Top Things To Do At Vivid Sydney 2025
Vivid Sydney 2025 marks the festival’s 15th year, lighting up the city from 23 May to 14 June with art, music, food, and ideas.
With this year’s theme, Dream, the program is bursting with creativity and imagination. There are many Vivid Sydney things to do, so we’ve narrowed it down to the best experiences to help you make the most of your visit.
10 Vivid Sydney Things to Do
We’ve handpicked 10 top things to do at Vivid Sydney 2025 from light and music to food and ideas. Here are the experiences worth adding to your night out:
1. Attend the ‘First Light’ Opening Event
Kick-off Vivid Sydney with First Light, the festival’s ceremonial opening and countdown to Lights On. Held at Campbells Cove and curated by Rhoda Roberts AO, it’s a powerful celebration of First Nations culture and Calling Country, setting the tone for the nights ahead.
Featuring traditional dancers, music, and storytelling on the shores of the Harbour, it’s described as “our welcome to Country, our grounding moment, our beginning.” Join the crowd as the city prepares to switch on the magic for the first time in 2025.
2. Immerse Yourself in the Vivid Light Walk
The iconic Vivid Light Walk returns with over 8km of installations across Circular Quay, Barangaroo, Walsh Bay, and Darling Harbour.
A standout is this year’s Lighting of the Sails: Kiss of Light by David McDiarmid, brought to life by Sydney studio VANDAL. “It’s a radiant tribute to self-expression, pride and community,” says Festival Director Gill, “splashed across the iconic Sydney Opera House.”
3. Experience the Vivid Sydney BridgeClimb
The best way to experience Vivid Sydney is to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Vivid Sydney BridgeClimb delivers panoramic views of the illuminated skyline, from the Opera House sails to Darling Harbour.
The Bridge itself glows as part of the show. For something more refined, book Luke’s Vivid Table at the Pylon Lookout. For groups, the Vivid Climb Corporate Team Package combines the climb with a shared meal beneath the lights.
4. Step Into a Dream with Lucid Faces and Lumina Light
Two installations bring Vivid Sydney’s 2025 dream theme to life with striking creativity.
At Challis House in Martin Place, The Lucid Dream Collective by Moment Factory uses AI to project a shifting collage of human faces, transforming the façade into a living artwork.
At Barangaroo Metro Gardens, Lumina Dreams turns real-time weather data into rhythmic, glowing light. This tranquil new location becomes an ethereal escape, part nature, part digital dream.
5. Fashion and Fantasy Collide at Customs House
Customs House is reimagined in House of Romance: Dreams Collide, a couture-inspired projection from iconic Australian label Romance Was Born and creative studio Super Giant Live.
It’s both cultural storytelling and visual artistry in one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Catch it along the Vivid Light Walk for a moment of dreamlike glamour in the heart of Circular Quay.
6. Watch International Acts at Tumbalong Nights
Tumbalong Nights brings global sounds to Darling Harbour with 23 nights of free outdoor performances, including seven nights dedicated to international artists singing in their native languages.
This year also introduces Vivid Sings!, the first-ever mass choir event in Tumbalong Park. Families can also arrive early for Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park: a series of free Saturday shows featuring Bennytime, Whistle & Trick, and The Vegetable Plot.
7. Visit Vivid Fire Kitchen for Live Flame-Cooked Feasts
Located on The Goods Line, Vivid Fire Kitchen brings the heat literally. Chefs from across Australia prepare dishes over open flames in live demos and pop-up kitchens.
The experience includes food stalls, communal seating, and workshops on open-fire cooking techniques. It’s the ultimate foodie stop after the Light Walk and a tasty detour for anyone mapping out their Vivid Climb Sydney experience.
8. Explore Native Ingredients at Parliament House
The Native Food Experience offers a rare opportunity to dine inside NSW Parliament House during a sitting night. Chefs Dwayne Bannon-Harrison and Vanessa Harcourt present native ingredients with heritage cooking techniques, reimagining First Nations culinary traditions in a modern context.
The menu highlights respectful storytelling through food from smoke-infused proteins to native herbs and seasonal preparations. It's a one-night-only experience of culture, history, and flavour set within one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings.
9. Face the Upside Down at Luna Park’s Stranger Things set
Step inside Hawkins Lab and dive into the Upside Down in this immersive adventure at Luna Park. Stranger Things: The Experience brings the hit Netflix series to life for the first time in Australia, following successful runs in the US and Europe.
This ticketed event has a mix of live performances, special effects, and 80s nostalgia, all set within a richly detailed set. It’s a must-do for Stranger Things fans and thrill-seekers alike. Book your ticket here before it sells out.
10. Hear Stories by the Fire at Firetalk
Storytelling meets firelight in Firetalk, a weekly event held under the stars on the Vivid Light Walk. Curated by Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money, each Wednesday night features First Nations poets, songwriters, and storytellers sharing powerful stories and performances.
Rooted in oral traditions and cultural knowledge sharing, these sessions offer warmth, insight, and connection by the flickering Bon(d)fire stories that speak to identity, community, and the future.
These 10 experiences are just the beginning. Vivid Sydney 2025 is packed with even more light installations, live shows, thought-provoking talks, and culinary surprises across five major precincts.
To explore the full program, visit the official Vivid Sydney website or check out our Ultimate Guide to Vivid Sydney 2025 for more tips, highlights, and climbing experiences.
Wrapping Up
There’s no shortage of Vivid Sydney things to do from light-filled laneways to bold flavours and free live music in the park. Explore interactive installations, dive into digital art, or enjoy flame-cooked dishes as the city glows around you.
For a standout experience, the Vivid Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb provides sweeping views of the illuminated skyline. Plan your Climb with these BridgeClimb packages and take your Vivid Sydney activities to new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vivid Sydney?
- Vivid Sydney is an annual festival in Sydney, Australia, celebrating creativity, innovation, and technology. Over 23 days and nights, the city is transformed with mesmerising light installations, music performances, thought-provoking talks, and culinary experiences.
When is Vivid Sydney 2025?
- Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from 23 May to 14 June, illuminating the city with a diverse program of events and installations.
What are the dates for Vivid Sydney 2025?
- The festival runs from Friday, 23 May, to Saturday, 14 June 2025.
What time is the First Light event at Vivid Sydney 2025?
- The First Light event, marking the official countdown to "Lights On," begins at 6:00 pm on 23 May 2025 at Campbells Cove. This special ceremony celebrates First Nations culture and Calling Country.
What time does Vivid Sydney close each night?
- Each night, the light installations and projections are illuminated from 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
Where are the best places to experience Vivid Sydney?
- Top locations to enjoy Vivid Sydney include Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, and the Royal Botanic Garden. These areas feature iconic light installations and are central to many festival events.
Are there any family-friendly activities at Vivid Sydney 2025?
- Yes, Vivid Sydney has many family-friendly activities, including interactive light installations, music performances suitable for all ages, and dedicated zones like Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, which often features children's entertainment.
