Vivid has officially taken over Sydney's skyline for a 13th year after opening night began with a dazzling display, which lit up 8.5 kilometres of the harbour.
Vivid Sydney 2023 is promising to offer more musical acts, culinary delights and evocative ideas in its "biggest and most culturally relevant" program ever.
The festival has proved to be one of the state's biggest and most profitable tourist attractions, with this year's festival offering more than 50 light installations scattered around Sydney's CBD from May 26 until June 17.
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The lineup of "ideas, music and food" will fit into this year's theme of "naturally".
Road closures will be in place across the CBD throughout the festival period, with extra closures on weekends.
Locals and visitors alike can traipse around the city to take in many of the sights for free, however, there are some ticketed events, more controversially at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Entry to the previously free "after-dark oasis of botanical brilliance" will cost adults $40 and children up to 13 $28 at peak times, or $128 for a family with two kids.
Here's a breakdown of the most popular events and which ones you will need to pay for.
What can I see at Vivid?
This year's theme, "Vivid Sydney, Naturally", will reflect nature across more than 300 attractions in the festival's 14th year.
"Come Friday, the bright lights of Vivid Sydney will once again transform our city, mesmerise, delight and inspire, and I encourage both visitors and Sydneysiders alike to take part in this year's festival," Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said.
Free attractions at Vivid
The main attraction of the festival remains the 57 light projections and installations that span eight kilometres of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk which includes Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour.
There will also be six free light shows that feature 1000 drones dancing over Circular Quay.
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Written in the Stars is billed to be the biggest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere and runs for 10 minutes from 9pm on the following dates:
- Sunday, May 28
- Wednesday, May 31
- Sunday, June 4
- Wednesday, June 7
- Monday, June 12
- Wednesday, June 14
The Last Ocean by American artist Jen Lewin is another free installation, lighting up Stargazer Lawn in Barangaroo for the entirety of Vivid.
The "massive tessellated ice sheet" is made from reclaimed ocean plastic that lights up in different ways when stepped on.
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Vivid House, being hosted in The Cutaway in Barangaroo, is another option that won't break the bank.
Vivid House offers a 360-degree experience through four themes of photo artworks exploring Australia's natural landscapes and oceans.
The installation includes floor-to-ceiling projections of sealife photography, taken by award-winning photographer Craig Parry.
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Families can check out Vivid Kids @ Tumbalong Park for free children's acts ahead of a night of live music from 5pm on Saturdays.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, the ASN Clock Tower and the Sydney Opera House will also have artworks projected on them throughout the festival, the latter featuring the late John Olsen's work.
A festival favourite water and light show will return to Darling Harbour, with 80-metre water shooters, flames, projection and pyro technics accompanied by an original soundtrack.
What's on for Vivid Music?
Live music events, highlighting First Nations voices like Yothu Yindi, will be on offer throughout the festival.
Vivid Music will host a total of 67 concerts at 14 venues across the Sydney CBD, but many require tickets so make sure you check the website for availability.
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There's free music every night at Tumbalong Park and roaming artists along the light walk.
Or you can catch acts at locations like The Goods Line, Carriageworks and the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Artists like David Campbell will perform at the Sydney Supper Club's late-night cabaret held inside Mary's Underground.
Other highlights include A Bend in the River: A Tribute to Archie Roach AC and José González.
Live music events can cost up to $110.
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What's on for Vivid Food?
This year will see the launch of Vivid Food, which will host 282 events across 18 venues.
The program includes pop-up restaurants to showcase the city's wide-ranging culinary culture.
Vivid's Chef Series will host four internationally renowned chefs in restaurants around Sydney for a unique food experience.
For between $125 and $160 a head, punters will get a five to six-course meal, each with a different focus and cuisine depending on the chef.
Tickets to the Chef Series and further information can be found here.
For those looking for more affordable food options, the Carrigeworks night markets will be open offering a range of food.
What's on at Vivid Ideas?
Neurodivergence, plastic surgery, the power of grief and where humanity is headed.
These are among the thought-provoking panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations and featured talks for the festival's "ideas" offering.
Creatives from all over the globe are converging for Vivid and you can catch some of the 38 for free.
Others will be ticketed, many about the $30 mark.
Actress Jennifer Coolidge - one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2023 - will join White Lotus show creator Mike White to discuss the show.
Playing into the theme, from aspects of human nature like monogamy to the nature that's outside and the power of the ocean - there's an array of options to choose from.
You can see the schedule here.
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Where can I see Vivid?
Vivid will take place across the Sydney CBD, with installations at Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line and Central Station.
Iconic buildings such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Museum of Contemporary Art will be lit up as part of the show.
The full program can be found on Vivid's website here.
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