General
Vivid Sydney, the Asia-Pacific's leading multi-artform festival, transforms Sydney into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation and community connection every winter. Over 23 nights, light installations and 3D projections, music, ideas and food inspire global audiences and drive cultural exchange. Proudly owned and produced by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney showcases NSW's cultural vibrancy and positions it as a global leader in artistic innovation.
Vivid Sydney will return on 23 May - 14 June 2025.
Follow our social channels and sign up to Vivid Newsletter to stay up to date with the latest information and be the first to know about the program updates and festival news .
Yes. The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is free for everyone to enjoy along with many other events and experiences, including Vivid Music’s Tumbalong Kids and Tumbalong Nights, a festival long program of free music under the stars.
There are also a number of ticketed events on the program, some you'll need to register in advance as they have limited spots, and some you'll need to purchase a ticket.
For ticketing queries, please contact the venue directly.
If purchased via Universe, please complete the form here and submit a request with the Universe Help Centre.
Visit
Sydney has a wonderful range of accommodation available from budget options through to five-star stays. To be close to the action, we recommend you stay in The Rocks, Circular Quay, Sydney CBD, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont or North Sydney – our Vivid Sydney blog has several suggestions.
Visit our Deals & Experiences page to find exclusive offers for the festival period on accommodation as well as dining options, events, activities and more.
Destination NSW’s website Sydney.com also contains a wealth of information to help you choose accommodation and find out what else is on offer in Sydney to enjoy during your visit.
If you’re thinking about extending your stay, why not also plan a visit to regional NSW? For inspiration, go to VisitNSW.com.
Public safety is our number one priority. If adverse weather conditions are experienced, some parts of the site may be temporarily closed, or specific events may be postponed or cancelled for safety reasons.
Stay up to date via the Vivid Sydney website and follow Vivid Sydney’s official social media channels before coming to the event.
The free Vivid Sydney Light Walk is very popular and attracts large numbers of people across the 23 nights of the event. Generally, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and the Monday public holiday attract the largest crowds. Those with young families and strollers should consider coming to Vivid Sydney on weeknights when visitor numbers are expected to be lower than the weekends and arrive earlier in the night. Lights On is at 6pm every night.
If you have lost something during Vivid Sydney, the best course of action depends on where the item was misplaced:
- The Rocks & Circular Quay: Visit or call The Rocks Police Station at 02 8220 6399.
- Darling Harbour: Visit or call Darling Harbour Police Station at 02 9265 6499.
- Other precincts or venues: If you lost an item elsewhere, Vivid Sydney recommends contacting the nearest local police station or the venue directly to check their lost property procedures.
If you become separated, please approach the nearest Vivid Sydney volunteer, security guard, or Police Officer for assistance. To help with a quick reunification, police will be involved in the process to ensure all necessary checks are completed.
To make it easier to reconnect, Medical Posts and Volunteer Ambassadors at Information Booths along the Light Walk offer wristbands where parents and guardians can write their contact details. You may also consider giving your child or vulnerable adult a card with your contact information or writing a contact number on their arm.
Vivid Sydney is an incredibly popular event, and as such, dog owners need to ensure they have a good level of awareness of how their dog / animal behaves in crowds and meet their responsibilities under the Companion Animal Act. The City of Sydney has relevant information on its website.
It would also be worth contacting landowners (Placemaking NSW, Port Authority NSW and City of Sydney) to access their guidelines and requirements for dogs at public events. Contact details for each landowner can be found on their website.
The RSPCA is also another authority you can contact for information on dogs and safety. You can find their website at rspcansw.org.au
The Vivid Sydney App is no longer available. To keep up to date with Vivid Sydney, check back on our website, sign up to MyVivid or follow our social channels. Find Vivid Sydney on Facebook , Instagram or TikTok.
Information Kiosks will be open from 6pm to 11pm daily and are situated around Vivid Sydney for the public to obtain directions and information on the program.
Please refer to the interactive map for detailed locations of the Information Kiosks at Vivid Sydney.
Some of the best vantage points are The Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Luna Park, Barangaroo, or by boat on the harbour itself (see our FAQ below on how to experience Vivid Sydney from the water).
Yes. There are locations for accessible viewing.
Read more information on our accessibility facilities and services. You can also download our accessible festival map or toggle the accessibility view on our Interactive Map.
Various charter vessels offer harbour cruises during Vivid Sydney.
Some operators may be offering services via agents, direct sales and online deal websites. We kindly suggest you read all terms and conditions and relevant information before making a purchase. Also please read all information on your ticket including departure times, locations and other conditions.
Please note that Vivid Sydney does not operate any harbour cruises. If you have any questions about a cruise, please contact the operator directly.
You can browse through the list of vessels that are a part of Lights on Sydney Harbour here>
This year, Vivid Sydney will not feature drone shows. Following advice from NSW Police and Transport for NSW, it was determined that the Vivid Sydney drone shows cannot be staged safely as per last year’s format.
In 2025, we’re excited to bring you a diverse and innovative program of Light, Music, Ideas, and Food, with something for everyone to enjoy across the 23-day festival. See the full Vivid Sydney program, inspired by the theme ‘Dream’, here>
Travel and Transport
Extra trains and buses will run on weekends to help you get to and from Vivid Sydney locations. With extensive road closures and parking restrictions in place, it’ll be the easiest way to get to the festival as all locations are easily accessible by public transport.
You can use the Transport For NSW Trip Planner to stay up-to-date with metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail information. You can also use one of the many real-time apps to track your service. Alternatively, you can call the Transport Information Line on 131 500.
You will need a valid Opal card or single-trip ticket to travel on public transport services to Vivid Sydney locations. Top up your Opal card online ahead of time to avoid the queues. You can top up your card via the Opal Travel App, top-up machines or at more than 2,100 retailers.
Alternatively, if you have a debit or credit card which displays the contactless payment symbol, or a card-linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and off at Opal card readers on all public transport services. Adult Opal fare pricing applies, and you will receive Opal benefits, including daily and weekly fare caps.
For more details on Opal card and contactless payment visit transportnsw.info
During Vivid Sydney, road closures and special event clearways will be in effect each night from 3pm – 1am, limiting parking and causing heavy traffic. Many car parks in the Sydney CBD will not be accessible, and parking restrictions will apply on most major roads.
Special event clearways are strict no-parking zones for all vehicles, including local residents and Mobility Scheme permit holders. Vehicles left in clearways will be towed, and a fee applies. If your vehicle is towed, it will be relocated to the nearest available parking space. To locate your vehicle, call the Traffic Information Line on 132 701.
People with accessible requirements are encouraged to contact the Vivid Sydney Access & Inclusion Team at vivid.access@dnsw.com.au for guidance on how best attend Vivid Sydney or read our Access and Accessibility information.
Road closures will be in place in the city each night of the festival. On weeknights, closures will be in place around Circular Quay. On weekends, closures extend into the Sydney CBD.
Anyone attending a Vivid Sydney event is strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and catch public transport as delays on roads are expected, particularly on the weekends.
The road closures are in place to keep pedestrians safe and allow for an enjoyable Vivid Sydney experience. It is an offence to drive on or exit a carpark or driveway onto a closed road until the road has been safely reopened.
Detailed information on road closures, clearways and access is available at vividsydney.com/transport. For real-time traffic conditions and updates visit livetraffic.com, follow @LiveTrafficSyd or download Live Traffic NSW from the App Store or Google Play.
We have several maps that are available to be downloaded including an Accessibility Map and a map of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk. You can download them here> New maps are available each year closer to the festival.
Feedback and Involvement
The Vivid Sydney team welcomes your constructive feedback. To do so, head to Contact Us.
Yes. Vivid Sydney wouldn’t be possible without the support of its incredible team of volunteers. Click here to express your interest in Vivid Sydney 2025. Applications are now live!
Any type of local business can get involved through the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program. The Vivid Sydney Location Business Program for 2025 applications are currently closed. Keep an eye on the Vivid Sydney website and social media channels for updates about opportunities to be involved in the Local Business Program for 2026, or to register your interest for 2026 here.
Expressions of Interest for Vivid Sydney Light, Music, Ideas, Food and cross-artform are currently closed. Keep an eye on the Vivid Sydney website and social media channels for updates about opportunities to be involved in the Vivid Sydney program or register your interest for 2026, please visit the Vivid Sydney Work With Us > page.
From time-to-time Destination NSW does seek quotations for the supply of goods and/or services relating to Vivid Sydney. For current contract opportunities, please visit the Vivid Sydney Work With Us > page.
You can get involved through the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program. The Vivid Sydney Location Business Program for 2025 applications are currently closed. Keep an eye on the Vivid Sydney website and social media channels for updates about opportunities to be involved in the Local Business Program for 2026, or to register your interest for 2026 here.
If you need to contact Vivid Sydney, please visit our Contact Us page.
