Tag: vivid sydney

What to look forward to at VIVID Sydney this year

Vivid Sydney

Get excited because Vivid Sydney is back for its 13th year and the opening night was nothing short of spectacular. The night featured a Welcome to Country ceremony, fireworks, drone shows and a Lighting of the Sails at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Indigenous artists representing different language groups added a special touch to the ceremony with an incredible performance. The festival will run for 23 days and will showcase over 300 events featuring the world’s most innovative artists, talented musicians and thought leaders. This year’s theme, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally,’ celebrates Mother Nature as the master creator of all things beautiful. You can expect to be blown away by the stunning art installations that are inspired by nature, among other things. Australia’s largest event has expanded to become a world-class program shining a light on all cultural aspects of the city and drawing in visitors from all over the world. With a variety of activations and events happening across various locations in Sydney, including Circular Quay, Taronga Zoo, and the Royal Botanic Garden, there is something for everyone. This year’s program is the biggest in the festival’s history. Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said, “I am looking forward especially to Vivid Music – seeing our venues come alive with some incredible artists – it is one of the best programs to date.” And Festival Director Gill Minervini added, “We have raised the bar on the size and scale of the events and activated new parts of the city. Our lineup features more diverse… Read More

What’s on for Dark Spectrum this VIVID Sydney

Dark Spectrum Sydney light red

Sydney on 26 May, running until 16 July before touring the world.After three years of intense preparation, the highly-anticipated immersive journey of light and sound known as Dark Spectrum is set to debut in Australia’s largest festival, Vivid Sydney. The first of its kind in the world, Dark Spectrum aims to take visitors on a intense exploration of the human experience, featuring themes such as separation, pressure, reflection and revelation, all represented by individual colours of light which explode within eight unique spaces. Incorporating state-of-the-art technology such as music, robotics, and laser systems, visitors will be able to step inside each artwork as part of a six-week long display. As they wander through the tunnels, visitors will be treated to a five-minute soundtrack in each space, accompanied by a constantly evolving atmosphere, resulting in an overload of light and sound that will trigger unique emotions with every transition. The experience will be highly immersive, with restricted visitor groups entering the tunnels in order to avoid overcrowding. Some portions of the tunnels, originally built in the 1930s as part of Wynyard Station’s unused Platforms 1 and 2, have never before been open to the public, adding an extra layer of exclusivity to the already highly-anticipated event. As visitors move from one tunnel to the next, they will enter new colours of the spectrum, each with its own unique energy, music, and visual effects. Each room in the display is thematically arranged to represent different aspects of the human experience. For example, the first room, titled “Separation”,… Read More

Novotel Sydney does VIVID Sydney

Novotel hotel VIVID woman lights

If you’re planning to visit Sydney this May and June, Novotel Sydney Central should definitely be on your list. The VIVID Festival, an annual festival of light, music and ideas, is coming back and they have something exciting in store for all ages. Novotel Sydney Central has partnered with Sugar Republic to bring an interactive illuminated ball pit to their lobby during the festival. Filled with colorful balls, surrounded by neon lights and available to the general public and guests alike. It’s the perfect way for grown-ups to relive their childhood memories, and for kids to simply have fun! Oh, and let’s not forget about the perfect photo-op for avid Instagrammers! For those wanting to stay closer to the action, Novotel Sydney Central has announced a special VIVID package. This includes an overnight stay in a twin room, buffet breakfast where kids eat free, parking, and a welcome pack consisting of a bottle of wine for adults and a kids pack comprising of soft drinks and glow sticks! But it’s not just about staying at the hotel, because the Thomas St Kitchen and Bar will be offering special VIVID cocktails and food – making this the perfect date night or weekend getaway. So mark your calendar for the 19th of May to the 18th of June, and don’t miss out on Novotel Sydney Central’s VIVID activation. It’s the perfect place to create new memories and have a ball! Make a booking at the Novotel website

Where to get the best view of the city this VIVID Sydney light festival

Sydney Harbour Bridge

VIVID Sydney is the city’s annual celebration of light, music and experience the city-wide, offering locals and visitors yet another reason to head into town – other than to eat at Sydney’s quality restaurants – to enjoy what the city can put on. And the best view for it all, of course, is from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, courtesy of BridgeClimb. Following the sell-out success of the Vivid Sydney Climb in 2022, BridgeClimb is excited to announce they are expanding their Vivid Sydney program with four extraordinary experiences on the iconic Harbour Bridge, such as: Vivid Sydney Climb  This climb is the original Vivid Climb, available from 26 May to 17 June 2023. The Vivid Sydney Climb is an unforgettable experience that offers you the chance to ascend to the Summit of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge during the world’s largest festival of light, music, and ideas and immerse yourself as the city transforms into a mesmerising canvas of colour, light, and sound.  Light Up Your Senses at the Pylon  This climb is a Vivid Sydney first, offering a uniquely Vivid Sydney experience hosted by BridgeClimb within the iconic South-East Pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This hidden gem, which is a historic landmark, will be open to the public for the first time during the festival, providing guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to indulge in the unique views, local sounds, and flavours of New South Wales. Luke’s Vivid Table at the Pylon Lookout  This year, with VIVID on and in partnership with chef Luke… Read More

Best ways to celebrate VIVID Sydney in The Rocks

Rocks Sydney vivid sydney

Vivid Sydney is on! From 28 May to 18 June, the city comes to light in celebration of the artistry, culture and propensity to celebrate that is the city of Sydney. If you missed our best date night suggestions for the public event period, then scroll down for some more ways to celebrate that are less date-y and more let’s go out and have fun. For food, head to… 6HEAD will deliver an ultimate sensory experience through theatrical gastronomy, where you will have all five senses stimulated as they embark on a culinary journey designed to fascinate. The Rocks Markets will be hosting evenings of tasty treats throughout Vivid Sydney to keep you fuelled up, from pizza and gozleme to gelato, dumplings, crepes, BBQ and more. Throughout the lit-up stalls, visitors can also explore handmade jewellery, fabrics and gifts. And as a bonus, there’ll also be live music! Sights, eats and tunes? Sorted. Tayim’s outdoor alfresco dining courtyard, complete with glowing decorations, for the perfect opportunity to stop and fill up during their Vivid Sydney journey with falafels and fresh lamb skewers with a side of delicious cocktails and wine.  Creperie Suzette, who will be serving up rainbow bagels and glitter coffees throughout the festival. Afterwards, stop by The Tea Cosy, who is transforming their courtyard on Atherden Street into a glow-themed garden, with neon lighting, glowing furniture and special menu items from Thursday to Sunday. For drinks, head to… Blu Bar on 36 has carefully curated a special Vivid Sydney Menu which is available… Read More

Date nights for VIVID Sydney in 2022

Harbour View Sydney food

If you’re not climbing up Sydney Harbour Bridge or getting together at one of the many gin opportunities that lie before you this VIVID Sydney 2022, then perhaps date night’s on the cards. The Harbour View Hotel is putting on the festival of lights and visual art in their own way. And by offering delicious takeaway meals with drinks so there’s no need to worry about dinner before exploring the exhibitions around The Rocks. The Harbour View Hotel will be launching a special pop-up glow bar, serving glow in the dark cocktails outside their historic venue in The Rocks. This limited edition glow bar will be available throughout Vivid (from 27th May until 18th June), making it easy to sip on cocktails while you take in the stunning light installations of Vivid.  The Harbour View Hotel will also be selling takeaway packs so you can wander through The Rocks and find the perfect picnic spot overlooking the harbour and Vivid lights. The Harbour View Hotel Vivid Takeaway pack (for $95) includes: Antipasto for 2 Stir fried noodles with chicken bites and capsicum x 2 Flatbread bread with roasted capsicum dipping sauce  x 2  4 x Smirnoff Seltzers  1 x Blanket For more information, head to the Harbour View website

Drink gin at Bombay Sapphire’s ‘House of Bombay’ bar at VIVID Sydney

House of Bombay

Darling Quarter is about to become the home of gin this VIVID Sydney and if ever there was a time to be curious, it’s now. Head to the House of Bombay. Located in Tumblong Park, Darling Quarter; a new Vivid Sydney location in Darling Harbour, guests of House of Bombay will experience an exhilarating fusion of creativity, innovation, technology and delicious cocktails. With the ability to host over 500 people, this limited-time-only bar is the perfect meeting place along this year’s Vivid Sydney Light Walk. Think views, colours, flavours and a hell of a lot of excitement for 23 nights, from Friday 27 May to Saturday 18 June, with more than 200+ events celebrating the essence of Sydney’s soul including its diversity, beauty, resilience, First Nations culture, and vibrant creative community. For more of what’s on and how to get involved, head to the House of Bombay website

Vivid light festival returns to the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Vivid Sydney Harbour Bridge

The annual Vivid light festival is coming back to Sydney 27 May to 18 June and the world renowned Sydney Opera House is getting in on the action. Running from Thursday to Monday throughout the festival period, the first Vivid Climb will go each afternoon and anyone walking will reach the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in time to witness Sydney’s soul come alive with a dazzling display of colour. And this year, in a BridgeClimb first, Vivid Climb groups will also be greeted with light installations throughout their pre-climb journey and will get to top off their night with a complimentary post-climb gin and tonic in the pop-up Hendrick’s Gin Unusual Celebration Bar. If you’re fancying a climb, then you’re looking at two options to see the lights this year… Vivid Photographer Tour + Masterclass: a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the South-East Pylon’s Gundeck (not usually open to the public) with a short masterclass on night time shooting followed by a Vivid photography session with Glenn McKimmin. Pylon & Picasso: an art class, hosted by Pinot & Picasso, atop the beloved Sydney Harbour Bridge’s South-East Pylon, starting with a guided tour of the BridgeClimb Pylon Lookout & Museum before the art class commences from the lookout level. For more and to make a booking, head to the Bridge Climb Sydney website

Dinners for VIVID Sydney: Experience dining in the dark at 12 Micron Barangaroo

12 Micron VIVID Sydney

VIVID Sydney, the festival of light is back on again in 2019 and joining the long list of venues around town that’re celebrating is 12 Micron in Barangaroo. Perrier Jouet champagne are heading in to the swanky 12 Micron to deliver an immersive and multi-sensory art and culinary experience throughout VIVID festival. The restaurant’s private dining room and bar will be transformed from 24 May to 15 June into a light exhibition and play host to a dining in the dark series to artfully combine gastronomy, music, art and light. It’s all been inspired by the ‘Art of the Wild’ campaign by Perrier Jouet, which re-imagines nature in a vibrant, magnetic and spectacularly vivid way. The menu has been designed by 12-Micron’s Executive Chef Daniel Corbett will use darkness to heighten diner’s senses of taste, smell and sound to play with the flavours of the food and Champagne to deliver an incredibly unique dining experience. Get the experience from 7.30pm every Thursday – Sunday night during VIVID. See more at the 12 Micron website.

Best crepes in Sydney for Vivid Festival: Four Frogs Creperie

Four Frogs crepes

The countdown is on to Vivid Sydney, where spectacular light exhibitions transform the city over a three week period commencing Friday 24 May. While there will be events taking place all over the city, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House and The Rocks will no doubt take centre stage during this iconic light festival. As the city illuminates from 6pm each evening, you’ll probably want to grab dinner before, after or in between discovering the inspiring light installations. The nights will be cool, so what better way to warm up than indulging in a warm glass of mulled French cider and a delicious crepe at Circular Quay’s Four Frogs Creperie. Founded by four Frenchmen who fell in love with Australia, Four Frogs Creperie is the real deal when it comes to mouth-watering sweet crepes and galettes (savoury crepes). With over 50 variations of a mix of crepes and galettes on offer, even the fussiest eaters amongst us will find something to satisfy. For those seeking a traditional French galette, you can’t go past the La tartiflette which is produced with bacon, Swiss and raclette cheese, potato and onion slow-cooked in cider. You can choose to add an egg to the topping, which is highly recommended if you really want to enjoy the complete ‘la tartiflette’ experience. We’ll also let you in on a very important tip, particularly during those cold evenings by the harbour: the homemade mulled cider is exceptionally good, so why not spoil yourself and order a glass to accompany your meal. Made with… Read More