
VIVID Sydney
Vivid Sydney brings light artists, musicians and innovative thinkers together from Sydney and all over the world to bathe our city in a warm glow. It’s a Sydney event you can enjoy in so many ways, whether you’re wandering the city’s streets exploring countless light sculptures, catching a comedy show or concert, or listening to an inspiring speaker.
At a time when we need it more than ever, Vivid Sydney shines a light over Darling Harbour through art and creativity. From the bizarre and unusual to the charming and quaint, the sculptures and creatives behind Vivid give us new ways to connect with each other and our city.
It’s full of surprises and new ways of seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing, right here in Darling Harbour.
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Get your shuffle on and enjoy a stacked line up of DJs at The Goods Line as you weave between superscale installations and projections on Vivid Sydney’s world-famous Light Walk. The city's finest selectors and spinners unite to create their living-breathing discovery playlist.
This 3D mapped projection lights up the vast roof space of the Maritime Museum on the brink of Sydney’s Harbour to bring you the stories of immigrants from all over the world who made a dangerous voyage across the seas to Sydney.
This artwork draws inspiration from our daily encounters with a bold mother nature. It resembles a peaceful campsite with muffled snores heard from within the tents. As you walk through the campground, any noise you make could wake up the campers, resulting in hand torches being waved about.
Like a meadow in bloom, this mass installation of light flowers is comprised of beautifully intricate blossoms designed with the input of hundreds of Sydney primary school students. Each child’s bubbly cheerful character and positive outlook on our future is effervescent and imprinted on their creation.
Fancy a game of Chess? Maybe a flashback to the Chamber of Secrets? Amigo & Amigo at Otis Studios have taken the world’s oldest and most popular game and supersized every piece, covering them in technicolour artworks.
Named after the centre of the human eye that perceives colour and fine details, this swirling vortex of light and sound is the ultimate selfie backdrop! This spiralling structure was built using bamboo, and then 3D mapped and illuminated by intricate geometric patterns.
Go on a sensory journey as artists and musicians collaborate to create a series of 3D walk-through visual and sonic experiences.
Be entranced by shimmering worlds that evoke the wonder of imaginary places. Here, renowned local musicians team up with digital visual artists to create an ever-changing sonic painting.
Halo features illuminated rings rising from the ground in columns, which emit musical sounds when you interact with them. You’re invited to come and create your own soundscape, reawaken your childlike sense of curiosity as you play with this supersized instrument of light.
There are twenty seven human emotions, from joy to grief, from longing to strength. This intriguing installation brings those emotions to life using mathematics and digital design to craft towering cylinders that react to your presence. Approach one, share your feelings and see how it reacts!

Sydney Infinity
Looking for something to do in Sydney that’ll blow your mind? Darling Harbour’s rippling waters are about to erupt in a technicolour fountain of choreographed light for Sydney Infinity.
This is Australia’s largest ever choreographed liquid light show, featuring 48 water cannons blasting water up to 80 metres into the air, each stream illuminated by thousands of LEDs.
Tumbalong Nights
This year, Vivid Sydney presents a curated contemporary music program at Tumbalong Park featuring some of Australia’s most exciting artists alongside Sydney’s hottest emerging acts. Catch FREE live shows each Wednesday to Saturday night, right in the heart of the Light Walk.
Eating and drinking in Darling Harbour
Vivid Sydney is the perfect excuse to visit Darling Harbour for a weekend of art, dining, drinking and exploration.
For beer, gyoza, fried chicken and guaranteed good times, try Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium or, for the best craft beer selection in the city, drop in to Batch Brewing in Haymarket.
If you fancy yum-cha and gorgeous garden views, head to The Gardens by Lotus, or book at Momofuku Seiobo for a taste of the Carribean at one of Australia’s leading fine dining restaurants. Try the tastiest, spiciest chicken in Sydney at Belles Hot Chicken, serious donuts at Shortstop or impossibly creamy gelato at Gelato Messina Darling Square.
Keen to explore more of Sydney’s best eating and drinking? Check out a selection of 150+ bars, cafes and restaurants in Darling Harbour and some stocked with these amazing Vivid-inspired offers...
From limited edition spicy blue margs to bespoke glitter make-up sessions and tantalising tiramisus with a sweet potato twist, head on down to the bright lights of Darling Harbour to celebrate Vivid in style.
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Sip & Savour on the Green
Enjoy mouth-watering street food and live entertainment by day, then dinner and drinks under the stars throughout Vivid Sydney. A whimsical gazebo on the Village Green, complete with fairy lights and hammocks, creates the perfect space for you to grab a bite to eat and relax during the day or a drink under the stars.
And for an incredible sensory experience alongside some fantastic cocktail offerings, Bombay Sapphire have partnered with Vivid Sydney Light Walk artist Elliott Routledge and music producer Nicky Night Time to invite all to stir their creativity at the House of Bombay Bar.

A guide for where to go, eat and stay during Vivid Sydney
This year's Vivid Sydney is better than ever, with a spectacular lineup of events and boundary-pushing installations, many of the highlights being centred around Darling Harbour.
We’ve compiled some itineraries for families, social butterflies and cocktail aficionados so you can get the most out of your Vivid experience in this vibrant precinct.
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There are so many comfortable, luxurious places to stay in Darling Harbour, including a few that have special offers and may have views of Vivid Sydney’s installations from the comfort of their rooms:
See Vivid Sydney from a whole different perspective aboard a luxury cruise before or after you explore Vivid Sydney at Darling Harbour on your feet.
Getting to Darling Harbour
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.