Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, which transforms Sydney for 23 days and nights. In 2024, for its 14th year, Vivid Sydney fused art, innovation and technology in collaboration with some of the most boundary-pushing artists, thinkers, musicians and culinary experts of our time.
Mark the dates 24 May – 15 June 2024 in your calendar and explore the program of Light, Ideas, Music and Food, united by this year’s artistic direction, "Vivid Sydney, Humanity".
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency.
2024 Artistic Direction
Vivid Sydney, Humanity
We need each other more than ever before. Facing an ever-changing world and times we don’t recognise, our search for meaning and purpose has taken on a new urgency. We only need to look inside ourselves to find who we are and what we are capable of. Look inside to find those things that make us human – love, kindness, compassion, creativity - humanity.
Humanity - human race, humankind, human nature.
Humanity is the key to our future, to discovering the answers that determine our way forward. To reimagining a world without boundaries, discrimination or inequality - a world full of people who work together, with kindness, empathy and creativity, with a shared tomorrow in mind.
Creativity and imagination are what makes us human. Helping us understand and respond to our world and value diversity – broadening our perspective and challenging our preconceptions. Human creativity allows us to develop technology, solve problems and produce innovative solutions.
Since time began, creativity has brought us together and we continually invent ways to express ourselves. As humans we are connected through story, art, music, food and many other means of creative expression. Throughout time we have gathered to share what our imaginations can conjure – to convey our differences and commonalities.
Creativity helps us develop strong communities, sustainable environments and intellectual freedom. It is the backbone of the human condition. Art gives us meaning, improves our quality of life and makes us feel good – it opens our minds to new ideas – for now and the future.
Without creativity, humanity cannot survive. We need to encourage it, embrace it and celebrate its inextricable link with the human race. We need to be better humans, to create a world that values our people and our planet – a world that encourages human creativity for good. A world for us all.
In 2024 Vivid Sydney celebrates humanity. Everyone is invited to the world’s most beautiful city to connect, create and participate. To come together as people for change – to share experiences and stories through light, music, ideas and food. We welcome you to be part of this unique global event that embraces creativity, innovation and technology for the greater good.
Vivid Sydney 2024 explores what makes us human and how we can make a better world, together.
Gill Minervini
Festival Director
VIVID LIGHT
Invigorating the city of Sydney with awe-inspiring art installations and 3D light projections, Vivid Light transforms our urban environment into a kaleidoscopic wonderland.
In 2023, Vivid Sydney’s free Light Walk was a massive 8.5km adventure covering Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Darling Quarter, The Goods Line and Central Station. With 60 light attractions, including 26 international works and our largest installation to date, The Last Ocean by American artist Jen Lewin.
In 2023, Light also took over Taronga Zoo with Wild Lights and The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney with Lightscape, the world-famous spellbinding 2.1km experience arriving to Sydney for the very first time. Plus, Dark Spectrum opened up Wynyard Station's secret tunnels to the public for a one-off experience unlike anything previously seen at Vivid Sydney.
VIVID MUSIC
Music is place-making, it’s community building. It forms a thread that connects us to our natural urban environments, our families, our stories, our sense of belonging. In 2023, Vivid Music elevated artists and truth-tellers to the world stage, shining as precious lights, beacons of togetherness and hope.
Vivid Music is proud to spotlight First Nations voices, whose songs have connected the oldest continuous living culture to Country for over 60,000 years. 2023 saw acts including Yothu Yindi, Ziggy Ramo, Emma Donovan, Budjerah and many more.
We embraced our urban and natural environments, with 23 nights of free live music at Tumbalong Park, roaming artists across the Light Walk, DJs at The Goods Line and shows across our iconic venues and landmarks, including Carriageworks and, as part of their Vivid LIVE series, the Sydney Opera House. Ticketed gigs included late night cabaret at the Vivid Sydney Supper Club at Mary’s Underground, A Bend in the River: A Tribute to Archie Roach AC and international acts José González, Yaeji and Cat Power.
VIVID IDEAS
Human beings are capable of great brilliance, innovation and creativity and yet we are in turbulent times. We need to re-think our relationship with the natural world and build a more sustainable future. Vivid Ideas returned in 2023 to challenge our ‘natural’ ways of thinking, whether by shining a spotlight on underrepresented communities and those using their creativity for positive change, offering cultural counterpoints to the mainstream, or creating one-of-a-kind immersive experiences. Focussing on what really matters – community, authenticity, respect, love and what we can learn from the natural world.
The 2023 Ideas program featured iconoclast and renowned author Jeanette Winterson, experimental psychologist Jesse Bering and many more.
VIVID FOOD
Vivid Sydney proudly announced the addition of a new pillar in 2023 – Vivid Food. Food is an integral part of our culture and the perfect complement to our program of Light, Music and Ideas. As the culinary capital of Australia, Sydney has world-class hatted chefs, restaurants, producers and venues and Vivid Food is all about celebrating those that make our food scene so special.
AN AWARD-WINNING FESTIVAL
Vivid Sydney has been recognised by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) and won 14 medals at the 2022 IFEA Pinnacle Awards. Vivid Sydney was also voted Australia’s Best Tourism Event in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event in 2017 and 2019 in the Australian Event Awards.
At the 2022 Australian Event Awards and Symposium Vivid Sydney 2022 won in the Achievement (National) category for Best Public Event 2022.
