Vivid Sydney 2023: 4 Events You Don’t Want To Miss

In Sydney, the last couple of days during the month of May marks the arrival of winter. As we brace ourselves for the cold, we’re also eagerly anticipating Vivid Sydney, the annual extravaganza of light, sound, and ideas. The biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid has never failed to impress ever since it first hit the scene back in ‘09.

An absolute feast for all the senses, Sydney gets into the mood for three straight weeks, transforming the whole city into a canvas of stunning light displays, electrifying soundscapes, enlightening talks and workshops, and iconic late-night shows!
It’s been almost three days since the festival launched its official lineup of programs. Here are some of my favourites worth looking forward to.

Lighting Of The Sails: Life Enlivened

This is your sign to get those tickets to the popular Vivid cruises and watch the Opera House shine the brightest – from the waters! ‘Lighting of The Sails’ has been a fan favourite for quite some time now and has been putting up unique and symbolic displays on the sails of the Opera House every year. Legendary Aussie artist John Olsen will put his 60 years of experience to work as his vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural realm animate the famous sails. 

A representation of Aussie natural landscapes and the life within, it doesn't get any more ‘Australian’ than this. For a crowd-free vantage point to witness this spectacle, and to get those ‘Pinterest-perfect’ snaps to slay your socials, there is no better option than the popular Vivid Sydney cruises. Although they tend to sell out pretty quickly, if you’re early enough you can get ‘em easily!

Here Now

It was announced in the later months of 2022 that Food is going to be an integral part of the festival going forward, and VIvid Food is going to be the newest addition to the core. This year’s lineup includes culinary creatives in food, and one of them is Here Now, which is a day-to-night profusion of mouth-watering food, wine, music and art, bringing together the most prominent names, cult favourites and prospects in the game, who are forging new pathways in the industry. Exclusively for the 11th of June, it’s your ultimate chance to eat, drink and dance your soul out!

Nocturne

This year’s Light Walk is special, not only because it is longer than the previous ones, but also for being the gateway to a unique audio-sensory experience! A Vivid exclusive, the internationally acclaimed group, one step at a time like this, is bringing an ASMR-like experience which will navigate you through the historic laneways and streets of The Rocks, before resting under the stars for a stargazing session.

In this adventure experience, your ears will lead the way as evocative fragments of lost memories and late-night whispers about darkness and the unknown enter your consciousness. Plug in and start exploring!

Tumbalong Nights ( Free Music )

12 nights of free live music by artists from Africa to Arnhem Land, with an open invitation to dance your heart out?! Sign me up! Tumbalong Park is the place to be for free electrifying performances, right in the heart of Light Walk. Just like every year, the rhythms and beats of these music concerts are sure to be pulsed all around the CBD.

As your favourite Sydney acts and DJs keep the vibes at an all-time high from Sunday to Wednesdays, kids can get their groove on as Vivid Kids look to bring the heat every Saturday, before lights on. Find the full dates, lineups and other information on the main website.