Sydney is set to light up in sensational style as the Vivid Sydney festival kicks off for three amazing weeks of sight, sound and ideas from May 25 to June 16.
Spread across some of the most iconic destinations around the city, Vivid Sydney is a light show unlike any other where the city’s most famous sights are the canvas for simply breathtaking works of lighting art.
Here’s an insight into Vivid Sydney and the best vantage points to enjoy the spectacle.
What is Vivid Sydney?
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Vivid Sydney, and it’s a milestone that will be enjoyed with truly breathtaking displays.
First hosted in 2009 at the Sydney Opera House, the event has grown to include harbourside regions like the Rocks, Darling Harbour, Luna Park, Barangaroo, Taronga Zoo, the Royal Botanic Garden and beyond.
The three-week festival is the major event on Sydney’s winter calendar and is recognised as the largest event of its kind in the world combining light, music and ideas.
“Vivid Sydney is where art, technology and commerce intersect,” Vivid Sydney explains.
“The program features large scale light installations and projections (Vivid Light); music performances and collaborations (Vivid Music including Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House); and creative ideas, discussion and debate (Vivid Ideas). All three celebrate Sydney as a creative hub of the Asia-Pacific.”
Last year the 23-day event attracted over 2.3 million people.
Where to experience Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney takes place throughout Sydney Harbour and also extends beyond. The centrepiece of the event will be the sails of the Sydney Opera House which this year will transform into a dynamic digital sculpture inspired by the Australian environment.
Meanwhile, The Rocks, Luna Park, Darling Harbour, Chatswood, Carriageworks, Barangaroo, Kings Cross and for the second year, Taronga Zoo and the The Royal Botanic Garden are also part of this year’s program allowing attendees to truly explore the city by night.
Vivid Sydney notes these areas offer the best vantage points along with Bradfield Park (under the Harbour Bridge at North Sydney), Lavender Bay, or on the harbour itself. The lights come on each night at 6pm and turn off at 11pm, come rain, hail or shine.
Vivid at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour has been part of the Vivid festival for years, offering attendees the opportunity to enjoy this popular, picturesque and historical destination against a backdrop of interactive lighting.
This year’s theme will be Fantastic Oceans, with Cockle Bay the canvas where an epic tale of the underwater world is told.
Vivid Sydney says: “Water features come to life as jelly fish in a fantastic display of colour; special fountains emulate corals and deep-sea flora; lasers ripple like waves of the ocean or etch the silhouette of creatures from the deep. Moving-head lighting technologies emit bright beams of light skyward — like glistening shards of sunlight piercing the surface of this fantastic underwater world. For visitors, a walk through Darling Harbour becomes a dream-like dive into the ocean depths.”
About George’s
Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries. Come share the Greek hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up harbourside dining in simply stunning surrounds.
You can learn more about our function facilities here, or contact us directly for further advice.
