Vivid opens tonight and will light up the city for the next 18 days

THE countdown is over — Vivid Sydney opens tonight and will light up the city for the next 18 days.

A sneak peek of the colorful projections on the Customs House building at Circular Quay.

THE countdown is over — Vivid Sydney opens tonight and will light up the city for the next 18 days.

Each year some of the city’s most iconic structures are bathed in a rainbow of colours during the arts festival.

This year’s light show promises to be spectacular.

The popular Opera House light display is often the focal point of the festival but this year the creativity will flow on to the Harbour, from the world-famous coathanger to the vessels that pass under it.

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A sneak peek of the colorful projections on the Customs House building at Circular Quay. Picture: Bill Hearne

Another light show at the Customs House. Picture: Bill Hearne

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu performs with members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at Vivid Live last year.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu performs with members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at Vivid Live last year.

This year The Star will join the light party for the first time as the Astral Tower, Darling hotel and the Sky Terrace rooftop are illuminated.

The Star’s inaugural light show will be visible from vantage points across the city, including the Barangaroo-Darling Harbour-Pyrmont precinct.

The Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay will be lit up with 3D visual effects while the facade of Customs House will morph into a series of “musical sculptures’’ using light, colour and sound.

Launched in 2009, Vivid has become a popular event, with organisers expecting last year’s visitor numbers of 800,000 to be eclipsed.

Extra ferry, bus and train services to cater for the crowds.

Opening night will kick off with the lighting of the Harbour Bridge, The Star and Opera House from 6pm