone, thought-provoking and enlightening experiences, awe inspiring performances from the world’s best musicians, along with cutting edge culinary collaborations and dinners in unexpected places, it can all be found at Vivid Sydney.
“In 2025, the festival celebrates creativity, innovation and connection in the best city in the world.”
Tickets are on sale now.
Vivid Sydney 2025 is on from 23 May-14 June.
