Everything You Need to Know About Vivid Sydney 2024
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest multi-artform festival and a highlight on the Sydney calendar, is about to return for its fourteenth year. With events, installations, performances and more taking place across the city, Vivid Sydney is a diverse and immersive festival that celebrates what’s unique about Sydney and beyond. With a focus on large-scale and interactivity, Vivid Sydney will feature mesmerising light installations, a mouthwatering food program, thought-provoking events and not-to-be-missed musical performances.
Read on for everything you need to know to make the most of your Vivid Sydney 2024 experience.
When Is Vivid Sydney 2024 Taking Place?
This year, Vivid Sydney starts on the 24th of May and will run for 23 nights through to the 15th of June.
Lights go on from 6pm each night, kicking off with the Lighting of the Sails. They’ll stay on until 11 pm, giving you a good five-hour window to explore the displays and installations. There are also events taking place across the city on every night of the week, so be sure to check the Vivid Sydney program or read on below for event highlights.
Where Is Vivid Sydney 2024 Taking Place?
Vivid Sydney stretches across the city, centring around the Vivid Sydney Light Walk, an eight-kilometre trail featuring more than thirty displays and installations. Landmarks across Circular Quay, the Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and The Goods Line will be illuminated throughout the festival and you’ll also find installations, events and performances at other key locations including:
- Tumbalong Park
- The Sydney Opera House
- Machine Hall Precinct
- Mary’s Underground
- Carriageworks
- The State Library of New South Wales
- Parliament House
- The Bulletin Place and Sydney Place precinct
- The Royal Botanic Gardens
- Darling Square
- Darling Quarter
- Walsh Bay
- University of Technology Sydney
What is the 2024 Sydney Vivid Theme?
Promising to be an immersive, holistic and diverse festival, this year Vivid Sydney focuses on a theme of ‘humanity’. The many events and installations will delve into what makes us uniquely human while celebrating love, kindness, compassion and creativity.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini says, “We have curated a diverse program that explores the human spirit, designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Everyone is invited to be part of this global event in the world’s most beautiful city to connect, create and celebrate.”
What’s on at Vivid Sydney This Year?
This year, you can expect a number of exciting events and installations across Vivid Sydney’s four pillars: Vivid Light, Vivid Food, Vivid Music and Vivid Ideas.
Hot tip: To make the most of your trip, use the Vivid Sydney Maps and Guides which covers all locations and includes an interactive map.
Vivid Light
Viewable on both foot and from the harbour, Vivid Light, the mainstay of the festival, is a public exhibition of outdoor light sculptures, installations and projections. This includes the famous Vivid Sydney Light Walk, a pram and wheelchair-friendly eight-kilometre walk running from Circular Quay to Barangaroo and the Goods Line. The nightly Lighting of the Sails will feature the unique works of the 2023 Archibald Prize winner, Sydney-based textile artist Julia Gutman with a soundtrack by Angus Mills.
Key highlights of Vivid Light this year includes:
Connection – a technicolour forest of LED lights by New Zealand artist, Angus Muir.
Gumscape with Roads and Creatures – Iconic Mambo artist, Reg Mombassa’s takeover of Customs House featuring his reimagining of the classic Aussie road trip.
Global Rainbow – a multicoloured light by US artist Yvette Mattern which extends 40 kilometres from Sydney Tower and is a universal symbol of hope and love.
Sea, Sand and Stars – a whimsical and breathtaking light projection on the Museum of Contemporary Art from globally celebrated artist Guan Wei.
Stateless – an installation by NSW artist Sinclair Park, featuring 4000 solar-powered LED candles along Barangaroo Reserve’s sandstone blocks symbolising hope, remembrance and the human spirit.
Lightscape – a multisensory journey of light, colour and sound through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Vivid Food
Another not-to-be-missed component of Vivid Sydney this year is Vivid Food, a celebration of Sydney’s diverse (and delicious) culinary landscape.
Key events include:
Vivid Fire Kitchen – a food market celebrating the art of cooking with fire. Now held at The Goods Line, you can enjoy samples and live demonstrations from top chefs.
A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez – a celebration of women in Australian gastronomy and winemaking taking place in the iconic Yallamundi Rooms at the Opera House
Our Shared Humanity – exclusive dinners at Refettorio OzHarvest featuring unique meals made with rescued produce from some of NSW’s best chefs including Christine Manfield, Darren Robertson, Mitch Orr and More.
Plates with Purpose: A Taste of Ukraine – a ten-course degustation at Kyiv Social offering the chance to experience an authentic Ukrainian family table and pay your meal forward to Ukrainians in need.
VividPlace Food Trail – a pedestrianised culinary hub taking place in Sydney Place and Bulletin Place laneways and featuring over 20 of Australia's top chefs, restaurateurs and bartenders.
Aurorae at Bennelong Bar – a bespoke bar snack and cocktail offering by award-winning chef Peter Gilmore.
Coyoacán Social Pop Up at Carriageworks – serving authentic Mexican street food in partnership with social enterprise Plate It Forward.
The Warakirri Dining Experience – an intimate First Nations dining experience led by Ngemba Weilwan woman and chef Sharon Winsor that fuses modern cooking techniques with traditional methods, alongside storytelling, dance and music.
Check out the Vivid Food program for all foodie events at Vivid Sydney this year.
Vivid Ideas
Expand your mind through Vivid Sydney’s series of thought-provoking experiences. Vivid Ideas includes an exciting lineup of live performances, panels, walking tours, immersive dance pieces and more.
Some key highlights include:
AI Will Destroy Humanity – a debate on the future of AI with Ben Rohald, Dr Zoe Xirocostas and comedian Adam Spencer taking place at Parliament House.
A New Normal – a hub showcasing the latest in engineering and design at The Harwood Building in Haymarket.
The Art of Deep Listening – a meditation workshop taking place at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Shifting Perspectives – a mirror-maze combining immersive dance and art installation by Matthew Adey in the Walsh Bay arts precinct.
The Golden Age of Humanity – a discussion with nine notable Australians about their personal connection to film and humanity.
A Thousand Ways: An Encounter – an intimate performance that takes place between you and a stranger divided by a glass partition.
After the Fact – a week nightly deep-dive into the breaking stories of the day with some of Sydney’s brightest minds.
Discover more of the fascinating events you won’t want to miss in the Vivid Ideas program here.
Vivid Music
Truly a festival for all senses, Vivid Sydney also includes a number of musical performances from local and international artists.
Some notable events include:
Tumbalong Nights – 12 nights of free musical performances featuring 2023's National Indigenous Music Awards Artist of the Year, Budjerah, award-winning singer-songwriter Mallrat and bossa nova performer grentperez.
Vivid LIVE – a celebratory music takeover of the Opera House featuring global and emerging artists including Fever Ray, Thelma Plum and Sky Ferreira.
Machine Hall Precinct – a program of international headliners and parties within the recently reopened and reimagined 100-year-old heritage substation in the heart of Sydney.
Check out the Vivid Music program for the full list of free and ticketed events.
How Much Does Vivid Sydney Cost?
Most of the Vivid Sydney events, including the Light Walk and many of the projections, are free. There are, however, several ticketed events. For the full list of free events, check out the Vivid Sydney program for 2024 here.
Is Vivid Sydney Good for Kids?
Vivid Sydney is designed with the whole family in mind. In addition to the main projections, there are plenty of kid-specific events kids of all ages will love.
For example:
Vivid Kids @ Tumbalong Park – a family-friendly event taking place every Saturday night from 5pm with performances by Buuja Buuja Dance, The Beanies, Formidable Vegetable and The Quokkas.
Superheroes of Science – an immersive microscopic science workshop for kids aged 8-12.
Messina Milk Bar – Messina’s whimsical retro-styled milk bar where you’ll find plenty of nostalgic treats to indulge in.
Hot top: Vivid’s medical tents will be handing out wristbands you can write your phone number on and attach to your kids, just in case.
Check out Vivid Sydney’s guide for exploring Vivid with kids here.
How to Get To Vivid Sydney
The best way to get to Vivid Sydney is by public transport, whether by bus, train, light rail, or ferry. For a luxury option, consider booking a private cruise from anywhere in Sydney.
Best Ways to See Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney can be explored by foot, or enjoyed from the vantage point of one of Sydney’s best restaurants or bars such as Aster at the Intercontinental. Alternatively, for a unique Vivid Sydney experience, book an experience onboard a boat with AnyBoat, such as 59-foot Galene. With capacity for 80 guests, two large JBL speakers with AUX connectivity and two levels with large windows, Galene is the perfect way to escape the crowds and experience the spectacular Vivid Festival. Galene is available for private parties and ticketed cruises which will take you to all the best vantage points, including Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Luna Park. And, even better yet - Galene is taking part in the Vivid Sydney Harbour parade, which means you’ll be a part of the show.
Find out more and book here
Other exclusive Vivid cruise options include:
An intimate cruise on La Dolce Vita. With space for just four guests, La Dolce Vita offers a romantic cruising option. A La Dolce Vita cruise will include a one-hour trip past all the major attractions with an artisan cheese platter and bottle of sparkling.
Find out more and book here
An exclusive cruise on Neptune. A 42-foot motor cruiser with ample saloon and upper deck space, perfect for experiencing the Sydney Vivid spectacle. With Kicker speakers and colour-changing LED lighting, your boat hire on Neptune will set the perfect Vivid scene. Available for up to 30 guests, bring your friends or family for a BYO food and beverages cruise, offering 360-degree views on the upper deck and clear vinyl windows to protect you from the cool winds ensuring your view isn't obstructed from all of the Vivid action.
Find out more and book here
A private cruise on MV Salute. With a capacity for up to twelve guests, MV Salute is the perfect vessel for an exclusive event. The cruise lasts for two hours and will take you past all the major attractions, including the Opera House, Luna Park, Darling Harbour, the National Maritime Museum and the Botanic Gardens. Vivid cruises onboard MV Salute can be completely tailored to you. Choose your pick up location, and choose from catering options or bring your own food.
Find out more and book here
An exclusive cruise on Champagne Sailing. A luxury catamaran with space for up to thirty guests, an exclusive event on Champagne Sailing is sure to impress your guests. Champagne Sailing offers a spacious forward lounge area that is the perfect place to take in the sights and snap photos. Your cruise package will include a professional skipper and crew, and there are several catering options to choose from.
Find out more and book here
A fun-filled cruise on Sea Monkey. With trampolines, bean bags and a great entertainment system, you’re bound to have a great time onboard Sea Monkey. Travel through the sights on Vivid on a 1.5-hour cruise for up to people.
Find out more and book here
For an even more premium experience, the luxury superyacht ONEWORLD is available for private cruises. Choose from a 2.5-hour cruise with a three-course formal dining experience with matching wines and beverages, a 3-hour cruise with a cocktail dining and matching beverages package or a 4-hour cruise with cocktail dining and beverage package.
Find out more and book now
Where to Stay
Whether you are visiting from afar or want to make the most of Vivid with a city staycation, there are plenty of options to suit your party size and budget. Choose from one of Sydney’s many luxury or budget hotels, or make it family-friendly with a serviced apartment. For an exclusive luxury stay you’ll never forget, consider an overnight charter and fall asleep amongst the lights on Sydney Harbour. Coveted superyacht, ONEWORLD is available for overnight charter including an overnight stay for up to ten guests with a three-course formal dining experience and a champagne breakfast prepared by the onboard chef.
Find out more and book now
We have received a large interest in the Vivid Sydney Festival 2024. Book now to secure your Vivid experience today, and don't miss out on the biggest light festival in the southern hemisphere!
