In partnership with Destination New South Wales
Vivid Sydney transforms the city into an electric celebration of Light, Music, Ideas and Food every winter.
As the Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival of its kind, get ready to be dazzled by large-scale light art, bold music performances, boundary-pushing experiences and inventive dishes served in unique locations.
Mark your calendar – Vivid Sydney 2025 takes place from 23 May to 14 June from 6pm to 11pm every night.
Why you’ll love Vivid Sydney
There’s nothing quite like Vivid Sydney. The 23-night festival brings together the world’s best light artists, musicians, thinkers and culinary talents, using the city’s urban and natural landscapes as their canvases. Wander through dazzling installations, experience performances or meals in unexpected locations and immerse yourself in innovative ideas. Many events are completely free, so you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy some of the best Australian and international creative talent.
This year, Vivid Sydney explores the ‘Dream’ theme, inviting you to embrace imagination, creativity and the endless possibilities of tomorrow.
Incredible light and more
Frequent travellers to the Harbour City, and locals alike, will be mesmerised by the wonder of Vivid Sydney bathing the city in a whole new light. Iconic landmarks, hidden laneways, parks and urban spaces will be transformed with breathtaking projections and interactive displays. The Vivid Sydney Light Walk can be explored across five key zones, and each zone is designed as its own hub of Light, Music, Ideas and Food. Make a night of it: enjoy a gig, performance or talk, grab a bite and explore before moving on to your next stop.
The Vivid Sydney Light Walk zones
Music from all corners of the globe
Vivid Sydney also hosts some of the best live music of the year. From the Sydney Opera House to Carriageworks and City Recital Hall, iconic venues will showcase a diverse line-up of the best international and local talent. For a free festival-long program of electrifying music, head to Tumbalong Nights, where global and Australian favourites will take to the stage every night. Fancy staying up past Lights Out at 11pm? We’ve got you covered with late-night gigs across the program, including the Vivid Sydney Supper Club, your late-night, cabaret escape at Mary’s Underground – a speakeasy-style haven for music and mischief every Thursday and Friday of the festival.
Sign up for the Vivid Sydney newsletter. With hundreds of events set to take place over the course of the festival, you’ll be the first to know the latest on ticket releases, must-see events, festival updates and hidden gems.
Illuminating ideas
Vivid Sydney isn’t just about spectacle – it’s about sparking new ways of thinking. The Vivid Ideas program features thought-provoking talks, mind-expanding films and other immersive experiences. Bold thinkers and changemakers will explore how dreams can shape our collective future across a variety of free and paid events, all festival long.
Take public transport. Sydney’s public transport system is well connected, taking you close to all the best displays during Vivid Sydney.
Mouth-watering food
Exploring the city will work up your appetite, and Vivid Food is here to nourish, delight and inspire you with a smorgasbord of dining options. From exclusive dining experiences in iconic locations to fire-cooked street food at Vivid Fire Kitchen, this year’s line-up is packed with flavour and innovation. Expect special collaborations, world-class chefs (including Nigella Lawson) and some of Australia’s most exciting food talent serving up dishes inspired by the festival’s ‘Dream’ theme.
Arrive early. Crowds tend to build later in the evening, making just after sunset the perfect time to experience Vivid Sydney
The best Vivid Sydney viewpoints
Sydney is a spectacular city for views no matter what time of year you visit, but there is something truly special about this place during the Vivid Sydney festival. While the light displays vary each year, there are several viewpoints that are a solid bet for seeing the lights at their most magnificent. Read on for our recommendations of where to set up for some breathtaking vistas.
The best viewpoints for Vivid Sydney
Short road trips to take after Vivid Sydney
Once you’ve enjoyed the magic of Vivid Sydney 2025, venture out and immerse yourself in the natural wonders that regional New South Wales offers.
The Blue Mountains National Park
The Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site only 90 minutes away by car, received its name from the hazy blue hue hovering above the treetops of its eucalypt forests. Here, you can soak in the visual grandeur via lookout points or one of the many hiking trails: Olympian Rock Lookout, Cahill’s Lookout and Narrow Neck Lookout offer some of the most postcard-worthy views. Make a stop at Scenic World, one of the must-dos in the Blue Mountains, where you can enjoy unparalleled views of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation on the Scenic Skyway and other attractions.
It’s not just rugged wilderness that you can find here – learn more about Australia’s native plants (as well as many exotic varieties) at the stunning Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, Mayfield Garden and the many privately-owned cool-climate gardens in Mount Wilson. Reserve time to wander through the quaint villages of Leura and Katoomba to meet the welcoming locals, sample locally grown produce and pick up an authentic souvenir to take home. The region is just as beautiful at night: learn to appreciate the science and stories of the night sky with Blue Mountains Stargazing. For something a bit different, learn the art of the truffle hunt (delicious snacks and drinks included) with Redground Truffle Hunts, the only operator that offers summer and winter experiences.
The Hunter Valley
It’ll quickly become clear why Australia’s oldest wine region is a must-visit when exploring NSW. Along with the many excellent cellar doors for wine tasting, gourmands can also sample cheese at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory, gin at Hunter Distillery and whiskey at Tower Whiskey Distillery. Make time to explore the region: nestled at the foothills of the Brokenback Range, the best way to admire this verdant landscape is by air. Wake up early for a sunrise hot-air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft. Watching the soft light slowly spreading across the peaceful vines and fields of cattle is truly magical.
For something different on ground, try a segway tour or horse riding – it's a great way to immerse yourself in nature and you might spot kangaroos, wombats, possums and wedge-tailed eagles. Kids will love the Hunter Valley Gardens, which hosts plenty of events during the year, and the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park offers opportunities to interact with both native and exotic animals. There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants to pick from for a long lunch or an indulgent dinner: Margan, EXP, Bistro Molines, Muse and Yellow Billy are some of the most highly regarded.
Port Stephens
Two and a half hours north of Sydney, Port Stephens is home to breathtaking natural wonder Stockton Bight Sand Dunes – the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Go on an adventure quad biking, camel riding, sand boarding or rolling down these gargantuan dunes (tuck in your shirt!) with Sand Dune Adventures. Port Stephens is also known as the dolphin capital of Australia. You can go on a cruise with Moonshadow TQC to spot the bottlenosed dolphins in Nelson Bay. From May to November, you can see majestic humpback whales migrating up and down the coast.
Elsewhere in Port Stephens, you’ll find golden beaches, towns with high-quality seafood restaurants and the Tomaree Head Summit Walk – a short but invigorating walk that offers spectacular views. Animal lovers should bookmark the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary or the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters to learn about some fascinating creatures with knowledgeable guides. Reserve at least half a day to hang out at B Farm by Murray's, which houses a brewery, distillery, winery cellar door and restaurants, among a stunning garden landscape.
Central Coast
Just an hour north, the Central Coast is a slice of paradise, with a gorgeous coastline to explore, lush wilderness and a thriving foodie scene. Get to know the passionate producers on the Central Coast Makers Trail, a self-guided road trip that includes stops at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, Firescreek Botanical Winery and Distillery Botanica. Discover the variety of the landscape from a different perspective – Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures caters for all abilities, and Treetops Adventure will have kids and adults alike feeling thrilled. Looking for something different? Have brunch with a friendly herd of alpacas at Iris Lodge Alpacas.
Discover more things to see and do in Sydney and New South Wales at Sydney.com
