Just when you thought Vivid Sydney couldn’t get any better, 2025 has flipped the script! Vivid Sydney is all about the big, bold and bright and we're expecting spotlight attractions like the Opera House to flex its neon muscles and Darling Harbour to send reverberations down the city with its electrifying concerts.
But beyond the headliners, you'll find heaps of “did you see that” moments and unexpected wonders that’ll make you fall in love with the city all over again. Here are some of those special moments that you won't find on the official brochure!
Let's start off with the biggest surprise of 2025! The drones have taken a backseat this year. But guess what?! Our local cruise operators have donned their capes and teamed up with the Australian Commercial Marine Group to bring a dazzling fireworks spectacle to Sydney Harbour. That's right! On select nights, the harbour skies will burst into dream-like colours and patterns, with fireworks launching from the eastern side of Fort Denison. And the best views in town? ONLY on one of our 2025 Vivid Sydney cruises!
Vivid Sydney is perhaps the only time you’ll see the city party like it’s New Year’s Eve – and keep it up for three whole weeks. There's something about the festival that makes everyone extra friendly, maybe it's the shared sense of wonder. You'll chat with strangers about voice-activated installations, the shape-shifting rods or the life-like swans you saw on a cruise. It's a kind of camaraderie that's made possible only by Vivid Sydney!
The backbone of the festival is undoubtedly the luminous art displays and 3D installations that turn the city into an open, vogue-ish gallery. But there's one magical moment that goes unnoticed almost every night, the 'Lights On'. The 'Lights On' at 6pm is just what it sounds — it's when all the light installations come alive together like one synchronised display that transforms the city into a lit-up wonderland in just milliseconds! Be on time for ‘Lights On’!
Sometimes, it's not just about the light displays, but how it dances off the water that makes it even more mesmerising. Walk along the harbourside or better yet, join a Vivid harbour cruise to catch sight of the mirrored masterpiece rippling beneath the city skyline. These lil’ pieces of art add to the dynamic waterfront installations — blink and you'll miss it!
Vivid Sydney features a curated lineup of programs, but that doesn't mean there won't be any surprising performances or impromptu street art. Laneways and streets that you usually don't give much attention to often become hidden gems filled with neon wall art or soundscapes. Who knows, maybe a street performer might pop-up with his own rendition of the 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which might end up being your favourite soundtrack of the festival!
So, this year, as you're exploring the must-see, headlining installations and events, keep an eye (and ear) out for these equally magical, off-the-script moments that add to the festival extravaganza. This is VIVID Sydney! See you there!
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