Local Business Program

Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere's leading multi-artform festival, transforming Sydney into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation and technology.

Attracting domestic and international visitors, it fuels economic growth while fostering a cultural celebration across Light, Music, Ideas and Food. Inspired by the theme “Dream”, this year’s festival invites all to explore a world of imagination and shared inspiration. Owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency. Vivid Sydney showcases NSW's cultural vibrancy, positioning the state as a global leader in artistic innovation.

Visit vividsydney.com to discover all the exciting events at Vivid Sydney - the full program will be announced in March. Plus stay connected and up to date by following us on social media at @vividsydney.

You will be able to enjoy and experience Vivid Sydney across 23-days and nights. Vivid Sydney is on every night from 6pm until 11pm, from 23 May to 14 June 2025. Please keep in mind that the festival’s busiest nights are expected to be each Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and every night of the June long weekend.

If you're interested in getting involved with Vivid Sydney, the Local Business Program offers valuable support and benefits for businesses within and around the festival footprint. The program has three application tiers, each offering unique opportunities. Please review the Terms and Conditions, explore each tier, and apply for the one that best suits your business.

Applications open on 2 December 2025 and close at 5.00pm (AEST) on 11 April 2025 and will be evaluated by the Vivid Sydney team. All applicants will be notified of their application outcome and the next steps, week commencing 14 April 2025.

No. Share how your business contributes to the local community and supports Sydney’s night-time economy. This is your opportunity to showcase your signature products, services, and exceptional customer experience. Please read the Terms and Conditions for more information on each tier criteria.

Participation in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program does not imply inclusion in or endorsement by the official Vivid Food Program. Businesses in the Local Business Program are recognised as participants in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program but are distinct from the Vivid Food Program, which has a separate Expression of Interest, selection process and criteria.

To participate in Local Business Program, your business must operate each night from Monday to Sunday between 6 pm and 11 pm, be located within the designated Vivid Sydney boundary (see map for details), and be a registered business with an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), or an international equivalent.

To participate in the Local Business Program, your business must be located within the designated boundary map.

Yes. Businesses outside the boundary can still showcase their products or services by visiting VisitNSW.com and adding your business through a listing on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) website. By applying for a listing on ATDW, your business can gain visibility on Sydney.com and VisitNSW.com and connect with a broader audience.

Businesses interested in illuminating their building façade in synchronisation with Vivid Sydney’s lighting activation, can apply to Tier 3 of the Local Business Program and be a part of the ‘Our Connected City Program’.

Cruise vessels interested in illuminating their vessel in synchronisation with Vivid Sydney’s lighting activation, can apply to Tier 2 of the Local Business Program and be a part of the ‘Lights on Sydney Harbour’ Program.

If you’re not interested in lighting up your vessel, but still want to be a part of the Local Business Program, please apply for Tier 1.

Participation in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program does not imply inclusion in or endorsement by the official Vivid Sydney Program. Businesses in the Local Business Program are recognised as participants in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program but are distinct from the Vivid Sydney Program, which has a separate Expression of Interest, selection process and criteria.

The Local Business Program tiers have been designed to suit different types of businesses. We recommend applying for one tier only to suit your requirements.

We will promote your business to our engaged audience, and selected businesses will receive access to free Vivid Sydney Local Business program assets, including a round LED screen, window decals and digital toolkit.

Participating businesses enjoy valuable exposure, including a listing on the Deals & Experiences webpage on the Vivid Sydney website. Using the provided digital toolkit, businesses can create their own promotional content following guidelines and suggested captions. All Vivid Sydney marketing and communications material created from the toolkit must be submitted for approval prior to going live, at vividsydney.com/approvals.

Participants in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program are not permitted to use the Vivid Sydney logo. Please use the "Proud Participant in Vivid Sydney Local Business Program" graphic device provided in the official social media toolkit. Non-compliance with this requirement may result in the removal of any non-compliant material from Vivid Sydney’s social media channels and promotional platforms.

When submitting your application for the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program, you will be required to provide a catchy title, a business description, an image, and your location. Please ensure you follow the instructions outlined in the application form. For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact our team at vividlocalbusiness@dnsw.com.au.

Please click here for an example.

Applications close at 5.00pm (AEST) on 11 April 2025 and will be evaluated by the Vivid Sydney team. All applicants will be notified of their application outcome and the next steps, week commencing 14 April 2025.

If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team at vividlocalbusiness@dnsw.com.au.