Sydney Harbour was bathed in colour and creativity tonight as the 15th edition of Vivid Sydney — Australia’s largest annual event — officially launched in spectacular style.
Running over 23 nights until Saturday, 14 June, Vivid 2025 invites visitors to dream big, with an ambitious and immersive programme spanning Light, Ideas, Music and Food.
This year’s theme, “Dream”, sets the tone for a festival that promises to push boundaries and challenge perceptions, transforming the Harbour City into a luminous canvas of innovation and imagination.
More than 200 events will unfold across five festival zones in the city’s CBD, with over 75% of the programme free to access, including the hugely popular Vivid Light Walk. A notable highlight for 2025 is the return of Martin Place to the festival’s footprint — back for the first time in seven years.
“This year, we invite you to dream—without limits, without borders—as you immerse yourself in our most diverse, interactive and ambitious program yet,” said Gill Minervini, Vivid Sydney Festival Director.
“Wander through glowing installations, soak up genre-spanning sounds, expand your thinking through bold conversations, and follow your senses as chefs serve up flavours from across the globe.”
Vivid Sydney 2025 boasts a star-studded line-up with appearances from some of the world’s most recognisable names in entertainment, cuisine, and culture. Highlights include lifestyle legend Martha Stewart, culinary icon Nigella Lawson, actors and comedians Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, and Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, among many others.
The festival opened with the ceremonial First Light event at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay, featuring a stirring performance by NAISDA dancers honouring Yolngu culture from Arnhem Land. At 6pm, Sydney Harbour ignited with a breathtaking display of pyrotechnics, projections, and large-scale light installations, illuminating the city’s skyline and iconic landmarks.
The evening continued with First Light Live, a free concert celebrating the power and pride of First Nations music, kicking off a music programme that blends free street gigs, local artists, and international stars.
The 2025 programme features a range of immersive experiences across its four signature pillars:
- Vivid Light: A curated trail of cutting-edge installations and projections across city landmarks, inviting playful, interactive engagement.
- Vivid Ideas: Bold talks and panel discussions with thought leaders across business, tech, and culture.
- Vivid Music: From ambient soundscapes to genre-defying performances, expect surprises around every corner.
- Vivid Food: A global celebration of flavour, featuring headline appearances by celebrated chefs and pop-up collaborations across Sydney’s diverse culinary scene.
With tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors expected to descend on the city, Vivid Sydney 2025 is once again a major drawcard for tourism and culture, combining artistic spectacle with economic impact.
For full details on events, locations, and planning your experience, visit vividsydney.com.