Vivid 2025: Hundreds of businesses offer special events as some opening hours extended
Sydneysiders and tourists alike will be able to experience more and stay out later at the 2025 Vivid festival. Here’s what is coming.
NSW
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Dark-room cocktail making sessions, a silent disco tour, and a moonlight kayak to see Vivid from the water - these are just some of the unique experiences on offer at hundreds of businesses at this year’s Vivid Sydney festival.
Sydneysiders and tourists alike will also be able to stay out later to experience the Vivid lights, with the state government extending trading hours on three Sunday nights during the festival.
More than 400 businesses have signed up to Vivid’s Local Business Program this year, an increase of 110 per cent from 2024.
The program gives businesses promotion on Vivid’s website if they put on special events for the festival, which starts on Friday.
Hickson House distillery and bar has created the “Vivid Dream Cocktail Lab,” a dark-room cocktail making experience.
Restaurants are offering bespoke menus, there will be exclusive festival offers, and keen runners will be able to join a 6.5km run club featuring neon-coloured vests.
Sunday trading hours will be extended for hospitality venues in The Rocks, Barangaroo, Pyrmont, Woolloomooloo and Potts Point, allowing them to stay open until midnight on the three Sundays of the festival.
“Between the lights, the music, the ideas and the food, Vivid Sydney is more than just a visual
experience – it’s an opportunity to celebrate our city,” Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said.
Mr Kamper said local business program will provide “experiences (which) encourage visitors to stay out longer, explore more and support our vibrant night-time economy”.
Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said extending opening hours is a “win-win”.
“Festival goers get a greater chance to enjoy their night out and business owners get a better opportunity to capitalise on the 2.5 million people Vivid attracts.”
Hickson House co-founder Julian Train said being part of the program was a great way to showcase the venue.
“The program is a great way of getting our message out to everyone heading down to Vivid, we have had great support from the Vivid team to bring it all to life.”
When is Vivid 2025?
Vivid 2025 will run from May 23 to June 14th.
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Originally published as Vivid 2025: Hundreds of businesses offer special events as some opening hours extended
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