Why Vivid Sydney 2023 Is a Must Experience
Mark your calendars — Vivid Sydney 2023 is right around the corner! From the 26th of May through June 17, Vivid Sydney, Naturally will transform the city into a fantasy-like, wonderland of surreal light installations, exhilarating music concerts, thought-provoking workshops, and tempting food creatives.
It’s an event you simply must experience because words will only do so much justice. From watching the city anew from one of the Vivid Sydney cruises to connecting with the natural world through captivating conversations, here are some of the reasons why you should experience the Vivid Sydney festival at least once in your lifetime.
Vivid Light
The major drawcard of Vivid Sydney is how it brings to life the city’s towering edifices, sprawling streets and laneways into a work of art. This year, the free Light Walk stretches for a record 8.5kms and covers Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Darling Quarter, The Goods Line and Central Station. Step into a glowing side of Sydney and enjoy over 60 light installations including ‘The Last Ocean’, the festival’s biggest light show to date. The ‘Lighting of the Sails: Enlivened’ on the Sydney Opera House stands as a beacon for travellers around the world and is a key light installation in every Vivid Sydney. Vivid Sydney harbour cruises are crowd-free vantage points from which you can watch this iconic attraction in all its glory.
Vivid Music
The music aspect of Vivid Sydney never seizes to amaze, bringing together national and overseas artists, both established and emerging. This year, the Vivid Music will shine focus on the First Nations voices, symbolising the powerful call nature through world’s oldest continuing living culture. Tumbalong Nights will feature 12 nights of free, uplifting music including kids music concerts on Saturdays at 5pm. That’s not all! Feel the ripple of music across the city’s iconic venues, from DJs at The Goodline, live gigs along the Light Walk, and iconic shows across the Sydney Opera House and Carriageworks.
Vivid Ideas
Vivid Sydney is not just about the lights and sound, but also about exploring new horizons through mind-bending talks, narratives, workshops and debates. Tackling this year’s centre of subject, ‘Nature’, the festival has gathered the brightest, wittiest and most sharpest minds from around the world to prod and provoke the orthodoxy surrounding the natural way of things. The Vivid Ideas Exchange is a chance for you to ask your burning questions about controversial topics such as sexuality, mental health, body transformations, the kink in us, and much more. These thought-provoking, insightful conversations are all about focusing on what matters the most — community, love, authenticity, and connection.
Vivid Food
Shortly after the huge success of Vivid Sydney 2022, it was announced that a new pillar is being added to the three cores of the festival — Vivid Food. Food is an integral part of any festival, let alone an annual cultural extravaganza, and it’s about time we make it an official pillar of Vivid Sydney. As a giant in the culinary scenes of Australia, Sydney has generated highly-acclaimed chefs, world-class diners, and venues, — the addition of this pillar is about celebrating all those and more! From street-food vendors to once-in-a-lifetime culinary experiences and innovative food displays, you find everything from burgers and fries to five-star cuisine and everything in between.
The atmosphere & aftermath
Vivid Sydney has an infectious energy that can’t be found anywhere else and attracts people from all corners of the planet. The festive atmosphere is contagious and there is no denying it. The experience will stay with you for a lifetime — the incredible light displays, music, and atmosphere create memories that you’ll cherish forever.
