16-07-2025
Seeing Sydney in a 'new light'
Every May since 2009, the Australian city of Sydney in New South Wales will go all out to stage a city-level party.
Vivid Sydney is a light and sound extravaganza which has evolved over the years to become one of the most important events in Australia, as well as an icon of the country's creative culture.
It's embarrassing to say that despite my many trips to the city, I have customarily given Vivid Sydney a miss. Nevertheless, I am aware of what the event entails.
Vivid Sydney blends light-and-sound art with low-carbon technology, used to create a globally impactful art festival.
Today, this festival is a full-scale global level that woos over 3.28 million visitors each year, bringing in an astounding AU$268mil (RM738.5mil) in tourist revenue. And the numbers break new thresholds every year.
The 'main stage' of Vivid Sydney actually comprises the city's most iconic landmarks – the Sydney Opera House, the riverside high-rise towers and the majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge – transformed into glittering, dream-like neon monuments by blinding lights.
Vivid Sydney is indeed a festive celebration everyone must make an effort to attend at least once in their lifetime, on par in scale and grandeur with the Brazilian Carnival (or Carnaval), or Japan's Gion Matsuri.
I can't help but think about Rovaniemi, a tiny Finnish town of only 50,000 residents known for its Santa Claus village that draws close to five million visitors annually.
The magic of tourism nevertheless does not lie with sheer numbers but the creativity and unique cultural vibe, and Vivid Sydney is an exemplary instance of such a magical appeal. It is more than just a short-lived light-and-sound show, but a tinder that creatively lights up the economy, empowers its youth, and bridges the world.
The 15th Vivid Sydney was held over four weekends recently, and I knew I wasn't going to give it a miss this time around. Together with 12 travel buddies, we flew into Sydney, sat in the private balcony of The Quay – one of Australia's top three restaurants – and enjoyed an exquisite omakase dinner prepared by an 18-Hat chef (Australia's equivalent of a Michelin star).
We gazed into the breathtaking spectacular show lighting up Sydney's night sky while savouring our delightful meal.
According to the state tourism agency Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney can be divided into these four broad categories:
The General Post Office and clock tower, built in 1866, is officially listed as a cultural heritage site. It is also a major space for Vivid Sydney.
1. Vivid Light
The Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rock, Darling Harbour and other city landmarks are transformed into massive light monuments, creating a visual impact integrating the best in art and technology.
2. Vivid Music
Featuring local and international artists encompassing a variety of musical styles such as techno, jazz and independent bands. Imagine yourself bumping into an unexpected live show on the street.
3. Vivid Ideas
There are over a hundred forums, talks, and creative workshops held throughout the festival, anchored by designers, tech leaders and social innovators.
4. Vivid Food
This is a festival favourite and continues to grow in excellence. It celebrates the state's vibrant culinary culture and world-renowned produce.
The Sydney Opera House is well-known all over the world, and since 2009, has been a major site for Vivid Sydney.
Vivid Sydney is held in the southern hemisphere's cool early winter, a peak season for outdoor markets and trade shows that coincides with the local fishery and agricultural harvest season. This is absolutely the perfect time to visit Sydney, in my opinion.
I always believe that the success of a creative tourism project should not stop at just triggering 'first visits', but also galvanising 'repeated visits'. For example, Formula One racing, the Harbin Ice & Snow Festival in China, and other events that perfectly blend culture, climate and green tourism.
Where this is concerned, I feel that our 'Visit Malaysia' organisers and stakeholder should perhaps learn something in order to create that wow factor.
Even though I missed last year's Vivid Sydney, I did watch a clip of a black-and-white projection paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth on the exterior wall of the Opera House. I remember it was solemn and heart-moving as the night fell.
This year's event featured generous quantities of Indigenous artworks and local creations. They relate the stories of this v ast land Down Under through captivating visuals, sound and light display.
Creative tourism is not about gaudy display of technology but serves as an extension of the locality's culture and revival of local memories.
Our trip was not just about being at the festival and snapping photos or capturing videos. It gave us an interesting experience that penetrated deep into Sydney's urban fabric.
When the night fell, Vivid Sydney not only had the city's buildings brightly lit up, but the passion and imagination of its participants as well. The laughter, melodies, good food, the entire city was brought back to life instantly.
Vivid Sydney painted the city's unique creative proclamation with dazzling light against the backdrop of the night sky.
The success of Vivid Sydney stakes the claim that the festival is not just a tourism marketing gimmick but an expression of the city's culture, driving the local economy and deepening the city's sense of identity.
Vivid Sydney has surely placed the city on the world map of creativity.
The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.
Leesan, the globe-trotting traveller who has visited seven continents and 149 countries, enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored six books.
