Vivid Sydney is set to transform the Harbour City once again from 23 May to 14 June 2025, with this year’s theme, Dream, inspiring a bold new program of immersive experiences. Marking its 15th year, the festival introduces five interconnected zones, expands its music and dining offerings, and brings back Martin Place for the first time since 2018.
A reimagined festival footprint
The festival has been redesigned into five key zones—Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and the CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and Inner City. Each will host a mix of events spanning Vivid Sydney’s four key pillars: Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Showcasing Sydney’s creative pulse, Vivid Sydney 2025 will feature exclusive collaborations with Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sydney Film Festival and major cultural institutions, including the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum and Bangarra Dance Theatre.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, said the festival continues to bring creativity and fun to the city.
“This year’s festival is helping people face the cost-of-living crisis by increasing the number of free events, which is great news if you want a good night out without blowing the budget,” Graham said.
Light installations and interactive experiences
Vivid Light will illuminate the city with cutting-edge animations and projections, with eight buildings and landmarks joining the festival for the first time. The Sydney Opera House sails will be transformed with Kiss of Light (2025), showcasing the work of late Australian visionary David McDiarmid, while Vincent Namatjira’s King Dingo will light up the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
This year, the entire Vivid Light Walk remains free, offering interactive installations, 3D projections, and immersive experiences. Festivalgoers can engage with voice-activated animations, suspended swings, and even design their own projections, with 150 selected each week to be displayed on the ASN Co. Building’s Clock Tower.
Star-studded Vivid Ideas lineup
Vivid Ideas 2025 will feature international thought leaders, including TIME Magazine creative director D.W. Pine delivering the keynote Where Do Ideas Come From? and scientist Professor Matthew Walker presenting Why We Sleep. The Stranger Things Experience will also debut at Luna Park Sydney, immersing visitors in the supernatural world of the Netflix phenomenon.
A feast for the senses with Vivid Food
Vivid Food returns with an exclusive dining experience curated by renowned food writer and TV cook Nigella Lawson. Over three nights, she will create a special menu for Vivid Sydney Dinners in the new pedestrian tunnel Muru Giligu at Martin Place.
“Visitors cram themselves into Sydney in summer, but for me, the magical time is in winter, during Vivid Sydney!” Lawson said. “Having loved it for years, it is the hugest thrill to be part of the Vivid Food program this year.”
Festival favourites, including the Vivid Fire Kitchen and the Vivid Chef Series, will return, with new additions such as the Spice Lounge at Maryanne Street and Hollywood Quarter activations in Surry Hills.
Vivid Music expands with world-class performances
Vivid Music 2025 will see the return of Tumbalong Nights, with a lineup featuring Winston Surfshirt, Ayesha Madon, Grammy-winning African artist Dobet Gnahoré, and V-Pop stars Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê. Iconic venues such as Oxford Art Factory, Metro Theatre, and City Recital Hall will host performances from Pete & Bas, Tangerine Dream and Soccer Mommy.
Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House will feature over 50 artists, including Anohni and The Johnsons, Beth Gibbons from Portishead, and Sigur Rós with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Meanwhile, Carriageworks will host a mix of electronic, indie and rock acts, including Mall Grab, Ngaiire and Skegss, alongside its legendary Night Market.
