Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is the symbol of modern Australia. It is one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres, the nation’s premier tourism destination and an architectural masterpiece of the 20th century.
A global beacon for creativity, it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and its social value has been estimated by Deloitte at $11.4 billion. Its broad and diverse programming attracts audiences in person and online, with more than 16 million people attending performances and tours over the past decade. In its ambition to be Everyone’s House, the Sydney Opera House continues to evolve alongside the community it was built to serve.
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Getting there
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Walk | 6 mins from Circular Quay |
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Train | Circular Quay Station (weekdays) and Wynyard Station |
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Bus | Young St for Circular Quay |
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Ferry | Ferries run regularly to and from Circular Quay |
During Vivid Sydney, the Sydney Opera House’s iconic sails become one of the festival’s brightest canvasses, lighting up each night with a captivating signature work. The Lighting of the Sails is co-curated by the Sydney Opera House and Destination NSW and is one of their most significant free events.
Under the sails, Vivid LIVE is the annual centrepiece of the Sydney Opera House’s year-round contemporary music program and forms part of Vivid Sydney's Music program – a whole-of-House takeover and the only time of year the world-famous venue is completely reimagined by live contemporary music and art, celebrating cutting-edge and legendary artists that defy expectations and break new ground.
Curated for the eleventh time by Sydney Opera House’s Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall, Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House will feature international cult favourites, local trailblazers and influential culture-shapers in Australian exclusives, premieres, an epic orchestral collaboration, one-off projects, anniversaries and Studio Parties.
Light Events
Lighting of the Sails: Opera Mundi
Renowned French multimedia artist Yann Nguema, known for his mesmerising projections onto significant buildings around the world, brings his unique fusion...
Music Events
La Haine | Vivid LIVE Film
La Haine takes place over 24 hours following the police shooting of a young man from a deprived housing estate, and shows the world through the eyes of...
Studio Party by Mad Racket Feat. Kai Alcé (US), Lovie (US), Simon Caldwell, Jimmi James & Ken Cloud | Vivid LIVE
Beloved Sydney selectors and Vivid LIVE institution Mad Racket are back at the Sydney Opera House with another huge night of deep dancefloor euphoria...
Current Joys (Surf Curse's Nick Rattigan) | Vivid LIVE
As prolific as he is eclectic, the multi-talented, Nevada-born singer-songwriter Nick Rattigan has charted a course through lo-fi bedroom pop and experimental...
Gil Scott-Heron by Brian Jackson & Yasiin Bey | Vivid LIVE
As part of their 15th year takeover, Sydney tastemakers Astral People are excited to present a world-first celebration of the inimitable Gil Scott-Heron...
Jem Cassar-Daley | Vivid LIVE
Returning to the Sydney Opera House after her captivating Forecourt performance with Dan Sultan in 2025, award-winning singer-songwriter and indie pop...
Derrick Gee's Radio Hour | Vivid LIVE
A cult tastemaker whose wit and wisdom are shaping the way audiences discover and listen to music, Sydney DJ and internet personality Derrick Gee took...
3NDLES5 presents Erika de Casier with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra & Yawning Portal | Vivid LIVE
Event sold out.One of the most influential pop artists of the moment, Portuguese-born, Danish-based singer-songwriter Erika de Casier has quietly become...
Shortwave x Soft Centre | Vivid LIVE Film
Curated in collaboration with Soft Centre, an artist-led platform which activates experimental and interdisciplinary works across sound, digital media...
TR/ST | Vivid LIVE
Fusing swooning synth-pop, confessional darkwave and anthemic emotion, TR/ST is the musical project of Winnipeg-born, Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter...
Party Dozen | Vivid LIVE
From burning up the city’s underground scene to unleashing their wild, visceral energy on the global stage, Sydney noise rock duo Party Dozen have come...
Food Events
Saltbush & Starlight
Experience the Sydney Opera House in a completely new light, via an exclusive guided tour followed by a show-stopping three-course dinner from First Nations...
Culture in Motion: Mindy Woods & Danielle Alvarez
Highlighting Byron Bay in a multi-sensory feast as part of the Regional Dinner Series, Bundjalung woman and culinary powerhouse Mindy Woods (Karkalla...
