Radiant and shimmering with possibilities, Vivid Sydney lights up the Harbour City from May 22 to June 13 for 23 nights of innovative culture, technology and creativity. With an engaging, accessible arts program that transforms Sydney into a beacon of Light, Music, Minds and Food, Vivid Sydney has something for everyone. Expect awe-inspiring public art, unforgettable concerts, inspiring talks and extraordinary dining experiences, alongside street parties, stand-up comedy, immersive adventures and more. 

Start planning your escape now: explore the full program, then go beyond with our inside guide to where to eat, stay and play during Vivid Sydney. 

For top-notch sustainable seafood, look no further than love.fish, a relaxed waterfront  restaurant. Or take your pick of smart casual dining across cuisines with charming Turkish mezze bar Anason, stylish Spanish tapas at Born by Tapavino or Mumm Maam’s authentic Thai. 

Barangaroo House offers three levels of great vibes, between the breezy ground-level House Bar, Level 1’s Japanese-inspired restaurant and vinyl bar Redoko and rooftop Smoke Bar, where you can soak in Vivid Sydney’s sights with cocktails and share plates. 

For fine-dining, a’Mare pairs timeless Italian recipes with fresh Australian produce at Crown Towers. The hotel is also home to the world-renowned Nobu and Sydney’s Cantonese institution Golden Century. 

Barangaroo Reserve transforms into a flame-cooked feast with Vivid Fire Kitchen, with something new to see, experience and eat every night of Vivid Sydney. Expect open-fire cooking demonstrations, talks, tastings and pop-ups from Mark Best, Annita Potter and more Australian culinary talent.  

Head over to the nearby South Eveleigh, a recently revitalised dining precinct in converted railway sheds. Grab a quick bite at North Sandwich & Burger or Fishbowl; sit down for a hearty bowl of Pho from Eat Fuh or enjoy a modern twist on Thai at Pepper Seeds.  

The Grounds Coffee Factory offers café classics and high tea alongside coffee tasting menus, roastery tours and more. 

For a different kind of brew, Mountain Culture pours up sours, pilsners, stouts and more – including the Status Quo Pale Ale, awarded the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer award four years in a row.  And the massive BrewDog comes complete with a taproom, bar and epic beer garden serving more than 40 craft beers on tap. Carriageworks Farmers’ Market is an excellent way to start your weekend, with still-warm baked goods, coffee and brunch options alongside fresh produce from 8am–1pm each Saturday. 
 

Circular Quay offers several Sydney lunchtime favourites, perfect for those exploring Vivid Day-Light's sculptures and installations. Fuel up with A.P. Bakery’s pastries, spit-roasted sandwiches and rotisserie meals, Humble Bakery’s baguettes, focaccias and mini finger-buns, plus Bahn mi from Marrickville Pork Roll. 

Gateway Sydney offers something for everyone, a vibrant dining precinct with more than 30 casual eateries and dine-in restaurants. Hinchcliff House offers a range of unique venues including Lana, Grana, Martinez, underground bar Apollonia, and pasta and deli BAR MAMMONI. Mary’s Underground offers lobster and steak frites into the late night, perfect for a post Light Walk feast. For a sleek nightcap, head to Bar Pantera, winner of Best Bar Design in the 2025 Word 50 Best Bars. 

For dinner under the Sydney Opera House sails, it’s hard to imagine a more iconic spot than Opera Bar – and where better to watch the Vivid Sydney lights over the Harbour?  
 

Step back in time for a G&T inside Frank Mac’s, with 1840s-era sandstone walls and charming table service. New venue Canvas Restaurant, based at the Museum of Contemporary Art, is the perfect spot to take in Vivid Sydney. Take your kids to Pancakes on The Rocks for an Americana take on the classic pancake, open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. An elevated Greek Taverna, Jimmy’s Kitchen Bay Nine serves up succulent slow-cooked lamb, fresh seafood and classic mezze. For an unforgettable steakhouse experience, The Cut Bar & Grill combines heritage with modern elegance. 

After something more casual? Stroll through The Rocks Markets (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-9pm) to discover a maze of culinary delights from authentic street food and gourmet goodies to take home. 

Fratelli Fresh offers fresh and fast family-friendly pizza and pasta — what's not to love? Fancy a late-night drink? Head to Lumière on Thirty Five, the Sofitel’s late night bar option (open 8pm-1am). Darling Square is a buzzing precinct for Asian deliciousness: dumplings, noodles, bubble tea and dessert. It’s also home to Pumphouse Sydney, a converted water pumping station that pairs industrial design with craft beers, a dedicated wine room and a terrace that doubles as a garden oasis. 

Close to Cockle Bay, SMiZE & DREAM serves up scoops of their viral “hot SMiZE Cream” alongside equally playful, innovative ice-cream flavours. Offering refined Japanese-Italian dishes via four-course lunches and an eight-course dinner, fine diner LuMi Dining sits atop Wharf 10, opposite The Star. 

Heading to Tumbalong Nights? Fuel up for free concerts from Matt Corby, Mallrat and more with Vivid Food’s selection of pop-up eats, from wood-fired pizza to Tokyo Taco’s bold fusion of Mexican and Japanese flavours alongside a bar pouring NSW wines and beers. 

Elegance and attention-to-detail are assured at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, a historic, refined and recently revitalised five-star stay next to Martin Place. Crown Sydney and Langham Sydney offer five-star service and prime access to Vivid Sydney locations Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. For twinkling harbour panoramas and full views of the Vivid Sydney lights, waterfront Park Hyatt or Shangri-La at The Rocks are unbeatable. 

W Sydney rises up in the centre of Darling Harbour, overlooking the Vivid Light Walk including Star-Bound, as well as Laser Lightfall, this year’s spectacular Drone and Laser Shows. 

For an urban oasis, check out Capella Sydney: a heritage-listed sandstone building transformed into a five-star stay, winning a spot on the 2025 World’s Top 50 Hotels list. 

If you’re travelling with kids, Sydney offers plenty of excellent accommodation options. Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour makes the perfect base to explore Vivid Sydney along the waterfront, as well as being conveniently located to many family-friendly food options. Nestled on the edge of Hyde Park, the four-star Song Hotel Sydney’s Deluxe Family room is perfect for families of five. Right near Central Station, Rydges Sydney Central is sleek, modern and no-fuss.  

Head across the bridge and settle in for a slumber party with the animals at Taronga Zoo – their wildlife safari tents look out on the illuminated Sydney Harbour.  

Hip neighbourhood Surry Hills has several designer-driven boutique hotels, including ultra-trendy Ace Hotel Sydney, the Paramount House Hotel with 29 unique rooms, and the bold and bright ADGE Hotel + Residencies. In Chippendale, The Old Clare Hotel tempts with a luxurious rooftop pool.  

If waterfront is what you seek, check into one of Hotel Palisade’s eight guestrooms (some featuring Bridge views) or get even closer to the icon at Pier One Sydney. 

The 25th Biennale of Sydney transforms the White Bay Power Station with contemporary art, under this year’s theme of ‘Rememory’ (until Sunday 14 June). Discover more of the Biennale at the Art Gallery of NSW, alongside the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize finalists, and Mike Hewson’s underground “art park” for all ages, complete with swings, sauna and a barbecue.  

Contemporary Chinese art awaits at Chippendale’s free White Rabbit Gallery, or dive into the world of influential First Nations artist Tony Albert with Not a Souvenir at the MCA Australia. 
 

For more insight into Sydney’s colonial past and a taste of local beers in some of The Rocks historic pubs, head off on one of Dave’s Pub Tours. The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour, by Dreamtime Southern X, will explore the story of the Gadigal people, and how their culture originated from the land you walk on. 

As the sun sets, be mesmerised by Vivid Sydney’s lights reflecting across the water with a 60-minute evening cruise of the harbour with Fantasea or see brilliance from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney. On the ground, learn how to capture the beautiful Vivid Sydney lights with Picture Me Sydney.