Blog

This year, Vivid Sydney invites you to dream – to leave what you know behind and enter a city transformed by Light, Music, Ideas and Food. For Vivid Sydney festival director Gill Minervini, that invitation is personal.  “Everything starts with a dream,” she says. “A wish, a spark, an idea. Dreams are borderless, ageless, and endless – and this year’s program is full of experiences that tap into that universal magic.” 

Now that Vivid Sydney 2025 is on the horizon, get ready for the most imaginative, thought-provoking and visually stunning festival yet. From 23 May to 14 June, Sydney will transform into a dreamscape of surreal experiences and captivating events, as we explore this year’s theme: ‘Dream’. 

Vivid Sydney 2025 is all about dreams – as Light, Music, Ideas and Food converge to transform our city this winter and ignite bigger, bolder and broader thinking.   With driverless trains running every four minutes at peak times and fully accessible stations designed for prams, wheelchairs and festivalgoers of all walks of life, the Metro is the best way to glide through the glow of Vivid Sydney. 

Why rush home from work this winter when Vivid Sydney is transforming the city into a dreamscape of surreal experiences and fascinating events?   Not only are you already in the city, but weeknights are also the perfect time to visit the festival – the crowds are lighter than the weekends, restaurants are easier to book and you can explore everything at a more relaxed pace. Whether you're after a delicious meal, an awe-inspiring experience or a late-night adventure, we've got your weeknight plans sorted. 

From 23 May to 14 June, Vivid Sydney returns to ignite creativity, spark wonder and celebrate the festival theme ‘Dream’ across Light, Music, Ideas and Food.   Over 23 nights, activations, projections, gigs, performances, talks and food will converge across five vibrant festival zones. The best part? Over 75% of the Vivid Sydney program is free for you to experience. Below find our guide to our top free Vivid Sydney events.    

Vivid Sydney is for everyone – especially kids! Whether it’s dancing under the stars at Tumbalong Nights, exploring dreamy light installations or indulging in global flavours at Vivid Fire Kitchen, there’s something magical for the whole family.  

Every year, Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival of Light, Music, Ideas and Food, transforms the city into a vibrant hub of creativity, imagination and technology. Over 23 nights, Sydney is reimagined through boundary-pushing installations, world-class performances, thought-provoking talks, and exclusive dining experiences. In 2025, the festival theme of ‘Dream’ invites you to step into a world of possibility, wonder and inspiration. 

It’s almost time for the skies above Circular Quay to be painted with 700+ drones for Love is in the Air, this year’s heart stopping drone show. Universal symbols of love will light up the night on the 8, 9 and 15 June at 9.10pm – it’s one of the festival’s most popular events so read on below to make the most of this stunning show directed by our Vivid Sydney Festival Director, Gill Minervini.

As Vivid Sydney 2024 lights up Sydney again for 23 nights of brilliance, the city welcomes some incredible installations to the harbour foreshore. This year, prepare to be wowed by light projections and installations that are truly larger than life, both in terms of size but also imagination and ambition. Evoking a sense of wonder and awe, these works are amongst some of the biggest we’ve ever showcased at Vivid Sydney. Read on below for our top picks of the large-scale light works that you can’t miss.

As Vivid Sydney returns in 2024, we continue our tradition of celebrating the world's oldest continuing culture with an electrifying line-up of First Nations talent. This year, we've gone further to spotlight these incredible artists across our Light, Music, Ideas and Food pillars, from the atmospheric stages of Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House to brilliant nights under the stars at Tumbalong Park, we’re excited to celebrate Country and Culture this year.

Drone owners are reminded to leave their drones at home to ensure they’re not accidentally using them in an unauthorised way or impacting the safety and enjoyment of other attendees. Strict drone safety regulations Drone safety is a top priority during Vivid Sydney. There will be strict enforcement of drone safety regulations throughout the festival to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

From wonder-inducing light displays, thought-provoking discussions and experiences, music that moves, and the best of the world's cuisines, Vivid Sydney offers full sensory immersion.