Sydney CBD and Surrounds

Short description

It’s all business during the day; smartly dressed office workers bustling along the footpath and taxis zipping down one-way alleys. But at night, the soul of the city awakens and transforms the streets. Unassuming office buildings reveal hidden rooftop bars within, historic laneways pulse with live music and fine dining restaurants serve up cuisine from around the world.

City CBD and Surrounds
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

The CBD is just a few steps from everything central Sydney has to offer – walk to the waterfront at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay; step back in time at The Rocks; stroll through the lush greenery of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park or The Domain; or head for the glittering high rises of Barangaroo.

Branching out from the CBD are some of Sydney’s most diverse and interesting suburbs. Darlinghurst is the heart of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community and home to some of the best after-hours action. Hit up a nightclub along Oxford Street, a small bar in the maze of alleyways or an emerging gallery in a converted warehouse. Redfern and Eveleigh are thriving arts communities with an alternative twist. Ultimo, close to Central Station and Haymarket, is the place for education and ideas with its universities, TAFE, museums and more.

During Vivid Sydney, colourful projections wash central Sydney’s architecture in the glow of lights and vibrant installations pop up in unexpected spaces. Beyond the city’s harbourside heart you’ll find myriad halls, museums and underground spaces humming with music and ideas. 

How to get there: Hop off the train at Town Hall, Wynyard, Martin Place or St James and you’ll be in the middle of the action. The light rail runs from Central Station down George Street all the way to Circular Quay and buses also run regularly into the city from the eastern and western suburbs. The northern end of George Street is a pedestrian thoroughfare, so you can also explore a lot of the CBD on foot.

This is an image of children jumping and enjoying a light installation as part of Vivid Sydney

Light Events

Future Natives

Follow the Vivid Sydney flock along the Light Walk to spot stylised light sculptures resembling our native birds. This 'birdwatching' adventure highlights...

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Future Natives
Location: Sydney CBD and Surrounds Price: Free

Music Events

NECTAR

Local party collective NECTAR are back for an immense night of experimental club music. Dance all night to twisted techno, spacey electro and wonky baselines...

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NECTAR
Location: Civic Hotel Price: From: $35.00

Wavyland

Celebrating five years of unmissable nights and tours, Sydney's WavyLand is throwing a soon-to-be legendary party with their trademark mix of cutting-edge...

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Wavyland
Location: The Metro Theatre Price: From: $80.00

The Factory Party

Three icons of New York nightlife arrive to mix it up with our finest, as curated by local party starters Xaddy’s Door List and Point Productions. A...

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The Factory
Location: Oxford Art Factory Price: From: $40.00

CLUB SERVICE

From Trackwork, the label at the fringes and front lines of Sydney’s rap and club music, comes CLUB SERVICE, a night of top-shelf sets and digital art.  Since...

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Trackwork
Location: The CTA Business Club Price: From: $21.02

JIVA

JIVA is an acronym for 'Joy Is Vital Always'. Transforming the Ivy Courthouse, this euphoric day festival celebrates cultures and musical talent from across...

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Jiva
Location: The Ivy Ballroom Price: From: $50.00

Athletica x Bypass: Thermal Mass

Fusing the visions of two of Sydney’s seasoned party throwers, Athletica and Bypass are joining forces for Thermal Mass, a day-to-night dancefloor showcasing...

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Athletica x Bypass
Location: Flow Studios Price: From: $22.00

SETTINGS™ w/ BAMBII + TOMMY GOLD

SETTINGS™ returns – an event project at the forefront of rap, hip-hop and electronic music, for the fashion and design community in Sydney.  With...

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SETTINGS™
Location: Universal Sydney Price: From: $33.00

NLV Records All Night

Dance all night to the cutting-edge underground club music, rap and hyperpop that’s made NLV Records one of Australia’s most vital and trend-setting...

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NLV Records All Night
Location: Sydney Masonic Centre Price: From: $31.02

Ideas Events

Could the ocean be the solution?

Our oceans are under myriad threats but it's not all bad news. Hear from a group of experts utilising the ocean’s natural powers as a solution, from...

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Photo of Sydney from the ocean
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: Free event - registration required

Sydney in Space

The answers to space's mysteries might be closer to us than we think: what can Earth tell us about the Milky Way and beyond? Join leading scientists...

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Image of space
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: Free event - registration required

Storytelling - It's in our Nature

As global powers stall on climate action, storytelling that can cut through the noise is more vital than ever before. Shake off your eco-anxiety with this...

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Storytelling - Its in our Nature
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: From: $41.01

Natural Footsteps: Ethical Travel

As we return to global travel, what’s the best way to do so? Join nature and travel writer Anthony Ham and writer, literary tour guide leader and avid...

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A female with a camera in a natural, green environment
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: From: $31.02

Full Story

As Guardian Australia celebrates its 10th anniversary, join Full Story host Laura Murphy-Oates, climate and environment editor Adam Morton and guests for...

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Full Story
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: From: $28.04

Bloody Taboos

Whether shrouded in secrecy or deemed too uncomfortable to discuss, plenty of perfectly natural experiences and feelings remain near impossible to talk...

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Bloody Taboos
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: From: $31.02

Cli-mating

Swipe right on love and the planet. This blind date panel is all about finding your sustainability match or 'cli-mate', as comedians and scientists run...

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A heart magnifying class over earth
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: From: $21.02

Monogamy: The Natural Way to Love?

Polyamory, open relationships and other forms of non-monogamy, ethical or otherwise, are enjoying their first real cultural moment in half a century, but...

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Several feet under the covers
Location: Vivid Ideas Exchange - Telstra Customer Insight Centre Price: From: $31.02

Food Events

Vivid Sydney Dinner

The Vivid Sydney Dinner returns to the ivy Ballroom, fusing light, music, ideas and cuisine into a very special feast for the senses. Leading the culinary...

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Vivid Sydney Dinner
Location: The Ivy Ballroom Price: From: $292.09

Vivid Chef Series

Amplifying the energy and innovation at the heart of Sydney's restaurant scene is the Vivid Chef Series. This exciting new culinary experience pairs cutting-edge...

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Chef plating up food
Location: Sydney CBD and Surrounds Price: Free

Vivid Residence

Introducing an unmissable new dining experience: the Vivid Residence. We're bringing one of the world’s most revered chefs to the culinary capital of...

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Vivid Residence
Location: Sydney CBD and Surrounds Price: Free

Play With Your Dinner

At this unique dinner, everything is art and (almost) everything is edible. Chin Chin Sydney Executive Chef Matt Macleod pairs a four-course menu with...

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Play With Your Dinner
Location: Chin Chin Price: From: $165.00

HERE NOW

HERE NOW is a day-to-night festival of abundance, smashing food and wine with music and art to celebrate our most important voices, artists and makers...

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Lots of people
Location: Macquarie Place Park Price: From: $55.15

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