Vivid Sydney

24

May

15

Jun

Humanity

Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney will illuminate Darling Harbour with art, light, creativity and exploration united by this year's artistic direction, 'Vivid Sydney, Humanity.'

When

Friday,

24 May 2024

Saturday,

15 Jun 2024

Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest festival of light, music, ideas, and food. Held from 24 May – 15 June 2024, Vivid Sydney invites visitors to step outside the every day into nights full of wonder.

Vivid Sydney 2024's theme Humanity invites us to look inside to find those things that make us human - love, kindness, compassion and creativity. Observe awe-inspiring light art; tune in to heartfelt music performances; expand your universe through fascinating conversations; and taste the diversity of the city.

Whether you're a photography enthusiast, art lover, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure with the family, Vivid Sydney at Darling Harbour is a must-see event.

Looking for the best way to get around Darling Harbour? Discover the best route to view all the Vivid Sydney light installations & experiences on the Light Walk Map.

Highlights

Vivid Food

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Fire up your taste buds at Vivid Sydney Fire Kitchen the hottest new addition to the Vivid Sydney festival in Darling Harbour! The Goods Line will transform into a fiery haven, where international and local pitmasters showcase their flame-wielding talents.

Vivid Music

Tumbalong Nights

Immerse yourself in the heart of Vivid Sydney at Tumbalong Park. This vibrant music festival hub comes alive with a stellar line-up of free live music across 12 nights, showcasing the best international and local talent.

Vivid Lights

Hika Rakuyo

Be mesmerized by Hika Rakuyo, a breathtaking light and laser display inspired by a Japanese concept on transience. Watch a captivating story of native Australian flowers bloom across the night sky in an eight-minute holographic light and laser show.

Vivid Music

Vivid Kids

Round up the little ones and start your Light Walk journey in Tumbalong Park at 5pm each Saturday during the festival as the stage lights up with FREE children’s acts ahead of a night of live music.

Vivid Food

Atelier Dining Experience

Witness the magic of Vivid Sydney from a front-row seat as Atelier by Sofitel Darling Harbour invites you to a truly unforgettable evening. Indulge in a specially curated four-course French-inspired menu, featuring the finest produce from leading NSW suppliers.

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Embark on a culinary adventure to experience global fire feasts ignite at this years Vivid Fire Kitchen

Fire up your taste buds at Vivid Sydney Fire Kitchen the hottest new addition to the Vivid Sydney festival in Darling Harbour! The Goods Line will transform into a fiery haven, where international and local pitmasters showcase their flame-wielding talents.

Find Out More

Vivid Light Walk

Barani

Step back in time to Warrane, a.k.a Sydney Cove, 500 years ago. A time long before the Anthropocene. A time when humans and nature lived in harmony. BARANI offers a bittersweet narrative, rich with historical and cultural significance, and a new way to see the land on which we stand today.

Hika Rakuyo

Be mesmerized by Hika Rakuyo, a breathtaking light and laser display inspired by a Japanese concept on transience. Watch a captivating story of native Australian flowers bloom across the night sky in an eight-minute holographic light and laser show.

Humanity/Humility

A large, red neon word, Humanity, punctuates the darkness of night at The Goods Line. The sign flickers as if broken, but upon closer inspection we see it intentionally but nearly imperceptibly switches between the word ‘Humanity’ and ‘Humility’.

Neolithic

A blaze of lights above. A reverberating beat. A structure both ancient and modern. Welcome to Neolithic. It’s time to dance to the music from nearby Tumbalong Stage, wander through time and space and gaze above.

Neuron

Peek inside the most mysterious, powerful, and wonderous structure in the world – your very own brain. Neuron is a motion-triggered light installation that represents our neurons and their branches at large scale. These strange yet beautiful sculptures are crafted from translucent material and LED light filaments and are motion responsive.

Omnivisu

Step up to our Omnivisu view finder in Tumbalong park, where two cameras film your eyes before projecting them onto a distant building. Gaze up as you peer at your own eyes surveying the Vivid Sydney action from on high.

Poem Booth

Prepare to engage with the form in a new way, as you stand in front of The Poem Booth. Several poetry machines, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), translate what they see in front of them into unique pieces of poetry.

Tumbalong Nights

Immerse yourself in the heart of Vivid Sydney at Tumbalong Nights. This vibrant music festival hub comes alive with a stellar line-up of free live music across 12 nights, showcasing the best international and local talent.

View The Program

Vivid Kids

Who said the adults should have all the fun? Round up the little ones and start your Light Walk journey in Tumbalong Park at 5pm each Saturday during the festival as the stage lights up with FREE children’s acts ahead of a night of live music.

View The Program

More To See & Do

Cockle Bay Wharf

As One: Uncover Your Belonging

Unite and celebrate your shared humanity at "As One." Explore a vibrant artwork that illuminates the power of connection at Cockle Bay Wharf

Madame Tussauds

Illuminate Sydney

Step through the curtains and be transported to Madame Tussaud's exclusive Illuminate party. Watch Sydney transform with light as you rub shoulders with some of Australia’s biggest names and the world’s hottest celebrities.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Life In Another Light

Go on a journey through the underwater world at SEA LIFE Sydney's glowing jelly lab and make bioluminescent waves at ‘moonlight beach’; an illuminating experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Darling Square

Light Up Your Night

Get ready to be dazzled! This Vivid Sydney, The Exchange Building in Darling Square is transforming into a wonderland of light

Pyrmont Bay Park

Maho Magic Bar

Enjoy a multi-sensory and interactive experience in a glittering Tokyo night setting at Maho Magic Bar!

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Night Creatures

Discover the hidden creatures that roam under the starlit sky and learn how they navigate life at night at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

ANMM

Night Kayak Tour

Join the team from Sydney Harbour Kayaks on a very special 90 minute night-time sea kayaking tour

Immersive Gamebox Sydney

Vivid Sydney Special Sale

Get together with your friends or family and save 30% on all games after 3pm during Vivid Sydney!

Eats, Treats, and Feasts

Fratelli Fresh

Fratelli Up In Lights

At Darling Harbour, Fratelli Fresh is even bringing Vivid Sydney into their doors, with over 60 lights and neon fixtures decorating the venue, giving you a light show while you eat!

Cockle Bay Wharf

Harbourside Sips

Visit Cockle Bay Wharf for an illuminating line up of specially curated humanity inspired cocktails and mocktails from all your favourite venues.

Planar Restaurant

Humanity Inspired Sips

Celebrate with fun lights and creative drinks that are inspired by Vivid Sydney's main theme Humanity. Sip on delicious cocktails crafted with this years theme in mind while overlooking the stunning harbour and incredible light display Hika Rakuyo.

Pumphouse Sydney

Sip The Elements

Ignite your senses and bend the elements at Pumphouse Sydne. Their fire, earth, water, and air cocktails bring the connection of the four elements to our humanity.

Best restaurants & bars with Vivid Sydney views

Looking for things to do in Sydney? Enjoying a few drinks and soaking in the Vivid views at one of Darling Harbour’s best cocktail bars should be top of your list! To get your evening started we’ve concocted a list of the best restaurants and cocktail bars with stunning views of the show in Darling Harbour.

Find out more

Getting to Vivid Sydney

Travelling to Darling Harbour is easy, it’s leaving that’s hard! Discover our guide navigating you to Darling Harbour with ease. We'll cover all your travel needs, from zipping in on public transport to exploring with little ones in tow. Plus, we'll share hot tips to stay ahead of the crowd and make your Vivid Sydney experience truly unforgettable!

How To Get To Vivid Sydney

Where To Stay

Plan ahead for Vivid Sydney and stay at the heart of it in Darling Harbour! Book your luxury or budget-friendly accommodation today & enjoy easy access to light-filled attractions, family-friendly entertainment, waterfront dining, & vibrant nightlife. Discover the best places to stay in Darling Harbour during Vivid Sydney & make memories that will last a lifetime.

Hotel Kith

Welcome to Kith Hotel Darling Harbour. Your home away from home. Stay, Work, Play – All in a Day at Kith Hotel.

Hyatt Regency Sydney

The iconic brand’s Sydney hotel is the city’s largest with stunning harbour views.

THE HOTEL WOOLSTORE 1888 – Handwritten Hotel Collection

Edgy design and modern luxury inside a historic character building.

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney

Located on the city-side of Darling Harbour, the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney offers premium accommodation for both work and play.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

French sophistication meets Aussie culture in this luxury Sydney hotel by Sofitel.

Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour

This Darling Harbour hotel boasts a central location, trendy Manhattan-inspired decor and a rooftop bar.

Discover More

See more of Vivid Sydney

Find out what's happening in Barangaroo and The Rocks for all things Vivid Sydney.

Vivid Sydney 2023 Gallery

Slide

Friends taking a photo in front of Aloft Vivid Sydney light installation

Friends taking a photo in front of Aperture Vivid Sydney light installation

Family enjoying Vivid Sydney in Darling Harbour

Families enjoying Aperture Vivid Sydney light installation

Vivid Sydney water installation Elemental over Cockle Bay Wharf

Children enjoying the Night Walker Vivid Sydney installation

Friends taking a photo in front of River Mouth Vivid Sydney installation

Children enjoying Swarm Vivid Sydney installation in Darling Harbour

Youthu Yindi playing at Tumbalong Nights Vivid Sydney's Music Program

Vivid Cocktails at Pumphouse Sydney

We acknowledge Gadi Country, her lands, sea and sky, we acknowledge her custodians, the people of the Grass tree, their kin the Wangal, Bidjigal, Cabrogal and Cammeraygal who often visited this Country to connect and share. We offer our respect to their Elders both past and present.