The annual Vivid Sydney festival, from May 26 to June 17, is expanding its schedule with new dining events to accompany the evening lights.
The 23-day festival features more than 300 events featuring artists, musicians and thought leaders, while also recognizing the significant contributions of First Nations people.
This year’s theme is “Living Sydney, Naturally” and festival director and lighting curator Gill Minervini said it’s all about celebrating what really matters: connection, authenticity, love and nature.
“Nature provides a sense of discovery, a celebration of authenticity, an invitation to connect and an opportunity to create, all experiences we can share at Vivid Sydney,” she said.
“This year I’m thrilled to have our biggest and most daring lightwork to date from both world-renowned artists and local talent, as well as our rich program of ideas, music and, for the first time, food.”
Vivid Sydney, lighting the sails
When the sun goes down, Sydney transforms with over 50 dazzling light installations, 3D projection artworks and ticketed events for visitors to lose themselves in the hypnotic wonderland of light and colour.
Vivid Sydney Light Walk’s signature Sydney Opera House Illumination of the sails will feature the vibrant works of one of Australia’s most famous artists, John Olsen.
The Vivid LIVE line-up at the Sydney Opera House features over 40 Australian and international performers including Jose Gonzalez, Jaeji, Ella Mai, Cat powerAnd Devonte Hynes.
The program is curated by Sydney Opera House’s Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall.
This year’s Vivid Music program will spotlight First Nations and Australian voices. Late Archie Roach will be celebrated with an incredible night of performances.
There will be 12 nights of free music at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour Yothu Yindi, Dan Sultanand Japanese cult artist Cornelis.
British writer Jeanette Winterson headlines Vivid Ideas, reflecting on issues of identity, sexuality, religion and more to develop the idea of nature in LIFE AND MARS: The Future of Man.
And the new Vivid Food will broaden the creative spotlight with culinary favorites and innovative food events street food and BBQ delights made by renowned pitmasters for Lively fire kitchen at Cutaway in Barangaroo.
For a more upscale dining experience, there’s the Lively Sydney dinner in the Ivy Ballroom, curated by renowned chefs Ben Greeno and Danielle Alvarez.
Vivid Sydney
Last year, Vivid attracted about 2.58 million visitors.
Vivid Sydney’s 2023 drone show, ‘Written in the Stars’, will be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 1,000 drones and six performances.
Created by Gill Minervini and the Australian Traffic Network, the show showcases the beauty of the solar system from the Sun to Neptune in a stunning display.
Following the success of the youngest Vivid Sydney artist ever at Vivid Sydney 2022, the festival is introducing Vivid Kids this year.
The new projection sees a group of young artists aged 7 to 14 working closely with content studio Spinifex to animate, bring to life and project their works onto one of Sydney’s oldest buildings.
Lively Sydney festival venues include Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour, Darling Quarter, Darling Square, The Goods Line, Central Station, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Carriageworks , Taronga Zoo and more.
tickets are now on sale.
