vivid sydney

What Is Vivid Sydney?

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    The Sydney Central Business District (CBD) becomes a kaleidoscope of light, music, and ideas every winter for Vivid Sydney, an annual event of creativity, technology, and innovation. Vivid Sydney, which will be celebrating its 12th year in 2022, is an annual event that showcases the creativity, originality, and energy of Sydney and has helped establish Harbour City as the regional centre for the arts in Asia and the Pacific.

    The event includes the Lighting of the Sails and Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House, as well as a diverse lineup of musical acts, thought-provoking speeches by some of the world's finest thinkers, and free mesmerising art displays and large-scale 3D projections from international and local performers.

    Destination NSW, the state's official tourist and major events organisation, owns, manages, and produces Vivid Sydney.

    In addition to winning the Australian Event Awards for Best Event in 2013 and Best Tourism Event in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019, Vivid Sydney has also won the award for Best Cultural, Arts, or Music Event in 2017 and 2019.

    Shadows that burst into colour and magically transparent facades transport you to a new dimension await you in Vivid Light. By using massive illuminations, laser light displays, and 3D-mapped projections, the city is transformed into a magical nocturnal oasis.

    This evening kicks off with the traditional "Lighting of the Sails" at the Sydney Opera House. Explore the Royal Botanic Garden and Barangaroo's stunning waterfront districts via a network of trails including immersive and interactive light art sculptures and installations. Come to The Rocks to experience the amazing MOCA exhibit and fun installations for kids of all ages.

    View the spectacular show from the comfort of a port ferry or cruise ship. As they pass through the various Vivid Sydney areas, the many cruise ships and ferries that ply the harbour will be illuminated with magnificent lights of varying hues.

    A wide variety of well-known and up-and-coming musicians from all over the world and right here in Australia will be playing on stages both large and small all across the city centre for the annual Vivid Music festival. Vivid Ideas is an engaging series of free public talks, workshops, and forums that explores anything from the future of city planning to useful resources for artists.

    Top 10 Activities at Vivid Sydney

    Register For A Vivid Bridge Climb.

    Only by participating in a Vivid BridgeClimb can you fully appreciate the spectacle that is Vivid. At an altitude of 134 metres, you'll have a bird's-eye view of the light sculptures and large-scale projections across Sydney Harbour, which are cast onto the city's iconic landmarks. There is a lot of demand for premium weekend real estate, so don't delay if you want to secure a reservation.

    Stay In Sydney And Take Advantage Of A Fabulous Hotel Package

    Include a harbourside hotel at Pier One in your Vivid preparations for a Sydney staycation. This five-star establishment has designed an exclusive package for attendees of the Vivid Sydney festival. Spend the night in one of their newly remodelled, ultra-chic rooms and enjoy complimentary snacks when you check in.

    Enjoy a complimentary Vivid beverage at Bar One, a $100 credit to use on food and drinks, and daily valet parking, all within walking distance of all the Vivid activity, including BridgeClimb.

    Bridgeclimb's Photography Vivid Masterclass: Capture The Vivid

    The Pylons gundeck will host a special photographic workshop once again, this time in collaboration with renowned landscape photographer and Fujifilm Australia Ambassador with an emphasis on capturing Vivid.

    This photographic experience is back by popular demand and includes a 30-minute workshop on shooting at night in the Pylons cinema room and a 1.5-hour photography session on the Pylons gundeck, where the public does not typically get access during Vivid. Enthusiasts of photography can take their time snapping pictures of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay as they experience the magnificent kaleidoscope of Vivid light.

    Briggs And Nat'swhat I Reckon: Vivid Special Event Will Make You Laugh.

    The night was spent at Sydney Town Hall with the performer/producer Briggs and the viral video sensation Nat's What I Reckon for the Vivid special event. This Australian duo will help each other succeed in their various fields, discuss cuisine, music, and everything else that comes up for a fun and stimulating evening.

    Go Outside And Take A Walk In The Bright Lights.

    Take in Vivid staples like the "Lighting of the Sails," in which a different world-famous artist is commissioned each year to create a new work of art specifically for projection onto the Sydney Opera House, in an effort to reflect the essence of Australia.

    This year, Darling Harbour will look like a huge bubble bath thanks to over 200 giant lit spheres that will be stationed in Cockle Bay and accessed through a floating promenade. There will be a futuristic light show at the international terminal in The Rocks, as well as an interactive homage to the Hindu Festival of Colors.

    Create Your Own Artwork Using Pylon and Picasso's Vivid Special

    Pylon & Picasso is a collaboration between BridgeClimb's Pylon Lookout and Museum and Pinot & Picasso, giving Sydneysiders the chance to create a unique, limited-edition Vivid painting within the Pylon. Start off your experience with a trained BridgeClimb guide as they lead you up the Pylon's 200 stairs while regaling you with tales about the Pylon and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.

    The viewing level at Vivid Sydney offers breathtaking panoramas of the harbour and is guaranteed to spark ideas for new works based on the city's famous landmark.

    During the session, you will learn the fundamentals of painting on canvas in a recognisable Sydney location while sipping soft drinks and then having a free drink at the Glenmore Hotel's rooftop bar to take in the sights of Vivid.

    Enjoy A Drink While Gazing At The Bright Lights.

    After taking in the sights and sounds of Vivid Sydney on foot, we recommend reserving a table at your go-to watering hole so you can sit back, relax, and take in the city's skyline as it is illuminated by the festival.

    Glenmore's rooftop bar, which offers panoramic views of Sydney, and Squires Landing in the international passenger terminal, which is conveniently located in the middle of the bustle and offers a stunning, unobstructed view of the Sydney Opera House Sails, are two of our top selections.

    If you prefer hotel bars, Blu Bar at the Shangri La offers some of the greatest views of Vivid Sydney. Some of Sydney's best bartenders can be found behind the bars here, mixing up innovative takes on old favourites and brand-new creations alike.

    vivid sydney

    Enjoy A Night Out At The Vivid Heaps Gay Queen's Ball.

    You can see Luna Park, which will be illuminated for Vivid, Sydney, from BridgeClimb just across the Harbour. On August 7th, the world-famous theme park will hold the Heaps Gay Qweens Ball, a massive adult fancy dress party with live music from Sydney's top DJs, providing a reason to party into the wee hours at one of Sydney's most recognisable landmarks.

    Take In A Family-Friendly Vivid With Underwater

    Is there going to be something for kids to do at Vivid this year? For more information, visit the Australian National Maritime Museum's "UnderSea" exhibit on August 14. Workshops and talks hosted by ocean experts discussing many corners of the ocean will be fun for the whole family. Young visitors can play games and participate in experiments at the many booths while picking up valuable information about ocean conservation.

    At The Sydney Opera House, Dance To A Vivid  Dj Set From Flight Facilities.

    Flight Facilities, one of Australia's most popular live electronic acts, will be performing under the Vivid lights on the Northern Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House with the intention of getting the locals back on the dance floor.

    Australia's Most Exciting Festival Is Vivid Sydney

    For the past decade, Sydney, Australia has played host to Vivid Sydney, a month-long celebration light of art that has become a must-see for visitors and residents alike.

    The magnificent light installations around the city's significant attractions remain one of the festival's highlights and the reason that people travel long distances to attend.

    The event always begins with a "lights on" moment, in which the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are transformed into colourful, moving canvases. Outside the Central Business District, artists from over 20 different countries build more than 100 light projects and projections.

    The festival has grown in both size and notoriety. Destination NSW, the state government's tourism department, organised and ran of the festival, which brought in a record 2.33 million visitors and generated an estimated $143.1 million in economic activity for New South Wales. Furthermore, it was recently recognised by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), who gave it 13 prizes at their 2017 Pinnacle Prizes.

    A guided tour of the major venues is the best way to see the most impressive light displays that Vivid has to offer. Distance-wise, the Vivid Light Walk covers almost two kilometres of ground, beginning in the historic district of The Rocks and ending at the Sydney Opera House via the city's botanical gardens. Major light shows are displayed at the Harbour Bridge, Customs House, the Museum of Art Australia, and The Rocks, all of which may be seen during this stroll.

    This year's projection in the Sydney Opera House was created by an Australian artist. Each of the elements that make up Metamathematical is an evolving digital sculpture based on recurring themes from Australian culture, science, and nature. The botanical gardens feature a path lined with spiralling trees and adorned with large metal flowers covered in mirrors, creating a beautiful and reflective display for visitors.

    Barangaroo, the newest neighbourhood in Sydney, played host to the city's annual Vivid festival. Situated on the water's edge, it features a wide variety of clubs, restaurants, and luxurious high-rise apartment buildings. Every night, as people danced under the city lights, a large, glowing puppet in the form of a woman made her way along the coastline. 

    The literal translation of her Eora name is "excellent woman." Lights for the Wild was an evening event hosted by Sydney's Taronga Zoo, which featured illuminated animal sculptures to raise awareness about the ten endangered species the zoo is working to protect.

    Here are some tips for making the most of Sydney during Vivid next year, should you decide to travel Down Under.

    vivid sydney

    Eat

    The Sydney culinary scene has evolved rapidly in the past five years, so even if you've been there before, you'll likely benefit from some on-the-spot advice. The easiest way to get started is to join a cuisine tour organised by Ultimately Sydney, a company that specialises in providing individualised, boutique-style sightseeing experiences all across the city.

    The restaurants visited on the Taste of Sydney tour are some of the newest and most popular in Sydney, and yes, you do get to try a little bit of everything on the menu (we know, it sounds crazy). Though 6.5 hours may seem like a long time, it's actually enough time to relax at each stop and get a feel for the area without feeling rushed.

    Notable spots include Kensington Street, the former site of Australia's 168-year-old Carlton United Brewery, which is now a high-rise apex retail and residential complex, and The Cannery, a former industrial building that has been transformed into a food haven filled with coffee roasters, hip restaurants, bakeries, and is home to Archie Rose, Sydney's latest hip gin distillery with an on-site bar.

    And there's Barangaroo, a former shipyard and cruise ship terminal that's now a hotspot for upscale casual dining. Even yet, with the adjacent financial district and high-end housing options, this is hardly a budget neighbourhood.

    We'll go with "smart casual" to describe the atmosphere, but what really sets this location apart is the incredible variety of restaurants that have been asked to participate. There are restaurants serving sushi, burgers, fish, and rotisserie chicken in addition to the more traditional fare of Asia, the Middle East, Japan, Thailand, and India. One of the best parts is the Turkish restaurant, Anason. The longest established. Turkish staples and new takes on tapas-style eating are featured on the menu.

    There should be no shortage of anything. The proprietor regularly receives a shipment of baklava from a family in Gaziantep, Turkey, the undisputed baklava capital, who have been using the same recipe for the past 250 years. It's served hot out of the oven and is perhaps the greatest baklava you'll have in Sydney.

    Hubert in the Central Business District (CBD) has recently been awarded two chef's caps (Australia's equivalent to Michelin stars) for its classical cuisine. It's easy to see why once you step foot inside the traditional French brasserie; the place is so vibrant with colour, music, and welcoming rowdiness that you might mistake it for a restaurant in Paris or New York.

    Authentic French dishes like whole roasted chicken sit alongside an extensive wine list and mouth watering sweets on the menu. The live jazz performances that happen here three times a week are the icing on the cake. The afternoon tea at The Langham Sydney is not to be missed if you are a fan of high tea.

    Guests can partake in a traditional high tea in the style of the hotel's London outpost, including with finger sandwiches, an impressive spread of sweets and pastries, and, of course, a bottle of French champagne.

    Last but not least, Bennelong, the restaurant housed within the Sydney Opera House, is likely well-known to you. This is fine cuisine at its finest, but the prices may discourage many who would otherwise eat at one of Sydney's most talked-about eateries.

    Not to worry, though; the kitchen's masterminds have crafted a bar menu dubbed Cured & Cultured that's healthier, cheaper, and more approachable. The menu is simple and perfect for sharing with friends over a bottle of Australian wine; dishes often feature only a few key ingredients but are nevertheless expertly prepared for the restaurant's fine-dining clientele. This is more entertaining because diners can watch the cooks at work in the main kitchen. You'll have the same perspective as those in the main dining room.

    Stay

    Paramount House Hotel

    The 29-room boutique hotel is housed in the former warehouse and office of Paramount Picture Studios, and it features a variety of refurbished interiors, such as new timber flooring, terrazzo-tiled bathrooms, laundered linen bedding (very nice!), a cafe, and a restaurant and bar that will soon be opening.

    West Hotel Sydney

    You can walk to Barangaroo from the West, which is part of Hilton's boutique Curio Collection. All of the rooms have built-in Bluetooth speakers, and the hotel offers high-end facilities and a relaxing atmosphere in keeping with its urban setting, features that you might not expect to find at a Hilton. The 24-hour on-site restaurant and bar Solander serves up a spectacular spread for breakfast. At night, it transforms into a vibrant cocktail lounge specialising on beverages from New South Wales.

    Conclusion

    Vivid Sydney is owned, administered, and produced by Destination NSW, the state's tourism and events agency. Annually, massive illuminations, laser light shows, and 3D-mapped projections convert Sydney's CBD into a mythical after-dark paradise. "Lighting of the Sails" commissions a different internationally famous artist each year to produce a new work for the Sydney Opera House. Pylon & Picasso let Sydney residents generate unique, Vivid artwork. In addition, vivid Sydney's viewing deck offers amazing views of Sydney Harbour.

    On August 7, the amusement park will host the Heaps Gay Qweens Ball. Sydney celebrates light and art every June during Vivid Sydney. Vivid attracted 2.33 million people and generated $143.1 million for New South Wales. Five years ago, Sydney's restaurant scene was very different. A 6.5-hour Taste of Sydney tour covers Sydney's highlights.

    Kensington Street originally housed the 168-year-old Carlton United Brewery of Australia. Hubert provides delicious baklava from Gaziantep, Turkey, in the CBD. The Langham Sydney holds two chef's caps, Australia's Michelin star. You've probably heard of Sydney's Opera House's French brasserie Bennelong. Paramount Studios is currently a 29-room boutique hotel.

    Solander, the hotel's 24-hour restaurant and bar, serves a buffet breakfast. After dark, it becomes a cocktail lounge selling New South Wales-made cocktails.

    Content Summary

    • The Sydney Central Business District (CBD) becomes a kaleidoscope of light, music, and ideas every winter for Vivid Sydney, an annual event of creativity, technology, and innovation.
    • Vivid Sydney, which will be celebrating its 12th year in 2022, is an annual event that showcases Sydney's creativity, originality, and energy and has helped establish Harbour City as the regional centre for the arts in Asia and the Pacific.
    • The event includes the Lighting of the Sails and Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House, a diverse lineup of musical acts, thought-provoking speeches by some of the world's finest thinkers, free mesmerising art displays and large-scale 3D projections from international and local performers.
    • This evening starts with the traditional "Lighting of the Sails" at the Sydney Opera House.
    • A wide variety of well-known and up-and-coming musicians from all over the world and right here in Australia will be playing on stages, both large and small, all across the city centre for the annual Vivid Music festival.
    • At an altitude of 134 metres, you'll have a bird's-eye view of the light sculptures and large-scale projections across Sydney Harbour, which are cast onto the city's iconic landmarks.
    • Include a harbourside hotel at Pier One in your Vivid preparations for a Sydney staycation.
    • This five-star establishment has designed an exclusive package for attendees of the Vivid Sydney festival.
    • Spend the night in one of their newly remodelled, ultra-chic rooms and enjoy complimentary snacks when you check-in.
    • The night was spent at Sydney Town Hall with the performer/producer Briggs and the viral video sensation Nat's What I Reckon for the Vivid special event.
    • Pylon & Picasso is a collaboration between BridgeClimb's Pylon Lookout and Museum and Pinot & Picasso, giving Sydneysiders a chance to create a unique, limited-edition Vivid painting within the Pylon.
    • The viewing level at Vivid Sydney offers breathtaking panoramas of the harbour and is guaranteed to spark ideas for new works based on the city's famous landmark.
    • You can see Luna Park, which will be illuminated for Vivid, Sydney, from BridgeClimb across the Harbour.
    • Workshops and talks hosted by ocean experts discussing many corners of the ocean will be fun for the whole family.
    • Australia's Most Exciting Festival Is Vivid Sydney. For the past decade, Sydney, Australia, has played host to Vivid Sydney, a month-long celebration light of art that has become a must-see for visitors and residents alike.
    • Outside the Central Business District, artists from over 20 countries build more than 100 light projects and projections.
    • Destination NSW, the state government's tourism department, organised and ran the festival, which brought in a record 2.33 million visitors and generated an estimated $143.1 million in economic activity for New South Wales.
    • Distance-wise, the Vivid Light Walk covers almost two kilometres of ground, beginning in the historic district of The Rocks and ending at the Sydney Opera House via the city's botanical gardens.
    • Major light shows are displayed at the Harbour Bridge, Customs House, the Museum of Art Australia, and The Rocks, all of which may be seen during this stroll.
    • Lights for the Wild was an evening event hosted by Sydney's Taronga Zoo, which featured illuminated animal sculptures to raise awareness about the ten endangered species the zoo is working to protect.
    • Here are some tips for making the most of Sydney during Vivid next year, should you decide to travel Down Under.
    • The Sydney culinary scene has evolved rapidly in the past five years, so you'll likely benefit from some on-the-spot advice even if you've been there before.
    • The easiest way to start is to join a cuisine tour by Ultimately Sydney. This company specialises in providing individualised, boutique-style sightseeing experiences throughout the city.
    • The restaurants visited on the Taste of Sydney tour are some of the newest and most popular in Sydney, and yes, you do get to try a little bit of everything on the menu (we know, it sounds crazy).
    • There are restaurants serving sushi, burgers, fish, and rotisserie chicken in addition to the more traditional fare of Asia, the Middle East, Japan, Thailand, and India.
    • Hubert in the Central Business District (CBD) has recently been awarded two chef's caps (Australia's equivalent to Michelin stars) for its classical cuisine.
    • The afternoon tea at The Langham Sydney is not to be missed if you are a fan of high tea.
    • This is fine cuisine at its finest, but the prices may discourage many who would otherwise eat at one of Sydney's most talked-about eateries.
    • The 29-room boutique hotel is housed in the former warehouse and office of Paramount Picture Studios, and it features a variety of refurbished interiors, such as new timber flooring, terrazzo-tiled bathrooms, laundered linen bedding (very nice!),
    • You can walk to Barangaroo from the West, which is part of Hilton's boutique Curio Collection.
    • The 24-hour on-site restaurant and bar Solander serve a spectacular breakfast spread.

    FAQs About Sydney

    Destination NSW may enter into a relationship with a third-party ticketing agent with integration into the Vivid Sydney website. Events held in the Vivid Ideas Exchange will be required to utilise this platform for ticket sales or registrations.

    3-week

    Latest Vivid Sydney deals. With dozens of cruises sailing on the harbour, waterside restaurants with views of the lights or themed menus, hotel rooms overlooking the displays, and so much more, there are endless ways to make the most of Vivid Sydney's 3-week run time.

    The festival features free mesmerising art displays and large-scale 3D projections from local and international artists, an eclectic line-up of musical performers, thought-provoking talks from some of the world's greatest minds, and the Sydney Opera House for Lighting of the Sails and Vivid LIVE.

    Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music and ideas, held in Sydney, Australia. It includes outdoor immersive light installations and projections, performances by local and international musicians, and an ideas exchange forum featuring public talks and debates with leading creative thinkers.

    The lights were spectacular, and the activities seemed fun (interactive ones and a food bazaar); the light shows at the different landmarks (such as the Sydney opera house, contemporary museum, bridge, customs house, royal botanic garden) were just amazing to watch. Kids and adults enjoyed it!

    Vivid Ideas boasts a prestigious and tightly curated program of cutting-edge talks and seminars, structured networking events, workshops, screenings, and immersive experiences. 

    Events must be related to the creative industries, or technology sectors and must be able to take place in Sydney during the festival period - Friday 27 May – Saturday 18 June 2022. 

    Looking for propositions which aim to enlighten, inform, and challenge audiences and events that fuse artforms or present interesting ideas in unusual ways.

    Sales / business pitches or strategic marketing events which do not align with the above are not the best fit for the Vivid Ideas program.

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