‘What's going on with Vivid?': A dimmer display leaves many disappointed

News.com.au

27-05-2025

Sydney's iconic Vivid festival has returned for its 15th year, but many attendees are finding that the 2025 edition lacks the sparkle of previous years.
In clips posted to social media, people visiting the highly anticipated festival branded this year's rendition as 'boring' and 'overrated.'
One user said they 'Flew across countries to see Vivid for the first time' but were left disappointed with the attraction.
In the video, five tourists can be seen looking unimpressed as they stare at the dimly-lit Harbour Bridge before quickly turning away.
Viewers were quick to agree that this is the 'worst Vivid yet.'
'It feels like they got rid of everything,' said one.
'It was so much better before Covid,' agreed another.
In a second clip, a visitor complained that they 'walked three hours and saw about two things,' as they panned to a scarce crowd around the Opera House.
'It's just a video projection show now. It's no longer a light show. I remember 10 years ago when the buildings and Opera House were lit up with colours,' said one viewer.
'Every year it gets worse than previous years,' said another.
'Good to know this isn't normal. As a tourist, I was like, is this it? This is a festival?,' said a third.
The festival's opening night was marred by heavy rainfall, leading authorities to advise the public to avoid attending due to safety concerns and travel disruptions.
One of the festival's most anticipated events, the drone show, was cancelled this year due to safety concerns and rising costs. Organisers cited the challenges of managing large crowds and the expense of necessary safety measures as reasons for the cancellation.
In another move that sparked controversy, a community kitchen serving Sydney's homeless population was forced to relocate with little notice to make way for a Vivid installation in Martin Place.
Alfresco Community Kitchen — which is based on Phillip Street near Martin Place in Sydney's CBD — was informed by the City of Sydney council via email on Monday that it wouldn't be able to serve at its usual location during the time of the festival.
The group said it had always been able to operate through Vivid for the last four years, saying a move would be difficult to communicate to those in need.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the decision was made for safety reasons and other sites were suggested to the charity, in a post to social media.
However, not all were left unimpressed with the event.
'User error. It's amazing this year!,' said one.
'People say this every year, it's still just as good,' agreed another.
'I'll definitely be going,' said a third.
The festival runs across five 'zones' throughout Sydney – each designed to be its own hub of light, music and food.
In 2023, Vivid introduced two immersive experiences to its famous light-walk, though they didn't come cheap – with adult tickets ranging between $30-$35.
This year, amid the cost-of-living crisis, Vivid has made the entire 8-kilometre light-walk free of charge, as well as a huge 75 per cent of the entire program free.
Sydney Vivid Festival is scheduled to operate until June 14.