Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is returning to the city in May with a whole new program of light, music, ideas and food.
With a new theme, Humanity, the arts festival is set to bring the Sydney CBD and harbour alight with a sensational series of events over 23 nights.
From dazzling light installations to culinary experiences and live music, we’ve selected the six best events to catch at this year’s Vivid Sydney.
The Best Events To See At Vivid Sydney 2024
1. See The Sydney Opera House Light Up
Sydney Opera House’s annual light show is the very heart of Vivid festival.
This year will see the artist Julia Gutman’s textural work, Lighting of the Sails: Echo take over the sails with a unique vision of Roman poet Ovid’s myth of Narcissus.
To see the display you can head over to the Opera House, or pack a picnic and catch it from the Kirribilli foreshore or alternatively, from on the Harbour Bridge.
When: 24th May – 15th June, 6pm to 11pm
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
2. Join Amy Poehler At A Vivid Ideas Conversation
This year, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actress and comedian, Amy Poehler, will be travelling to Sydney for a special In Conversation event.
The event won’t only give you the chance to see your favourite Parks And Recreation star in real life but will also include a special first look at Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2.
When: 27th May, 7pm – 8.40pm
Where: Sydney Opera House – Joan Sutherland Theatre, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
3. Dance The Night Away At Tumbalong Nights
Tumbalong Nights is the live music centre of Vivid, with free live music performances every night for 12 nights.
With international and Australian artists performing, the program includes the likes of Multi-generational First Nations group Jalbu Muna, Sydney’s fvaourite party animals Bare Necessities, and Melbourne singer Mallrat.
There’s also going to children’s acts every Saturday.
When: 24th May – 15th June
Where: Tumbalong Park, 11 Harbour St, Sydney
4. Try Global Street Food At Vivid Fire Kitchen
For gastronomic delights, you need to head to Vivid’s Fire Kitchen, where a global selection of street food will be cooked on an open flame by master chefs including California-favourite Shalamar Lane, Australian culinary legend Christine Manfield, First Nations chef and restaurateur Mindy Woods, local pitmaster Lennox Hastie, Texas based Aussie BBQ legend Jess Pryles, Australian hospo veteran John McFadden and the Apollo Group’s Oscar Solomon
While there will be an abundance of international flavours, there’s also going to be a big focus on produce from NSW—all cooked under the flame.
When: 24th May – 15th June, 6PM – 11PM
Where: The Goods Line, Ultimo Pedestrian Network, Ultimo NSW 2000
5. The Grand Silky Ball
Sydney-based QTPOC collective, Elite Kiki House of Silky are celebrating five years of family, fashion, and voguing excellence with The Grand Silky Ball at Machine Hall Precinct.
Having been a favourite at both Sydney World Pride 2023 and Australian Fashion Week, the group’s next party is going to one of their most fun and fierce.
When: 8 June, ^6pm – 12pm
Where: Machine Hall Precinct, 183 Clarence St, Sydney, NSW 2000
6. See The Nest Light Installation
Vivid is known for its dazzling light displays and shows, and this year’s Nest is set to be one of the most mesmerising.
Barangaroo’s Stargazer Lawn see, Brolga’s, one of only two species of crane native to Australia, and their ritualistic mating dance projected into the space between city, sky and ground.
When: 24th May – 15th June, 6pm to 11pm
Where: Stargazer Lawn, 27 Hickson Rd, Barangaroo NSW 2000
