This year’s Vivid Sydney took place between May 23 and June 14, and the theme was DREAM. The lights and sound were a feast of imagination and creativity, with art installations decorating the streets and turning the entire city into a giant art museum. Even better, the whole event is basically free to enjoy.
One of the most memorable areas was Darling Harbour, located along the waterfront. It’s a lovely place for a stroll any time of year, but during the Vivid festival it was transformed into another world. Colorful projection mapping and light installations were everywhere, enveloping the district in a magical atmosphere. All of the lights were also reflected in the water, which made me feel as if I were being pulled into the glow.
One of Sydney’s signature projection mapping displays is the Lighting of the Sails: Kiss of Light projection on the sails of the city’s Opera House—one of the highlights that makes Sydney so beautiful at night. The vivid images projected on the sails create a stunning, magical world in an instant. Coupled with the reflection on the water, it feels like walking through a dream.
There is also a diner called Neon Dreams, where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by neon lights, creating a retro-futuristic roller disco vibe that is exciting and delightful for all the senses.
One of the best things about the event was how unexpectedly light the crowds were. There was far more space to move around than at Japanese illumination events, and weekday nights in particular were perfect for taking your time and enjoying the sights. Also, thanks to the longer three-week event period, you could go around to different parts of it on different days. They also had special paid events that are wonderful to experience if you are interested in them.
This was my first time experiencing Vivid Sydney, but some people were saying that the lights weren’t as bright as they had been in past years. So you can make the most of the event if you do a little research on this kind of feedback before heading out. It’s also better to visit on weeknights if you can, since the weekends and holidays tend to get crowded.
Overall, Vivid Sydney was a magical and beautiful event that lit up the winter nighttime skies. The artistic light and sound, experienced in the crisp, clear air, made me forget reality for a moment. If you ever plan to visit Sydney during the event, make sure you get out and see it for yourself!
