The Southern Hemisphere’s largest arts festival is returning this winter for 23 nights of unforgettable cultural experiences. Exploring the theme “Humanity” in 2024, Vivid Sydney will once again transform the Harbour City with a sparkling showcase of light installations, 3D projections, live music performances, and a delicious Vivid Food program. The line-up examines traits that define humans — love, kindness, compassion and creativity — through interactive experiences and immersive shows across the 23-day program.
“Vivid Sydney brings together important parts of Sydney’s culture – Light, Music, Ideas and Food. It celebrates what’s great and unique about our city, and our state and creates a uniquely Sydney experience. That’s why it’s been so popular over so many years,” John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, and Minister for the Arts said.
“This year’s festival will have a variety of free and cost-effective events on offer to provide many opportunities for people to come together and celebrate.”
Vivid Sydney 2024
Vivid 2024 will feature four primary components: Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food. Large-scale and immersive projections, experiences and artworks make up Vivid Light which includes a 40km stretch of rainbow lasers displayed from the Sydney Tower as a universal symbol of hope by US artist Yvette Mattern this year.
Vivid Music will include live performances, concerts, DJ sets and more organised across a variety of venues in Sydney. venues. Tumbalong Nights will also return with its popular free program, spotlighting fresh and established talent including Budjerah, grentperez and Mallrat. Sydney’s latest cultural hotspot, Machine Hall Precinct, will also join the party with headliners like Deerhoof, Jen Cloher and No Fixed Address.
Take a break from admiring the light installations and add Vivid Ideas to your itinerary. With theatre, engaging discussions and thought-provoking talks taking centrestage, the program is carefully curated for thinkers and intellectuals. Highlights include A Thousand Ways: And Encounter, which encourages and cultivates connections with strangers, Shifting Perspectives, an immersive dance and art installation and the Golden Age of Humanity, which will see influential Australians at Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema for film screenings and discussions.
Vivid Food will put Sydney’s diverse food landscapes and offerings at the forefront with a line-up of exciting foodie events. Vivid Fire Kitchen will make a return at a new location of The Goods Line. Plus, watch out for A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez which will showcase women in Australian gastronomy, and VividPlace Food Trail will spotlight over 20 top chefs and restaurateurs.
Vivid Sydney 2024 program highlights
Wondering where to start in such a sprawling line-up? Check out our top picks of the most exciting Vivid Sydney events in 2024.
- Global Rainbow by US artist Yvette Mattern will beam rainbow lasers from Sydney’s tallest building, Sydney Tower and extend up to a staggering 40km as a showcase of hope and love.
- Lighting of the Sails returns to the Sydney Opera House featuring works by Archibald Prize winner, Julia Gutman. Catch it on the ever-popular Vivid Sydney Light Walk.
- Sea, Sand and Stars will take over the Museum of Contemporary Art with works by Chinese Australian artist Guan Wei.
- Aurorae at Bennelong Bar will feature a bespoke cocktail and dining experience with Vivid Lights shining bright in the background.
- Hika Rakuyo is an 8-minute light and laser show delighting visitors with native Australian flowers blooming across the night sky.
- After a hugely successful run in 2023, Lightscape returns to the Royal Botanic Garden with a re-imagined offering presenting glowing tunnels, giant flowers, sparkling tree canopies and a lot more.
- Window Dressing offers a look into the diverse complexities of human life at the University of Technology.
- Shifting Perspectives features a huge mirror maze in an immersive dance and art installation with dancers weaving in and out at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
- Arnhem Land’s Ngulmiya will present a dazzling evening of traditional storytelling through song on June 14 at Machine Hall Precinct.
- Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House will see 50 Australian and international artists including Air, Arca, Underworld, Fever Ray, Sky Ferreira, Devonté at more take to the stage.
- 13 nights of music and dining experiences will take over Carriageworks’ 2024 Vivid program.
- Sex Work: A Legal and Social History will offer insight into the sex industry of Kings Cross and Darlinghurst.
Find the full program for Vivid Sydney 2024 here and clear your calendars from May 24 to June 15.