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Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest festival of light, music, ideas, and food. Held from 26 May – 17 June 2023, Vivid Sydney invites visitors to step outside the every day into nights full of wonder. This year’s theme, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally’, showcases the world’s brightest light artists, music makers, thought leaders and food creatives to ignite the city with their interpretation of what the natural world means to them.
Vivid Sydney will encourage you to observe awe-inspiring light art; tune in to heartfelt music performances; expand your universe through fascinating conversations; and taste the diversity of the city with all of your senses. 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.
Plan ahead with our Vivid Sydney Light Walk Map and our guide to getting to Darling Harbour.
LIGHTS
As the sun sets, across the city, Sydney will once again transform with lustrous light installations, and 3D projection artworks.Experience the mesmerizing magic of Vivid Sydney and ignite your senses with a dazzling spectacle of color, innovation, and imagination. Prepare for a feast of all the senses as some of Darling Harbour's iconic landmarks transform creating a playground of light.
Start your Vivid Sydney Light Walk at entry of Darling Square on Hay St, make your way through Tumbalong Boulevard and through Darling Quarter, where you'll find yourself at Cockle Bay Wharf to see the spectacular water display Elemental.
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Elemental
Combining 80 metre water shooters, flames, projection and pyro technics over Cockle Bay – this 10 minute water-show is an essential stop on the Vivid Light Walk. Catch the spectacular installation every night between 6pm and 11pm during Vivid Sydney.
Taking inspiration from the Exchange Building's timber wrapping around the circular building, this installation brings birds to what locals lovingly refer to as 'The Bird's Nest'. Inspired by the classic neon sign animations of Chinatown, giant birds flap their wings across the building in the form of 24 LED outlines, lighting up in sequence across the façade as they take flight.
Inspired by NSW's many natural wonders that have been sculpted and shaped by the eroding effects of wind, water and time, this inflatable labyrinth invites us to look through the cracks formed and see anew. Think of landmarks like the Jenolan Caves, the Three Sisters, Australia Rock and the Royal National Park’s Instagram-famous Figure Eight pools, all made only more beautiful by their natural fractures or 'apertures'.
Standing alone in the dark, these four-metre streetlights keep their lamp shade-like head closed. But as you approach, they come alive. Bending towards you and slowly 'blooming', they light up and open more the closer you get, excited by your presence. The work transforms a common urban sight – a motion-centred light – into a friendly local personality eager to say hello. As you walk away, the lights gradually return to their upright resting position, closing its bloom and dimming its light once more.
Conceived during COVID lockdowns, Dance Together celebrates the importance of gathering and the magic that can happen when strangers congregate. Meet under an unusual source - three giant floating rings, suspended above our heads - for a 360° show that unites us in haloes of light and an ethereal soundscape. Messages rotate around the inner band, allowing us to connect and reach out in new ways - maybe even with a little boogie underneath.
Follow the Vivid Sydney flock along the Light Walk to spot stylised light sculptures resembling our native birds. This 'birdwatching' adventure highlights the diversity and survival skills of our feathered friends whose habitats and existence are encroached upon by our sprawling cityscapes, increasing populations and lifestyles. Each 'bird' bears the colours of one of our most vibrant species, from the Rainbow Lorikeet to the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Their shape is a geometric abstraction of a bird in flight, inspired by the post-1960s resurgence of futurism, where artists imagined what the bright, bold and tech-driven future may look like.
Dive into the history of Australia's harbours with this stunning projection on the HMAS Vampire. Swim alongside 200-year-old sea turtles; join Eora people as they fish with a spear and burra (fishing hook), while keeping the ecosystem in balance; witness the desolation of oceans as colonial settlers arrive and industrial fishing takes hold; see how conservationists are saving our sea life from pollution and stray nets with ocean-based drones and recycling efforts with local artists.
If you've never spent time up-close with a frog, you might not appreciate how beautiful their skin patterns can be. This intricate camouflage can, in some species, even change colour and texture! Night Walkers supersizes these wondrous amphibians to highlight not just their beauty but also their ecological importance. These unique creatures – considered the 'walker' between the two worlds of water and earth in shamanic cultures - are considered bellwethers by environmentalists, as a decline in their population can signal serious environmental damage.
In an age of lockdowns, climate change and global upheaval, it’s easy to feel increasingly ungrounded or disconnected. River Mouth plays with our innate need to connect to nature as an equalising force, taking inspiration from the bizarre but common phenomenon of 'pareidolia' – the tendency to see patterns, animals or faces in inanimate objects and nature.
There's nothing quite like reaching to the skies on a swing as a child, but Spectrum Of Happiness comes close – and this swing set is for everyone. Sway away and create a beaming rainbow, as your movement activates the LED tubes and balls attached to each swing. Expect instant and infectious happiness, no matter how young or old you are.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a swarm! Of what, exactly? That's up to you - inspired by the mathematical precision of flocks of birds flying or schools of fish swimming in unison, Swarm renders this natural phenomenon repeated across our skies and seas into a thing of abstract beauty.
What do hummingbirds, cicadas, bumblebees and helicopter seeds have in common? Watching them whizz through the air is spellbinding. That's thanks to the complicated aerodynamic system keeping them afloat, where their wings (or leaves) twist and turn in the air rather than flapping up and down, creating the illusion of levitating or, occasionally, even dancing in the wind.
MUSIC
Get ready to groove at Vivid Sydney's electrifying music program in Darling Harbour! The bullseye at the centre of Sydney's Darling Harbour, Tumbalong Park is your Vivid Sydney go-to for free and eclectic contemporary music, in the very heart of the Light Walk. Immerse yourself in a symphony of lights and beats, as world-class artists take the stage. Discover pulsating concerts, dazzling DJ sets, and breathtaking performances that will make your heart skip a beat. Join us for an unforgettable audio-visual spectacle at the heart of Sydney's vibrant entertainment scene.

Tumbalong Nights
Every weekend from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June, Tumbalong Nights will light up Darling Harbour with an eclectic series of free concerts in the heart of the Light Walk for this year's Vivid Sydney. Catch 12 nights of live music, with some of the best acts from cult favourite Japanese producer and musician Cornelius, dream-pop musician Hatchie, rising Western Sydney star A.GIRL, RnB superstar Kaiit, plus London-based DJ and producer Esa Williams.
FREE for all, with an open invitation to dance!
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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.
Vivid Ideas gathers some of the world’s brightest minds and fearless storytellers, with 60 intriguing talks and workshops, exploring community, authenticity, respect, love and lessons learnt from the natural world. Playing to this year's theme Vivid, Naturally, the program features immersive and theatrical workshops, audio-visual guided tours and talk shows that capture Vivid Sydney’s “natural brilliance”. Immerse yourself in a dazzling fusion of art, technology, and innovation. From mind-blowing discussions to cutting-edge concepts, this vibrant program promises to ignite your imagination.
What better way to take it all the lights, creativity, and art of Vivid Sydney than with the delicious variety of places to dine in Darling Harbour? With over 150+ awesome restaurants, cafes, and bars, offering everything from waterfront seafood at Nick's to outrageous Asian eats at Dopa, and even the insta-famous Cinnabon, we know you'll find something for everyone in Darling Harbour.

Food Trucks
As you stroll through the illuminated streets, take a moment to savor the vibrant atmosphere of the Vivid Sydney festival! For those craving a quick bite to eat while exploring Darling Harbour's Light Walk, the delicious Food Trucks located beneath Pyrmont Bridge and Pier Street Overpass is the perfect way to fill those hungry bellies on your way! From authentic Italian cusiune, to delicious Gozleme, and irresistible desserts, these gourmet food trucks have something for every craving. And while you're here take a break in picturesque seating areas, surrounded by the twinkling lights of Vivid Sydney and the lively beats of live music!
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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.
Whether you're starting or ending your night off with seeing the fabulous light walk in Darling Harbour, theres still a mountain more fun to be had while you're here - you might need to come back to catch it all! Take a romantic stroll along the waterfront, soak in the mesmerizing light installations, and snap some selfies to make your friends jealous. Feeling fancy? Jump aboard a dinner cruise, where you can wine and dine with your favorite people while enjoying the breathtaking city skyline. Don't forget to check out the live performances at Tumbalong Nights or the interactive exhibits that will give you a new perspective on light and art!
Stay at the heart of Vivid Sydney 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.
Getting to Darling Harbour
For more help getting around Darling Harbour, check out our Vivid Sydney Light Walk Map. And if you’re looking to expand your visit to Vivid Sydney, check out the incredible displays in The Rocks and Barangaroo.
Getting to Darling Harbour is easy, whether you’re walking, cycling, driving or catching public transport:
- The train from the airport takes just 25 minutes. Get off at the Museum Station and walk less than 10 minutes
- Light rail from the CBD leaves every 4 minutes. Get off at the Town Hall stop and walk less than 5 minutes
- Cycling from the city takes less than 5 minutes. Take your bike over Pyrmont Bridge to see the ultimate view of Darling Harbour
- Walking from the city takes just 10 minutes
- Or there are several car parks throughout Darling Harbour if you’re driving.
For more help getting to Darling Harbour, check out our guide.