Sydney is set to shine brighter than ever as Vivid Sydney 2025 transforms the city into an open-air gallery of colour, light, and creativity. 

This free public event draws millions of visitors each year and showcases an impressive mix of immersive art installations, live performances, and innovative ideas.

More than a light show, Vivid Sydney celebrates creativity, diversity and bold thinking bringing people together from around the world to see the city in a new light.

This guide covers the Vivid Sydney 2025 dates, standout experiences, and essential tips to help you make the most of the Vivid Sydney festival.

When is Vivid Sydney 2025?

Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June, lighting up the city for 23 nights with art, light, music, food, and ideas. 

Each evening from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, projections and installations transform Sydney’s skyline including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and key precincts into a citywide spectacle.

This year’s theme, “DREAM”, invites visitors to explore creativity without limits. Festival Director Gill Minervini describes it as “a spark, a wish, an idea” and this year’s program brings that vision to life across five immersive zones.

To stay on track, check the official Vivid Sydney Events for the full 2025 schedule, including up-to-date timings on light displays, performances, and special events as the festival approaches.

Must-See Attractions at Vivid Sydney 2025

Vivid Sydney 2025 is brimming with immersive displays and illuminated landmarks throughout the city’s most iconic locations. Here’s what to check out in each location:

1. Sydney Opera House

The sails of the Opera House once again command attention with Kiss of Light, a radiant tribute to artist David McDiarmid. 

Brought to life by local studio VANDAL, this bold and joyful projection celebrates self-expression through vibrant colour and movement. It remains one of the most iconic moments of the festival.

2. Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge lights up in sync with the city skyline, adding dramatic scale to the Vivid Sydney experience. For the best views, book a Vivid Sydney Climb and take in the glowing harbour from the Summit.

For something unique, Luke’s Vivid Table at the Pylon Lookout delivers fine dining with panoramic views, while the Vivid Climb Corporate Team Package is ideal for group celebrations with post-climb dining included.

3. Circular Quay & The Rocks

Art and architecture collide at Circular Quay, one of the festival’s most popular precincts. House of Romance: Dreams Collide turns Customs House into a high-fashion fantasy of light and colour. 

A short walk away, Stem at Cadmans Cottage lets your voice trigger a digital tree that evolves in real-time. On the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art, King Dingo by Vincent Namatjira uses bold imagery and satire to reframe Australian history.

4. Darling Harbour

This buzzing precinct is ideal for families and groups. At Tumbalong Park, glowing seesaws in Curiosity invite playful interaction, while Kickit Team Tennis merges sport and light art in a crowd-pleasing display. 

On the water, Cygnus features glowing swans drifting across Nawi Cove in a poetic fusion of light and motion. Over at Cockle Bay, Samsung’s Space to Dream presents three glowing waterfalls that merge water, reflection, and projection into a mesmerising experience.

5. Barangaroo

Barangaroo presents a more reflective side of Vivid. An Act of Being at Barangaroo Reserve marks 25 years since the People’s Walk for Reconciliation with a moving projection by Bangarra Dance Theatre and Reconciliation Australia. 

Not far away, Lumina Dreams transforms the Metro Gardens using live weather data to guide a hypnotic display of shifting colour and pattern.

6. Martin Place & the CBD

After a multi-year break, Martin Place returns to the program with one of the festival’s most high-tech installations. The Lucid Dream Collective by Moment Factory uses AI to blend hundreds of human faces into a dreamlike display on Challis House. 

Flowers’ Power fills the plaza with nine giant mirrored flowers that shimmer in the city lights, and Fantasmagoria at the Bond Building delivers a surreal love letter to storytelling through light.

7. The Goods Line & Inner City

If you’re looking for something immersive and highly interactive, head to SomniUs along The Goods Line. 

Over 1,000 glowing rods respond to movement, sending waves of light and sound through the installation as people pass beneath. A stunning and tactile reminder of how light and presence connect.

Vivid Sydney features countless stunning displays, and it’s not necessary to see everything at once. Focus on key attractions like the Opera House projections and Darling Harbour, then explore other iconic locations at your own pace throughout the festival.

Key Events & Experiences at Vivid Sydney 2025

The Vivid Sydney festival isn’t only about lights, rather there’s a full calendar of creative programming, making it one of the most diverse cultural events in the country.

Beyond the lights, Vivid Sydney has prepared a full program of music, food, and ideas designed to spark imagination and connection.

Vivid Music

The 2025 lineup goes global, with more international acts and boundary-pushing collaborations. Tumbalong Nights returns with 23 nights of free live music, including performances in multiple languages from artists such as Stella Jang (South Korea) and Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast). 

First Light: Live, a brand-new opening concert, showcases First Nations musicians including DJ Rona and Canada’s Snotty Nose Rez Kids. For late-night entertainment, the Vivid Sydney Supper Club at Mary’s Underground features rotating celebrity hosts and themed cabaret shows.

Other musical highlights include Sound Escape at City Recital Hall, a one-night street party turned mini music festival and intimate gigs with music legends like Warren Ellis at venues across the city.

Vivid Ideas

This year’s theme, DREAM, flows through every talk and panel. First Light, the opening ceremony at Campbells Cove, sets the tone with a moving celebration of First Nations culture. 

Talks like Where Do Ideas Come From? with TIME magazine’s D.W. Pine offer insights into creativity and influence, while Firetalk, a weekly fireside storytelling series curated by Jazz Money, shares powerful First Nations perspectives.

For immersive experiences, Stranger Things: The Experience at Luna Park invites fans into the Upside Down, and Haus of Horror transforms Sydney Town Hall into a spooky cinema with cult horror classics.

Vivid Food

The food program steps up in 2025 with precinct-wide activations and world-class talent. Vivid Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line turns up the heat with bold, flame-cooked flavours under a Fire and Spice theme. This outdoor favourite returns with top pitmasters, smoky aromas, and vibrant energy that lights up the night.

One of the most talked-about additions this year is the Vivid Sydney Dinners with Nigella Lawson, hosted in the Muru Giligu Tunnel beneath Martin Place. This immersive experience blends atmospheric lighting, striking architecture, and a locally inspired menu curated by Nigella, showcasing premium NSW produce in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Other highlights include Dreaming Skies at Sydney Tower’s Infinity restaurant with chef Dwayne Bannon-Harrison, the neon-lit Hollywood Dreaming precinct takeover in Surry Hills, and FoodLab Sydney, a new dining series featuring refugee and migrant chefs. 

For the first time, Parliament House will host the Native Food Experience during a live sitting night, blending First Nations cuisine with political history.

With so much to explore, choose the light displays, live music, food, and cultural events that best match your interests to ensure you don’t miss out on the highlights.

Tips for Enjoying Vivid Sydney 2025

A little planning goes a long way during Vivid Sydney 2025, especially if you're aiming to make the most of the lights, live performances and festival atmosphere. Here are some smart, practical tips to help you navigate it all:

Plan Ahead

The official program is your best friend. Use the Vivid Sydney Program to find key timings for installations, live events, and crowd-favourite zones. Popular experiences like Luke’s Table at the Pylon Lookout and Vivid Sydney Dinners with Nigella Lawson often book out early.

Use Public Transport

Driving is tricky during the festival. Roads around Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Martin Place are often closed or slow-moving. Stick to trains, ferries, metro or light rail. Central, Wynyard, Circular Quay and Barangaroo stations put you right in the action.

Dress for the Night

You’ll be on your feet more than you expect. Bring comfortable shoes and a warm jacket as nights by the harbour can be crisp, even in late May and early June.

Visit on Weeknights

Crowds swell on weekends, especially around headline installations like the Opera House and Darling Harbour. Head in Monday to Thursday for more space to roam and better photo opportunities.

Catch a Harbour View

For a completely different perspective, consider booking a Vivid Sydney Climb or taking in the lights from one of the city’s Vivid Sydney cruises. Both provide panoramic views you just won’t get from street level.

Arrive Early

Lights switch on at 6:00 pm sharp, but it’s worth arriving around 5:30 pm to grab dinner, avoid queues, and settle in for the night. Key installations get busy fast.

Every night at Vivid Sydney 2025 brings something different. From the Opera House projections to dining in the Muru Giligu Tunnel or exploring The Goods Line, each precinct has something to discover. Take your time and let the city light up around you.

Final Thoughts

Vivid Sydney 2025 is shaping up to be another dazzling chapter in the city’s cultural calendar. 

With stunning installations, a rich program of music and ideas, and an atmosphere unlike anything else in Australia, it’s no wonder the Sydney light show attracts millions each year. 

Join a Vivid Sydney cruise, explore the creative precincts on foot, or enjoy a panoramic view from a BridgeClimb, and you’ll find no shortage of remarkable moments.

Now’s the time to plan your adventure and experience Sydney in a whole new light.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vivid Sydney?

• Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest festival of light, music, food and ideas. It transforms Sydney’s most iconic spaces into immersive works of art, while also showcasing performances, talks and culinary experiences from global and local creatives.

When is Vivid Sydney 2025?

• Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June, spanning 23 consecutive nights of colour and creativity across the city.

Where is Vivid Sydney?

• The festival takes place across multiple locations in central Sydney, including the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Martin Place, The Goods Line and more.

What time does Vivid Sydney start?

• Lights are officially switched on each evening at 6:00 pm and remain on until 11:00 pm, with music, dining, and special events running across different hours depending on the location.

When does Vivid Sydney end?

• Vivid Sydney 2025 ends on Saturday 14 June, concluding with its final night of light shows and performances.

Is Vivid Sydney free?

• Most light installations and outdoor entertainment are free to attend. However, some events such as concerts, special talks, and dining experiences require paid tickets and often sell out quickly.

Where to park for Vivid Sydney?

• Parking is limited and often subject to road closures. If you must drive, nearby secure parking stations are available at Circular Quay, The Rocks, and Darling Harbour. It's strongly recommended to use public transport.

Where to go for Vivid Sydney?

• Start your night at major hubs like Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, or Barangaroo, where many of the headline installations and performances are located. From there, follow the Vivid Light Walk or explore smaller precincts for unique experiences.

Why is Vivid Sydney celebrated?

• Vivid Sydney celebrates creativity, diversity and innovation. It’s a platform for artists, musicians, storytellers and thinkers to showcase bold ideas, light-based artworks and performances that reimagine the city and bring people together.

How to get to Vivid Sydney?

• The best way to get to Vivid Sydney is by public transport. Train stations like Circular Quay, Wynyard, Martin Place and Central place you within walking distance of key precincts. Ferries, buses and light rail services also run frequently throughout the festival.