Vivid Sydney Guide 2025: Best Things to Do During the Festival of Light

Man of Many

23-05-2025

Back for another year, Vivid Sydney 2025 will run from Friday, 23rd May to Saturday, 14th June. The free-to-attend event will transform the harbour city into a light exhibition celebrating creativity, innovation, and technology for an estimated 3.48+ million attendees.
This year's theme is 'Vivid Sydney, Dream', and names like Nigella Lawson, Sigur Rós and Beth Gibbons will headline events throughout the festival.
More than a few RGB light displays, this is a chance to get out and connect with friends, family, and Sydney's food and drinks culture through events and installations with innovators and leaders in key categories. The installations will be displayed around the world-famous harbour and stretch eight kilometres from Circular Quay to Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, and Central Station. In this guide, we're again putting together a list of our favourite attractions and things to do at Vivid 2025. Let's take a look!
Vivid Sydney 2025 will run from Friday, 23rd May to Saturday, 14th June 2025. The lights will be switched on at 6 pm every night.
Key locations across hosting Vivid light installations and performances include:
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Rocks
Darling Harbour
Barangaroo
Martin Place
Luna Park
This is a busy event, and we've included some details about how to get there below.
NOTE: Vivid will still go ahead if it rains. However, due to the current weather in Sydney and torrential rain events, some parts of the event may be temporarily closed, according to the official website. Some specific events may also be postponed or cancelled for safety reasons.
Getting There
The best way to attend Vivid is by public transport. You might not be a public transport type of person, but additional services will run throughout the festival, there are road closures, and Uber prices will go through the roof. It's advised to arrive early before the lights are switched on at 6 pm, to avoid congestion, and we also suggest that you leave your car at home due to road closures and parking restrictions.
Here's what's happening with NSW Public Transport services during Vivid Sydney 2025:
Trains : Run regularly to the city on all lines from early morning until late Extra services on weekends Closest stations to the light walk are Central, Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay
: Run regularly to the city on all lines from early morning until late Buses : Run regularly to and from the city on weekdays and weekends Additional services are running on busier nights (weekends)
: Run regularly to and from the city on weekdays and weekends Ferrys : Will get busy, and there are often long queues at wharves We recommend leaving plenty of time to get on the ferry and get home
: Will get busy, and there are often long queues at wharves Sydney Metro : High-frequency and runs between Tallawong Station and Chatswood Station Connect to Sydney's Hills District and North Shore
: High-frequency and runs between Tallawong Station and Chatswood Station Light Rail : Runs regularly on weekdays and weekends in Sydney CBD, South East and Inner West Makes stops within a short walking distance of Vivid Sydney locations
: Runs regularly on weekdays and weekends in Sydney CBD, South East and Inner West
To make the most of your night once you arrive, we've curated a Vivid 2025 walking guide at the end of this article to help you find your way around.
Vivid Sydney 2025 | Image: Supplied
Vivid Sydney 2025 | Image: Supplied
Vivid Sydney 2025 | Image: Supplied
Vivid Sydney 2025 | Image: Supplied
What's New at Vivid Sydney 2025
There are major program changes for Vivid Sydney 2025.
Gone is the drone show, gone is Dark Spectrum in Wynyard Train tunnels, and gone is Lightscape at the Royal Botanic Garden. The Light Walk will return for Vivid Sydney 2025, and there are more food activations around the city, but beyond the celebrity talks and additional lighting setups around Martin Place, it seems there aren't as many things happening.
These are some key highlights for Vivid Sydney 2025 across Light, Food, Music, and Ideas (Events and activations). We've explained them in further detail at the end of this article, including a walking guide to make the most of your time at the event.
Light : Colour the City at ASN Clocktower House of Romance: Dreams Collide at Customs House The Lucid Dream Collective at Challis House Stem at Cadmans Cottage Bloom at Argyle Cut Fantasmagoria at Bond Building Cygnus at Nawi Cove Lumina Dreams at Barangaroo Metro Gardens
: Food : Vivid Fire Kitchen Hollywood Dreaming Luke Nguyen's Dream Mist at Botanic House Nigella Lawson Dreaming Skies FoodLab x Vivid Sydney Native Food Experience at Parliament House
: Music : Tumbalong Nights Vivid Sydney Supper Club
: Ideas (Events) : Stranger Things Firetalk Haus of Horror Dream Logic
:
Remember that these are just a handpicked selection of the new highlights from Vivid 2025, and there are more events at the event than we've outlined here.
House of Romance: Dreams Collide at Customs House | Image: Supplied / Vivid
Free Events and Activations at Vivid Sydney 2025
Light Walk
When: Every night, 23 May–14 June, 6 pm–11 pm
The Light Walk spans eight kilometres, linking Circular Quay to Central Station via The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. Along the way, you'll see large-scale projections across iconic buildings, hands-on installations, and a few surprises tucked into laneways and courtyards. This route is ideal for first-time visitors and a must-do even if you're a Vivid veteran.
Tumbalong Nights
When: Fridays and Saturdays, 23 May–14 June, 6 pm–10 pm
Every weekend of Vivid will see Tumbalong Park become a family-friendly music zone with live DJs, performers, and illuminated sculptures. Kids can take part in the Glow Crew Parade at 7 pm, wearing light-up costumes provided on site. The stage lineup includes emerging local artists with plenty of space for dancing, or you can sit back, relax, with a snack nearby, and enjoy the show.
Sydney Film Festival
When: 4th to 15th June 2025, various sessions from 5 pm
As part of Vivid, the festival hosts a selection of open-air film screenings across Sydney's harbourside precincts. Expect a mix of cult classics, documentaries and short films projected onto outdoor screens at Barangaroo and the Opera House forecourt. Some locations require registration due to limited space, but most sessions are free.
Vivid Fire Kitchen | Image: Supplied / Destination NSW
Vivid Fire Kitchen
When: Daily, 6 pm–10 pm
Set along The Goods Line in Haymarket, Vivid Fire Kitchen combines open-flame cooking with live fire shows. Serve everything from grilled skewers to charcoal-roasted vegetables and desserts like flame-seared churros, the over 20 food stalls are sure to satisfy. And for those that love dinner and a show, check out the nightly demonstrations from guest chefs and fire artists performing beside custom-built pits and sculptures.
Hollywood Dreaming
When: Daily, 6 pm–11 pm
Customs House becomes an open-air cinema, with scenes from well-known films projected onto the building. The Dreaming Marquee, styled like an old movie sign, will no doubt be a popular photo spot. While those looking for nostalgia can enjoy the rotating mix of classic and cult films, screening every night from 8 pm.
Stranger Things: The Experience | Image: Supplied / Luna Park
Ticketed Events and Activations at Vivid Sydney 2025
Stranger Things: The Experience
When: 23 May–14 June, 5 pm–midnight
Where: Overseas Passenger Terminal
Price: from $45
Step into Hawkins, Indiana, with a walk-through experience featuring live actors from the hit Netflix show, 80s-themed sets, and interactive elements like a 'Demogorgon detector.' This is the festival's biggest franchise tie-in and ideal for fans of the show.
In Conversation With Martha Stewart
When: 6 June, 7 pm
Where: Sydney Town Hall
Price: From $95
The lifestyle icon joins the Vivid Ideas program to share insights from her ever-expanding career. Expect straight-talking advice, lessons from her decades-long brand, and a Q&A segment with the audience.
Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally
When: 2 June, 6.30 pm
Where: City Recital Hall
Price: $75
The comedy duo shares stories and reflections in an evening of relaxed storytelling and audience Q&A. Tickets include access to a post-show gathering with themed drinks.
Beyond the Summit With Jimmy Chin
When: 2 June, 6.30 pm
Where: City Recital Hall
Price: $75
Acclaimed mountaineer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin recounts the risks and triumphs of past climbing expeditions, supported by immersive visuals and behind-the-scenes footage.
Pale Jay at Vivid LIVE
When: 5 June, 8 pm
Where: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
Price: $65
Known for his masked persona and genre-mixing style, Pale Jay delivers a visual-heavy live set blending jazz, soul, and lo-fi electronic sounds. Expect moody lighting and layered instrumentals.
Native Food Experience
When: 7 June, 6 pm
Where: Parliament House Courtyard
Price: $90
This ticketed dining experience explores native Australian ingredients through a multi-course menu. Highlights include lemon myrtle kangaroo skewers and wattleseed desserts, with commentary from First Nations chefs and local winemakers.
Butter Beats n Eats: YAWDOESITALL
When: June 14th at 8:30 pm
Where: Butter Surry Hills, 6 Hunt Street Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Price: $22.49
A closing-night party combining hip-hop, street eats and neon décor. Entry includes a set by YAWDOESITALL, food specials, and glow accessories at the door (it's Vivid after all).
Haus of Horror Presents Poltergeist
When: 1 June, 9 pm
Where: Luna Park Phantom Funhouse
Price: $50
'They're here!'
Luna Park's funhouse gets a horror makeover with live scare actors and visuals based on the 1982 film Poltergeist. Expect flashing lights, eerie soundscapes, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.
Lighting of the Sails: Kiss of Light by David McDiarmid | Image: Supplied / Vivid
Must-See Light Installations at Vivid Sydney 2025
The Vivid Sydney light walk stretches nearly eight kilometres from Sydney Opera House to Central Station. Our walking guide below will guide you through the light exhibition along the way, highlighting the best so you don't miss any of the most important stops.
We highly recommend starting at the Sydney Opera House and completing the Light Walk in the stages we've outlined below. You'll need two (or even three) nights to complete the full light walk and see every attraction along the way, but you can comfortably make it from Circular Quay to Barangaroo in two or three nights, depending on fitness levels and size of the crowds.
Soleil Nuit at Alfred Street, Sydney | Image: Supplied / Vivid
Sydney Opera House to Circular Quay
Distance: Less than 1 km
Number of attractions: 5
Must-see light installations along the way:
Our walking map of Vivid Sydney starts from the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Here, you'll struggle to miss the Lighting of the Sails by David McDiarmid, which is projected on the Sydney Opera House. This is one of the largest exhibitions of the event, paying tribute to the artist on the 30th anniversary of his death with seven minutes of his best work, demonstrating how he used irony, humour and fierce intimacy to celebrate diverse gender and sexual identities.
Once you've seen House of Romance: Dreams Collide, Symphony of the Dreaming, and Soleil Nuit, you'll be ready to start the next step of the walking tour, which runs through The Rocks.
BONUS: Martin Place and CBD
Distance: Less than 1 km
Number of attractions: 4
Beams display flowers up the side of Martin Place buildings at Flowers' Power
Projected onto the iconic Commercial Traveller's Association (CTA) building, BioDream is epic
The Lucid Dream Collective transforms a photo of you with AI, adding it to the projection
You'll also find a Glyph here, one of five glowing white LED sculptures around the festival
Martin Place and the Sydney CBD will host a few light attractions for Vivid 2025. New for this year, it's a good place to check out before you continue your journey to Barangaroo or The Rocks. Here you'll find Flowers' Power, which displays cartoon-like flowers that sprout halfway up the buildings of Martin Place. It's surely going to be another favourite for social media content creators, and that means it will be busy, very busy.
King Dingo by Vincent Namatjira on the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia | Image: Supplied / Vivid
Circular Quay, Through The Rocks
Distance: 1.5 km
Number of attractions: 7
Must-see light installations along the way:
Crafted from mirrored, tunnel-like trapezoid-shaped bricks, Emergence will be very popular
First Nations artist Vincent Namatjira will premiere King Dingo, seen in the image above
This interactive installation, Stem, will grow a 'dream-tree' based on the cadence of the voice
Colour The City lights up the ASN Clock Tower with an interactive and community-made projection
You'll find Bloom inside the Argyle Cut tunnel, creating a trance-like display of flora and fauna
Error is a massive, swirling and illuminated disc that appears to hover, and it's hard to miss
Look for the trippy Sweet Dreams installation on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons
Still one of the most popular areas to view the lights at Vivid Sydney, The Rocks is a hub of seven light installations. This includes one of the largest displays of the event, King Dingo by Vincent Namatjira, which will be displayed on the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and will attract a large crowd every night.
There's not much standing room here on the foreshore of the harbour, so if this area is busy, check out nearby installations like Colour The City, Stem, and Bloom in the Argyle Cut tunnel. You'll be able to catch this one on your way through the tunnel to Barangaroo.
Lumina Dream by Ming Zhang | Image: Supplied / Vivid
The Rocks to Barangaroo
Distance: 2.6 km
Number of attractions: 9
Must-see light installations along the way:
While areas like Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt are some of the most popular places to view the Vivid Lights, Barangaroo is home to the largest number of installations, which is good because it's easier to move around and typically not as crowded. Highlights from this area include Cygnus, Lumina Dream, and Fly to the Moon, sure to be a crowd favourite for social media. What's not to like about a giant inflatable moon? Check out the six towering geometric obelisks of Trispheric Garden while you're here.
The Dream Herd | Image: Supplied
Barangaroo to Tumbalong Park
Distance: 2.1 km
Number of attractions: 11
Must-see light installations along the way:
Start your walk at Lumina Dreams near Barangaroo Station, a prism-lined tunnel that shifts colour as you move through it. Head toward the foreshore to find Tunku and Ngaadi, glowing sculptures honouring First Nations cultures, reflected across the water from the Maritime Museum.
As you enter Darling Harbour, Samsung's Space to Dream transforms Cockle Bay with towering digital waterfalls. Above the boardwalk, Entwine suspends 168 LED tubes, while Drawn in Light creates a dynamic chandelier of hand-sketched shapes in motion.
The Cloud Swing is an interactive favourite, encouraging playful group photos. For something sporty, check out Kickit Team Tennis, where players hit glowing balls across a pulsating LED court. Follow the path through the Elysian Collection, a set of glowing corridors, before finishing at Dream Scene, an illuminated maze designed for younger visitors. But that won't stop us adults from having a blast.
Poem Booth | Image: Vivid
Tumbalong Park to Central Station
Distance: 1.3 km
Number of attractions: 3
Must-see light installations and events along the way:
Telephone
Neon Dreams
Starscape Tunnel
Fireplaces
QUASAR
Eye of the Beholder
Begin at Telephone, a glowing booth where picking up the receiver (yes, that's what it was called back in the day) triggers short, poetic voice clips. Then pass through Neon Dreams, a series of curved neon light arches, and continue to Starscape Tunnel, a walkway lined with LED starscapes pulsing in sync with ambient music.
By the Powerhouse Museum, stop at Poem Booth, where AI creates unique verse inspired by the people and activity around it. A few steps ahead, a red neon sign reads 'Humanity,' flickering to occasionally spell 'Humility'. A subtle, yet poignant prompt to pause and reflect.
End your walk with a final visit to Fireplaces in Tumbalong Park. Large flame sculptures and fire barrels add warmth and atmosphere, while Vivid Fire Kitchen nearby serves snacks and drinks to finish your night.
What our experts say: Get in touch with your poetic side at 'Poem Booth' and witness poetry machines powered by Artificial Intelligence translate what they see in front of them into unique pieces of poetry, prompting you to ask what creativity now looks like.
Pass by the Powerhouse Museum and spy a red neon sign 'Humanity' that appears to flicker, switching between the words 'Humanity' and 'Humility'.
Before heading home, catch 'Fireplaces' at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour and Vivid Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line and find giant fire pits, fire sculptures, flame throwers and fire barrels.
Bennelong | Image: Supplied
Places to Eat During Vivid Sydney 2025
Best Restaurants in Circular Quay
If you're hanging around Vivid, then you'll want to check out our list of the best restaurants near Circular Quay. Any of these restaurants on our list offers you a seat at the most picturesque dining locations in Sydney. However, it's not just the views that will grab your attention, this area is a melting pot for some of the best restaurants in Sydney. We've been lucky enough to sample food from all of the restaurants on this list, often thanks to our friends in the industry. And while our round-up includes some fine-dining options that'll blow you away in both flavours and price, we've also done our best to include some value-for-money options for date night.
Best Restaurants in Barangaroo
Head around through The Rocks during Vivid and you'll come across the new dining precinct in Barangaroo. It's home to plenty of cuisine options, with everything from Korean BBQ to great steak and seafood. The Crown dominates the peninsula, however, it's home to some great restaurants, with Nobu, a'Mare, and Woodcut being the standouts for us. If you're looking for a more relaxed fair, check out the list below, which includes Ume Burger, Belle's Chicken, love.fish for all you seafood lovers, and more.
Best Romantic Restaurants in Sydney
Vivid Sydney can be a great excuse for date night, so we've rounded up some of our favourite romantic restaurants in Sydney. Not every restaurant on this list is located in the middle of Circular Quay. However, if you're already in the city, do some bar hopping and make your way into any of these restaurants as you explore the Sydney CBD. If you had to splurge on a special occasion, get your bookings in now for Bennelong (inside the Sydney Opera House) before tables book out.
Cruise Bar | Image: Supplied
Places to Drink During Vivid Sydney
Best Bars in Circular Quay
Hustling and bustling, Circular Quay is home to a great selection of bars, and we've sifted through the best to remove all the tourist traps. Being only a stone's throw from the heart of Sydney's best bar scene in The Rocks, there are plenty of spots to choose from at the end of Sydney Harbour. If you're looking for a quick drink, we can't recommend the cocktails at Double Deuce Lounge enough. However, if you're looking to escape the crowds, head down to Apollonia.
Our list of the Best Bars in Circular Quay
Best Bars in The Rocks
Stepping into The Rocks is like taking a step back in time, both figuratively and literally. There's a bar or pub on every corner, but choosing a list of the best is something of a challenge. In doing so, we've left off the pubs, hotels, and clubs. Instead, we've nailed a list of bars and lounges that specialise in cocktails, drinks, and spirits like our favourite whisky. If you're looking for a quiet place to hang out away from the crowds during Vivid, our list of the best Bars in The Rocks has you covered.
Our list of the Best Bars in The Rocks
Best Bars in Sydney
If you're looking further afield, check out our list of the best bars in Sydney. With plenty of knowledge about all things whisky, beer, and cocktails, our team has ventured into some of the coolest, fanciest, and hard-to-find joints in the harbour city. Of course, having a few friends in the industry means we've been able to explore most of these bars at our own pace, basking in the atmosphere, trying the food on offer, and most importantly, the high level of mixology shown at every bar listed below.
Our list of the Best Bars in Sydney
What is Vivid?
Vivid Sydney is an annual festival that celebrates creativity, innovation and technology. Owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the three-week-long event runs primarily out of the Sydney Opera House, transforming Sydney into a spectacle of colour and light.
Staged for its 15th year in 2025, Vivid Sydney sees activations and installations from the world's brightest light artists, alongside live music performances, discussions with thought leaders, and innovative experiences from food creatives.
Over the full 23-night event, more than 3 million visitors are expected to attend, significantly bolstering the domestic economy and swelling New South Wales' international image.
In 2023, a record 3.48 million people attended the festival from NSW, interstate and around the world, injecting a whopping $206 million into the NSW economy.
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