Vivid Sydney Festival in Australia (26 May – 17 June)
Vivid Sydney is an annual event that breathes life into Sydney for 23 days and nights, celebrating creativity, innovation, and technology. In its 13th year in 2023, Vivid Sydney will merge art, innovation, and technology, collaborating with boundary-pushing artists, thinkers, musicians, and culinary experts.
Save the dates from May 26 to June 17, 2023, and discover the program of Light, Ideas, Music, and Food, all united under this year's artistic theme, "Vivid Sydney, Naturally."
Vivid Sydney is organized and produced by Destination NSW, the tourism and major events agency of the NSW Government.
VIVID LIGHT
Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring world of Vivid Light, where art installations and 3D light projections transform the city of Sydney into a mesmerizing wonderland.
In 2023, Vivid Sydney presents the free Light Walk, an 8.5km adventure spanning Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Darling Quarter, The Goods Line, and Central Station. Rediscover the city with 60 light attractions, including 26 international works. Experience our largest installation to date, "The Last Ocean" by American artist Jen Lewin.
In 2023, Light extends its reach to Taronga Zoo with "Wild Lights" and to The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney with "Lightscape," an enchanting 2.1km journey making its debut in Sydney. Additionally, "Dark Spectrum" opens up the secret tunnels of Wynyard Station for a unique and unprecedented experience at Vivid Sydney.
VIVID MUSIC
Music has the power to create a sense of place and foster community. It connects us to our urban surroundings, our families, our stories, and our sense of belonging. In 2023, Vivid Music will showcase artists and truth-tellers on the global stage, illuminating as beacons of togetherness and hope.
Vivid Music proudly highlights the voices of First Nations artists, whose songs have forged a connection between the oldest continuous living culture and Country for over 60,000 years. This includes performances by Yothu Yindi, Ziggy Ramo, Emma Donovan, Budjerah, and many others.
Celebrate our urban and natural environments with 23 nights of free live music at Tumbalong Park, roaming artists along the Light Walk, DJs at The Goods Line, and shows at iconic venues and landmarks such as Carriageworks and the Sydney Opera House as part of the Vivid LIVE series. Ticketed gigs feature late-night cabaret at the Vivid Sydney Supper Club at Mary's Underground, "A Bend in the River: A Tribute to Archie Roach AC," and international acts José González, Yaeji, and Cat Power.
VIVID IDEAS
As human beings, we possess immense brilliance, innovation, and creativity, yet we also face turbulent times. It is crucial to reconsider our relationship with the natural world and strive for a more sustainable future. Vivid Ideas returns in 2023 to challenge our conventional ways of thinking, whether by amplifying underrepresented communities and their use of creativity for positive change, offering cultural counterpoints to the mainstream, or creating immersive experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind. We will focus on what truly matters: community, authenticity, respect, love, and the lessons we can learn from nature.
The 2023 Ideas program will feature prominent figures such as iconoclast and renowned author Jeanette Winterson, as well as experimental psychologist Jesse Bering, among many others.
