Sydney’s spectacular Vivid festival returns for its 15th year from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June. This years’ theme… Vivid Sydney, Dream.

Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, which transforms the Harbour City for 23 days and nights. The city comes to life with awe-inspiring art installations and 3D light projections, immersive performances, live music and culinary experiences.

This year, the festival footprint has been redesigned to present five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks; Barangaroo; Martin Place and CBD; Darling Harbour; and The Goods Line and Inner City. Each connected zone will feature events from each of the festival pillars; Light, Music, Ideas and Food.

Light.

Vivid Light will come to life like never before with exclusively commissioned pieces featuring world-leading animation and projection technologies.

The late Australian visionary, David McDiarmid’s bold and unapologetic work will be showcased on the Sydney Opera House for Lighting of the Sails, entitled Kiss of Light (2025).
Vincent Namatjira will present King Dingo on the facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
The team behind Sydney fashion label, Romance Was Born will debut House of Romance on Customs House.
The Vivid Light Walk features voice-activated animation, suspended swings, whimsical seesaws, a tennis match with light, and self-portraits turned into 3D projections by world renowned entertainment studio, Moment Factory.
Buildings and landmarks that feature as part of the festival this year include Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo and Challis House in Martin Place, the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and the CTA Building in Martin Place.

*King Dingo by Vincent Namatjira |* 📷 *Vivid Sydney*

Ideas.

Vivid Ideas continues to offer an array of engaging experiences:

D.W. Pine, Creative Director of TIME Magazine, will deliver the keynote ‘Where Do Ideas Come From?’
Internationally renowned scientist Professor Matthew Walker will present ‘Why We Sleep’ to delve into one of the most important but least understood aspects of our lives.
Free Vivid Ideas events include the weekly Firetalk series at Barangaroo Reserve, bringing together First Nations storytellers, and Endling, a major new physical theatre work performed nightly by Sydney’s Legs On The Wall.
Stranger Things: The Experience will debut at Luna Park Sydney. This immersive, interactive adventure for all ages transports you to 1986 Hawkins, and blends supernatural mystery, nostalgia and iconic locations from the Netflix global phenomenon designed exclusively by the show’s creators.

Nigella Lawson | 📷 Vivid Sydney

Food.

Food writer and TV cook, Nigella Lawson will curate three Vivid Sydney Dinners in the recently opened pedestrian tunnel Muru Giligu in Martin Place. Over three nights, the space will be completely transformed with a light and sound experience, celebrated with NSW produce and wine for an unforgettable experience.
Vivid Fire Kitchen will return to The Goods Line honouring fire and spice and Vivid Chef Series will once again see the world’s most innovative chefs collaborate with Sydney’s revered dining intuitions.
Maryanne Street will transform into the Spice Lounge for Vivid Sydney – a place to spend time around the fire and take it all in.
Vivid Food will also activate in Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter, including exclusive gig and food trails from institutions such as Golden Age Cinema, Hollywood Hotel, and The Soda Factory as well as unmissable street parties.

*Sounds of Afrobeats at Metro Theatre | 📷 Vivid Sydney*

Music.

Vivid Music celebrates our collective dreams through sound and song, with a specially curated program of artists from around the globe, alongside special events, interactive experiences and exclusive performances.

Tumbalong Nights will return to Darling Harbour with a focus on music in diaspora communities and First Nations artists singing in their own languages. Featuring local pop darlings Winston Surfshirt and Ayesha Madon, the free concert series will also include V-Pop sensations Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê, Grammy-winning African artist Dobet Gnahoré, Stella Jang from Korea, India’s Zaeden and former bass player for Prince, MonoNeon.
Oxford Art Factory will host UK rapping sensations Pete & Bas, Metro Theatre will see local labels Bad Apples and NLV Records celebrate their 10th anniversaries in separate events, and City Recital Hall will host German electronic music pioneers Tangerine Dream as well as Soccer Mommy. Vivid Supper Club will also return to Mary’s Underground, with a new line-up reflecting contemporary cabaret.
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House boasts over 50 cutting-edge and legendary international and Australian artists, including British singer and spellbinding performer Anohni and The Johnsons, Beth Gibbons from Portishead, Sigur Rós with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, indie pop darlings Japanese Breakfast, soulful indie-folk crooner Marlon Williams, neo-soul artist Ravyn Lenae, plus homegrown trailblazers Miss Kaninna, SAHXL and more, all to perform at the iconic venue.
Carriageworks features performances by lo-fi house and techno producer Mall Grab, Sydney based-Papua New Guinean artist Ngaiire set to deliver her most visceral and transcendent work yet, and Byron Bay duo Skegss bring their raw mix of surf and garage rock.