VIVID Events In Sydney
A Winter Light Festival of Arts and Ideas

VIVID events in Sydney start in late May. With stunning light shows on the Opera House and other important buildings around town, this winter festival of arts and ideas gets better each year. Add it to your calendar of must see Sydney events.

URBANSCREEN (Germany) Lighting the Sails

VIVID Sydney starts in late May and goes through early June. In 2013 that means from 24 May to 10 June. So it works for both May vacations or a June holiday.

From 1800-2400 (6pm to midnight) you'll see more than 50 fantastic light shows playing around the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay.

The first must see will be the large scale 3D projections on the sails of the Opera House - this is the signature light show of the festival.

There's more to VIVID events in Sydney than just the lights, but let's start with them. They're all free, and family friendly too.

VIVID Pictures

What will you see?

Art sculptures, interactive installations and illuminated buildings will be on show every night from 6pm to midnight. Don't forget your camera - the pictures you'll get will be amazing!

Expect to see colourful, 3D mapped projections on Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Customs House, all in Circular Quay. These will be some of the most spectacular lighting events in Sydney.

Vivid pictures: Interactive Colour Cubed

The action is not confined to the Quay area and not all limited to after dark. This year, to commemorate the bicentenary of Richard Wagner's birth, the Conservatorium has a spectacular multimedia show Wagnerlicht based on the Ring Cycle. It runs from 0900-2000 (9am - 8pm).

There's a downloadable map showing the installations and suggested walking paths for the most extensive views of the light shows.

You'll find links to the map and the full program of events on the VIVID website

Very Special Arts Festival

Along with the light shows and sculptures, music is an integral part of VIVID events in Sydney. The Opera House is the winter festival's key music venue.

The 2013 Opera House program includes Kraftwerk, Bobby Womack and Australian artist Gurrumul.

Festival of Ideas

VIVID Ideas is a program of public and industry events in Sydney focusing on creative ideas, discussion and collaboration.

The creative hub of VIVID Sydney, many of the events will be hosted at the MCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, but check the program for venues and times.

Packed Inteligence: VIVID Ideas and events in Sydney

The program includes keynote talks, information sessions and discussion panels, all open to the public (some have charges).

Topics range from electronic gaming, fashion, film, and design to publishing, architecture and photography.

More Festival Help

The MCA, 2012 Sydney Light Festival

Apps and Audio Guides are available to help you plan your nights on the town.

All the details are on the VIVID Sydney home page

There's also an information booth at Customs House, Circular Quay. Nearby, a LED pillar displays maps and artwork details.

To encourage you to use public transport there is a free Harbour Shuttle.

The free ferries running each night from 1800-2400 (6 pm to midnight) on a loop encompassing Walsh Bay, Kirribilli and Pyrmont. Ferries run roughly every 40 minutes, more often between 2000-2200 (8pm-10pm).

Best Sydney Hotels For VIVID

It's hard to go past the Hotel Intercontinental if you're looking at luxury Sydney hotels. Its location is spot on for access to the main light installations, plus having great views over the area as well.

In 4 star hotels Sydney has one cbd hotel near to the harbour, The Menzies Sydney Hotel

And there are plenty of other hotels in all price brackets, also well located for these events in Sydney. Here are the best Sydney hotel deals to choose from.

Latest News and Photos

Have a look at the photos I took of the Sydney Opera House crumbling to pieces in 2012. They were my favourite show stopping spectacular part of this years VIVID events in Sydney!

VIVID Sydney 2012

The Sydney Opera House

Going, going, almost gone

Some images courtesy of VIVID Sydney website