Vivid Sydney is a highlight of the year for locals and visitors alike.
For three weeks, Sydney is lit up in a spectacle of lights. From the sails of Sydney Opera House to the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the buildings and gardens in between and beyond.
Millions of people visit Vivid Sydney each year, suffice to say, the annual festival is a firm favourite among Sydney’s calendar of major events.
And while the lights may be the best known part of the Vivid Sydney program, the festival also features food, ideas, and music.
Dates of Vivid Sydney in 2025
In 2025, Vivid Sydney will take place from 23 May until 14 June with lights on at 6pm each night.
Vivid Sydney 2025 Highlights
The Vivid Sydney 2025 program is jam-packed with 23 nights of light installations, music performances, food experiences, and live talks. There’s a mix of free and ticketed events and plenty to choose from.
Ready to start planning your Vivid Sydney experience? Here’s a sneak peek at some of what we’ve got to look forward to during Vivid Sydney this year..
Vivid Light
The spectacular light installations are Vivid Sydney’s star attraction. The first thing to know is that during Vivid Sydney, lights turn on at 6pm. The Sydney Opera House is a focal point during Vivid, and this year the lighting of the sails returns, this time featuring the work of artist David McDiarmid.
But it’s not only Circular Quay’s beloved icons that get the Vivid Sydney lights treatment. Vivid Sydney is lighting up the city across five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and inner city.
Don’t miss the walking the immersive 40m long Starscape Tunnel on Hay St near The Goods Line, witnessing giant flowers transform Martin Place, and flying to the moon at Barangaroo.
Vivid Ideas
Let yourself be inspired by Vivid Sydney’s Ideas program. Every Wednesday night during Vivid from 6:30-7pm you can head to Barangaroo for Firetalk, a series featuring First Nations writers, poets and songwriters, curated by Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money, meanwhile at Sydney Town Hall, TIME magazine’s Creative Director D.W. Pine is pulling back the curtain on where ideas come from, and it wouldn’t be Sydney if we didn’t talk housing affordability while chucking up a big question mark around the feasibility of the Great Australian Dream.
Vivid Food
You won’t go hungry on your visit to Vivid Sydney. Highlights of the Vivid Sydney food program include Dreams On A Plate offering up a six course dining experience that shares the culture and hospitality of Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Palestine, Aunty Beryl | Our Shared Dream: A world with no waste serves up a vegetarian menu featuring native ingredients, and the Carriageworks Night Market has food, drinks, and atmosphere that’ll leave you well and truly satiated.
Vivid Music
The Vivid Sydney music line-up is all about variety. Taking to venues all over Sydney CBD there’s Sigur Rós with Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House, PASIFIX celebrating the Pacific Islander community at Tumbalong Park, an evening with Warren Ellis at the City Recital Hall, and the The Pink Pony Supper Club at Mary’s Underground… and that barely scratches the surface.
How to Vet to Vivid Sydney
The best way to travel to Vivid Sydney is on foot and via public transport.
During the festival, the areas around Vivid Sydney are incredibly busy as thousands descend on the city to enjoy the lights.
Various roads are closed and parking is restricted throughout the festival period.
Public transport including trains, buses, ferries, and light rail is available to the various festival vantage points — whether you’re visiting Circular Quay and The Rocks, or viewing the lights from the north side of harbour at Kirribilli, Milsons Point, or Lavender Bay.
When you’re planning your travel, be sure to keep an eye on alerts and updates from Transport NSW.
Best Hotels for Vivid Sydney
Looking for the best hotel to stay at for Vivid Sydney? Sydney is lucky to have so many fantastic places to stay.
If a room with a view is what you’re after for your Vivid Sydney accommodation, Sydney’s harbourside hotels are the way to experience the festival in luxury.
Hotels with Sydney Harbour Views
Pullman Quay Grand: in the centre of the action, overlooking Circular Quay, Pullman Quay Grand is home to 1 and 2 bedroom luxury apartment style suites.
Sebel Quay West: 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites with kitchen, dining, bathroom, and laundry facilities. Sebel Quay West is located on Gloucester St in The Rocks.
Four Seasons Sydney: located on George St in The Rocks, Four Seasons has beautifully appointed harbour view rooms.
Shangri-La Sydney: this glamorous hotel describes itself as ‘an elegant sanctuary above a distinctive harbour city’. Located Cumberland St in The Rocks, if views of the Vivid lights is what you’re after, check into one of Shangri-La’s Harbour Bridge or Opera House rooms.
InterContinental Sydney: located in the tastefully restored Treasury Building of 1851, the InterContinental on Sydney’s Macquarie St is a luxury 5 star hotel with harbour view rooms and suites.
Park Hyatt Sydney: right in the heart of it all you’ll find Park Hyatt Sydney. This 5 star hotel is located directly across the harbour from the Sydney Opera House, alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge in The Rocks.
Sydney Harbour Marriot: another hotel with Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge views is the Sydney Harbour Marriot. Choose from guestrooms or suites with various vantage points.
View Hotel North Sydney: venture across the harbour to the View Hotel on Blue St in North Sydney. Away from the hustle and bustle of Circular Quay and The Rocks, while still offering rooms with sensational views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Looking for more budget-friendly accommodation near Vivid Sydney?
YHA Sydney Harbour is located on Cumberland St and offers both dorm and private rooms. For the most part, the rooms themselves don’t offer harbour views, however, the building’s rooftop has incredible views of the harbour taking in the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Top tip? Book early. Accommodation for Vivid Sydney is in high demand! And be sure to check the room type you book. Hotels located on Sydney Harbour also have rooms with views of the CBD or Botanic Gardens.
Best Restaurants for Vivid Sydney
Just like hotels for Vivid Sydney, if you’re planning on dining at a restaurant in the vicinity of Vivid Sydney, it’s a great idea to plan ahead and make your reservation early to avoid disappointment.
As thousands descend on central Sydney each night, restaurants, especially those with harbour views, are in high demand nightly throughout the Vivid festival.
Here’s a few spots to wine and dine with a view of Vivid Sydney:
Opera Bar: this popular harbourside bar is a must-do Sydney experience, and what better time to enjoy the magic of Sydney than during Vivid Festival. Grab yourself a drink and a bite to eat while watching the sunset over the harbour as the lights of Vivid switch on to light up the night sky.
Bennelong: wine and dine at the Sydney Opera House itself while enjoying views across to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Hyde Hacienda: located at Circular Quay inside the Pullman Quay Grand, this bar is serving up delicious cocktails and views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Cruise Bar: located in the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, this busy venue has three levels of bars and dining, complete with a bustling atmosphere and harbour views.
Quay: enjoy exceptional dining and views of the Sydney Opera House.
The Squires Landing: book a window table at the restaurant on the first floor and enjoy 270 degree harbour views taking in both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf: located around from Circular Quay in Walsh Bay, The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf has Sydney Harbour Bridge views from its enormous floor to ceiling windows.
Aster Bar at the InterContintental Sydney: an incredible rooftop bar with Sydney Harbour views, reservations are essential.
Sails on Lavender Bay: right alongside the ferry wharf at McMahons Point is Sails on Lavender Bay with modern Australian cuisine and views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Best Places to See Vivid Sydney
There are so many incredible vantage points from which to enjoy Vivid Sydney.
In 2025, Vivid Sydney has installations and events in five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and inner city.
Even if you’re wearing your comfiest shoes, there’s too much to see in one night. The best way to experience Vivid Sydney is to check the program, plan ahead, and visit over multiple nights. This way you won’t find yourself attempting to get from The Goods Line down to Circular Quay and then up to Martin Place and across to Darling Harbour, all in the space of a few hours (phew!) 🏃🏼♀️
Once you’ve taken note of your Vivid Sydney highlights you’ll have a better idea of your preferred vantage points.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for some inspiration for the best place to see the lights during Vivid Sydney, here’s a few ideas to get you started:
Circular Quay: the area around Circular Quay and The Rocks is the heart of Vivid Sydney and is absolutely humming with crowds each night of the festival. If you want to feel part of the action, head to Circular Quay and The Rocks to be in the centre of it all. Don’t forget to be patient and kind as you make your way around.
Mrs Macquarie’s Point: always a popular vantage point for views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, this spot is especially picturesque during Vivid.
Kirribilli: head to the north side of the bridge to enjoy views back towards Circular Quay and The Rocks. Take in the views from the area between Jeffrey St Wharf and Mary Booth Reserve, or from Bradfield Park directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Lavender Bay: around from Luna Park and home to the not-so-secret Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay has wonderful views across to Barangaroo and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
McMahons Point: watch the lights change colour on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from Henry Lawson Reserve, or head around the foreshore a little further to Blues Point Reserve.
Walsh Bay: tucked away between the bustle of Circular Quay, The Rocks, and Barangaroo, Walsh Bay has great spots to wine, dine, and take in the views from the harbourside piers.
On the Harbour: what better way to take in the spectacle of Vivid Sydney than by getting out on the harbour itself. Whether you manage to wrangle a spot on a Sydney ferry, or book yourself on a cruise, there’s plenty of options to get out on the water during Vivid and see the lights from a whole new perspective.
Remember, because of the popularity of Vivid, there are temporary road closures and changes to pedestrian access, including one-way pedestrian flows in some places.
Plan ahead, be flexible with your plans, and be sure to pay attention to signage and instructions from Vivid Sydney marshals as you make your way around the festival precinct.
And most important of all: have fun!