Vivid Sydney – the glittering multidisciplinary festival that takes over our city for a few sparkly weeks every year – is always a spectacular affair. And while the parties, gigs, talks and foodie offerings are exceptional, the luminous displays that light up the city will always be the backbone of Sydney’s sparkliest several-week celebration. In two nights time, it will all be gone – here's the best way to take in the sparkle.
Check out our handy guide to everything you need to know about Vivid, here.
With a total of 30 glowing spectacles, immersive installations and interactive artworks popping up around the city, it’s pretty darn difficult to see Vivid's light display in its entirety. But to maximise your chances, we’d suggest getting involved with the Vivid Light Walk. Running from May 24 until June 15, this year’s Light Walk will include an incredible variety of free and ticketed experiences to light up the lead into winter.
This year’s track will span a hefty 8.5 kilometres, and can be tackled over the span of one night if you’re feeling very strong and adventurous. If you’re not, just dip in for a part of it, and remember that you can stop for food, drinks and ticketed events along the way – all without taking your eyes off the lights.
If you like to keep it classic, kick off at Circular Quay. The epicentre of all things Vivid, this year you can see Customs House illuminated with the playful work of Sydney-based artist Reg Mombassa, then head over to the MCA lawn to immerse yourself in the visionary world of Chinese-Australian artist Guan Wei, whose work will be lighting up the Museum of Contemporary Art. While you're there, dive into the mesmerising lightbox-style installation from Samsung, which will use AI to translate your message of hope for humanity into a glittering light display. From there, you can witness the spectacular moving artwork from Archibald-winner (and Time Out Future Shaper) Julia Gutman that will be lighting up the Opera House – with each light installation nodding to this year’s theme of Humanity.
Next up, pass by the ASN Clock Tower to witness the striking artwork exploring the human relationship to artificial intelligence, then make your way to First Fleet Park in The Rocks, which will be playing host to an immersive light experience formed of life-sized luminous human silhouettes. For more light-based fun, head to Hickson Road Reserve, where you’ll find Connection: a light forest formed from a canopy of thousands of LED ropes that react to movement. Above you, the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated with surreal, vibrant art by First Nations artist Tori-Jay – though you might want to make your way to the other side of Circular Quay for the most comprehensive view of this spectacular display. From over on the Opera House side of Circular Quay, you can you can watch the city light up with the more large-scale installations, including Our Connected City: a co-ordinated display of lasers and searchlights, which will transform buildings, landmarks and even travelling ferries into a synchronised symphony of light. If you’ve got time and a little cash to spare, take this opportunity to dive into the Botanic Gardens, which will be transforming into a multi-sensory wonderland known as Lightscape.
For more on the immersive front, loop up to Wynyard station for what was, in our opinion, the pièce de résistance of last year’s Vivid: Dark Spectrum. After a hugely successful debut, this incredible fiesta of light and sound housed in one of Sydney’s oldest abandoned tunnel systems is back, with eight underground rooms each themed with transporting light displays and a textural techno soundscape.
After that, you can head to Walsh Bay for a series of wild light shows, then to Barangaroo where you can witness free artworks including Chairwave: an interactive piece which invites strangers to sit next to one another on sporadically illuminating chairs, and Nest: a huge holographic depiction of the native Aussie Brolga bird.
Darling Harbour, Darling Square and the Darling Quarter will also all be well lit up with a plethora of activations, live music and illuminated attractions. Dip into Tumbalong Park’s new $10 million music venue for a free show, then head over to the Goods Line to get your fill of flame-cooked street food from Vivid Fire Kitchen.
We know that’s a lot – but, believe it or not, there’s a whole lot more. If you want to customise your own light walk, you can do so right here.
Just make sure you wear your comfiest shoes this year. You’re going to need 'em.
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