Australia’s largest festival of lights, music and ideas returns from May 24 to June 15 with sparkling installations, thought-provoking talks, a mouthwatering food trail and even a rave train this year. If you’re wondering how and where to start, the Vivid Sydney Light Walk is the most comprehensive way to experience the best of Vivid with a series of installations, beautiful art, illuminated displays and pop-ups dotted along the way, all shining a light on the 2024 theme “Humanity“. The picturesque walk kicks off at Circular Quay, winding past The Rocks, Barangaroo, Wynyard and Darling Harbour, ending at The Goods Line. Most of the highlights throughout the walk are free but there are some ticketed events to keep on your radar. Here are all the essential pitstops you need to make and things to do along the popular Light Walk.
Vivid Sydney Light Walk, 2024
The lights switch on every evening at 6pm and although the self-guided walk can be undertaken from several different starting points, we recommend kicking things off at Circular Quay in the heart of all the action.
Start your evening at Customs House where can enjoy an adorable display of Gumscape with Road and Creatures from 6pm to 11pm every evening. Kids will find the show especially delightful with wild and wonderful creatures like robots and one-eyed koalas displayed on the heritage-listed building.
From here, make a quick detour to First Fleet Park at The Rocks for Embrace — an installation of glowing, life-sized silhouettes that respond to touch, depicting the necessity and joy of human connection. Don’t forget to stop a while and take in the Lighting of the Sails: Echo at the Sydney Opera House which will light up in 2024 with the works of 2023 Archibald prize winner and Sydney-based artist Julia Gutman.
A quick walk down the Queen Elizabeth II Gate via the Sydney Opera House forecourt will bring you to the Royal Botanic Garden which is hosting the sparkling Lightscape experience again in 2024. Walk along a 1.8km trail in the garden and discover glowing tunnels, giant flowers, a sea of lights and many more picture-perfect elements. Do note, that Lightscape is a ticketed event; you can purchase your tickets here.
Alternatively, you could make a detour toward The Rocks and Walsh Bay and enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s facade lit up with Sea, Sand and Stars, a compelling display by Chinese-Australian artist Guan Wei which will depict the ocean, the galaxy and everything in between.
Mere minutes away, you’ll find Horizon, a highlight event in Barangaroo that promises an immersive experience to visitors as they gaze at a giant screen in the distance.
Other installations to check out in the vicinity of Barangaroo include Nest — where you can step into a circular structure surrounded by giant cranes, Portal, a 15-metre tall display covered with LED lights and Stateless which features thousands of candles representing light in darkness.
Closer to Wynyard, an underground adventure awaits at Dark Spectrum: A New Journey, a stunning light and sound show within the derelict Wynyard tunnels. Discover lasers, glowing lanterns and eight splendid chambers on the 1-km trail. This is a ticketed event — book your spot here.
An easy 10-minute walk will take you to Darling Harbour where you can enjoy a holographic light and laser show called Hika Rakuyo which will take place over the water on repeat from 6pm every evening.
End your walk at the Vivid Fire Kitchen at the Goods Line where you can enjoy food and drink from the many food stalls and barbecue stands. You’ll also spot flame throwers, stunning fire sculptures and fire pits to warm up around courtesy of Fireplaces.
There is a lot more to see along the meandering 8km trail, find some of our favourite highlights here.
If you’re planning to go on the Light Walk during the drone shows, head here for more information.
Find the full downloadable map for the Vivid Sydney Light Walk here.