Plan ahead to make the most of Vivid Sydney’s lights, food, ideas and music
Vivid will bring millions of people into Sydney’s streets over the next 23 nights so make sure you plan your visit and book ahead to enjoy this spectacular winter event
NSW
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Sydney’s festival of light is back for another year and is bigger and brighter than ever.
The famous sails of the Opera House will again be lit up from Friday with original artwork from Archibald winning artist Julia Gutman.
The harbour’s iconic bridge and buildings will also be illuminated but with music, ideas and food featured on the program, there is plenty more than lights to see.
Last year 3.5 million visitors poured into the city and this year will likely be just as popular.
Sydney’s streets can get very busy over the 23 nights of Vivid but a bit of planning ahead will help make the most of it.
So here are some tips for how to tackle Vivid 2024.
1. DITCH THE CAR
With thousands of Sydneysiders flocking into the city each night until June 15, catching public transport is the way to go and extra services have been added.
In addition to the crowds, there will be road closures and trackwork on some lines on weekends. There will also be long lines for ferries as spectators take to the water to check out the lights around the harbour.
Transport NSW is urging visitors to plan their journeys.
2. VIVID WITH KIDS
Children love the spectacle of Vivid but battling crowds with toddlers or strollers can really take the fun out of it for parents.
Friday and Saturday nights will be the busiest so plan to take the littlies early to midweek. Sunset is around 5pm ensuring plenty of time for sparkling fun before tiredness sets in.
Darling Harbour is again the hub for kids with free, family entertainment in Tumbalong Park from 5pm each night. There will also be a range of interactive activities and cultural experiences to enjoy and plenty of kid friendly restaurants nearby.
3. WHAT’S NEW
The new Paul Mac Techno Train experience is for music lovers and trainspotters alike.
This special rail service will run from Central three times every night and include an interactive music and light experience composed by US musician Paul Mac. There is a Scenic Route for an earlier (6.35pm) more serene ride across the Harbour Bridge to Lavender Bay. Or the fast-paced Tech Express which journeys underground and to Sydney’s south. Tickets start at $19 and are available here.
Shifting Perspectives is an all ages and abilities interactive light and performance. Dancers move through the audience and around 24 reflective plinths. The show was a hit when it toured in Adelaide and is now expected to shine in Sydney.
The Ideas program will feature a huge range of options including an onstage chat with Matilda’s star Mackenzie Arnold and coach Tony Gustavsson at the Sydney Town Hall.
Another new performance could be confronting to those who are immersed in virtual social worlds. A Thousand Ways: An Encounter seats strangers opposite each other separated by a glass partition and given a set of instruction cards.
4. ON A BUDGET
As Vivid has expanded, so too have the range of events on offer. They cater to a range of tastes and budgets but there is still plenty to see for free.
The light walk starts at the Goods Line, next to Central Station in Ultimo and winds through to the Harbour. The trail includes dozens of installations and organisers recommend three visits to see everything properly. However you will need to buy tickets for Lightscape in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The Goods Line will also feature the Vivid Fire Kitchen where an array of barbecue stalls from around the world will sell a range of delicious grilled foods. For desert, the Messina Milkbar will reimagine some old favourites into modern day treats including a warm Milo fudge Sundae.
Every night the Global Rainbow will beam rainbow lasers from the Sydney Eye across the city for up to 40km.
Another laser spectacular is Hika Rakuyu, an eight minute show beamed across Cockle Bay and featuring falling leaves and blooming Australian native flowers.
At Barrangaroo, Horizon is a trance like strobing light display from Spain which promises to challenge spatial perception and everyday reality.
The Love is in the Air drone show will run for three nights only, June 8,9 and 15. Some ferries won’t be able to run between 9pm and 9.30pm on these nights and Circular Quay and the city will be busy. But as the drones are visible from a wide area in the night sky there will be plenty of vantage points around the harbour to watch the spectacle.
5. BLOW THE BUDGET
Food was introduced to the Vivid program in 2023 and is back with a vengeance.
For the ultimate Vivid dining experience head to Luke’s Table high above the city in one of the Harbour Bridge pylons.
For $395 a head enjoy a lavish three-course meal from Sydney restaurateur extraordinaire Luke Mangan.
Climb the 200 steps to the lookout, enjoy a tour or the museum and then canapes and champagne before sitting down to dine at a communal table for 20.
This will surely have the best views of the lights across the harbour.
Alternatively, Plates with purpose – A Taste of Ukraine starts at $160pp but this 10 course degustation menu by Kviv Social’s Borys Charnyk is all for a good cause. It will include authentic Ukranian dishes and some reimagined classics. Entertainment will be provided by an all-female Ukranian band.
Proceeds will provide 200 meals to Ukranians at home and in Sydney.
To book tickets and plan your Vivid visit vividsydney.com.
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