Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Carriageworks during a set by Mall Grab.Mall Grab has reshaped the global electronic landscape, cementing himself as one of Australia’s most influential DJs and producers.
Every year Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, transforms Sydney into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation and community connection.
Over 23 nights, light installations, music, minds and food inspire global audiences and encourage cultural exchange across the Harbour City.
If you haven’t visited Vivid Sydney before (or need a refresher), read on. Discover the best vantage points to see the Light Walk, how to score the best tickets and where to savour the most delicious food and drinks. Find everything you need to know below.
Sydney lights up at 6pm every night
From Friday, 22 May to Saturday, 13 June the lights turn on each night at 6pm. This is when the festival’s light installations and projections spring to life across the Vivid Sydney Light Walk from Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. This year the entire Vivid Light Walk is free for everyone to enjoy and lights go off at 11pm.
The Vivid Sydney Light Walk
The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is an unbroken 6.5‑kilometre journey featuring over 43 installations and projections created by acclaimed local and international artists. In a festival first, there are installations and public art work that can be enjoyed during the day.
For its 16th year, Vivid Sydney will transform Cockle Bay with a nightly laser show, Laser Lightfall, set to music, sending choreographed beams of light sweeping across the harbour sky. Running continuously throughout the evening, the presentation features four shows each hour, marking it the most ambitious free laser show ever staged in Australia.
Cockle Bay will also see the return of Vivid Sydney’s much‑loved drone experience, debuting under its new name, Star‑Bound: Vivid Sydney Drone Show. Making its first appearance since 2024, the refreshed show will light up the sky with 22 performances across 11 nights.
Be sure to wear some comfortable shoes and make sure you pack your camera – or make space on your phone to capture some stunning shots. Read our photography tips from Australia’s leading landscape photographer Daniel Tran so you can take some pictures that really stand out.
Top tip: take your time to explore the Light Walk over multiple nights!
Vivid Sydney is so much more than a light festival
Let music move you
The Vivid Music program offers a diverse range of exclusive concerts and free gigs. There’s something to get everyone moving.
Tumbalong Nights returns with 23 nights of free live music and DJs, including a special closing night performance from Matt Corby. The program also features performances from Nigerian afrobeat royalty Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, KPop singer SHAUN, Jamaican reggae legends The Congos, Chinese rap sensations Billionhappy + SEBii with Korean producer Kimj, plus shows from Mallrat, Skeleten, Coterie, and Moonlight Opera, a special concert presented by Opera Australia's Young Artists Program.
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House and Vivid Sydney at Carriageworks are a great place to start if you’re looking for global and local music icons. With multiple venues, there is always someone incredible to see, plus you when taking in a Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House show you can also enjoy the stunning projections on the Sydney Opera House sails.
City Recital Hall will host British poet, writer and musician Kae Tempest for two intimate nights, Palestinian-French heartthrob Saint Levant and electronic music producer Daniel Avery will perform live, alongside a special late-night party presented by Soft Centre. The Metro Theatre will host UK RnB singer Clara La San while at Oxford Art Factory, UK soul / hip-hop artist RUBII and indie darlings Chanel Beads perform headline shows.
Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Tumbalong Park invites you to experience 23 nights of free music.
Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Tumbalong Park invites you to experience 23 nights of free music.
Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Crowds at Tumbalong Nights at Darling Harbour, Vivid Sydney.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Crowds at Tumbalong Nights at Darling Harbour, Vivid Sydney.
Leave with a fresh perspective
Vivid Sydney’s Minds program is a forum for inspiration and invites audiences to engage with leading storytellers and cultural thinkers. This year’s program features Academy Award–winning filmmakers Sean Baker (Anora, The Florida Project) and Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Hamnet), alongside influential music industry tastemaker and broadcaster Zane Lowe, Pulitzer Prize–winning art critic Jerry Saltz and bestselling author Roxane Gay. Together, their conversations will unpack creative practice, cultural shifts and the forces shaping today’s artistic landscape.
Wonderverse by Patch Theatre is an indoor immersive light and sound experience created specifically for children and their families runs for the entirety of the festival, including daytime sessions.
Midweek Minds is a weekly series of rapid-fire keynote talks and discussions that showcase contemporary creative practice, featuring architect Dong-Ping Wong, designer and researcher Mindy Seu, The New Yorker creative director Nicholas Blechman, and filmmakers Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs.
Hungry for more
Vivid Food returns with a feast of flavour, creativity and connection, uniting world‑leading chefs and producers to celebrate the extraordinary breadth of NSW dining and the stories behind every dish.
At its new home in Barangaroo Reserve, Vivid Fire Kitchen brings global and local chefs together for open‑fire cooking, demonstrations, tastings and conversations, creating a free nightly hub of bold flavours and shared stories. In 2026, the program features leading Australian chefs including Mark Best, Luke Mangan, Sharon Salloum and Annita Potter, and for the first time expands to showcase celebrated food innovators and culinary personalities such as Julie Goodwin, Adriano Zumbo, Declan Cleary and Karima Hazim, with more to be announced.
Across the city, visitors can discover pop‑up dining experiences at Parliament House, The Mint and other unexpected venues, alongside custom menus and special events at Aster Bar, The International, Shell House, Infinity and more of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurants.
Getting here and home again
Our advice is: leave the car at home. There is limited parking and several road closures in the CBD, so opt for public transport instead. You can take the newly opened Metro, a train or bus to Wynyard, Town Hall, or Martin Place to be close to the action, or catch a ferry into Circular Quay. It’s a great way to see the lights from the water!
There are also accessibility facilities and services available to Vivid Sydney visitors who need them, such as accessible drop-off and pick-up points, and bookable accessible mini-buses.
Vivid Sydney is for the whole family
Vivid Sydney is for everyone – including the little ones! If you’re visiting with children, we recommend getting here early to beat the crowds, and consider visiting earlier in the week as the Light Walk can get very busy on the weekends.
There are also free ID wristbands available at Vivid Sydney Information Booths, which are helpful should your child get lost. You can also download a printable map of Vivid Sydney to keep to hand so you can find your closest information point or plan a meetings point should your group get split up.
Stay up to date
Make sure you’re the first to know about events, tickets and all things Vivid Sydney by signing up to the Vivid Sydney Newsletter.
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Wanda Beach, CronullaCredit: Destination NSW
Surfers heading into the water at Wanda Beach, Cronulla.
In Cronulla, a 50-minute drive south of the city centre, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away on a coastal retreat. This beachside suburb is renowned for its waterfront eateries and its relaxed vibe. With four kilometres of coastline and four beaches one after the other – Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla and South Cronulla – this is the perfect place for a beachside holiday.
Eat & Drink
Brass Monkey Cronulla: An intimate venue with eclectic live music acts and a unique supper-club vibe, where you can enjoy dinner and a show in a hidden gem tucked away from the hustle of the streets. The venue has also played host to a range of incredible local and international artists such as Vince Jones,Missy Higgins, Little Birdy, and more.
Sealevel: With sweeping ocean views of Cronulla, Sealevel Restaurant offers high-quality dining, dishing up a modern Australian menu with French and Italian influences. They have a strong focus on seafood & pride themselves on sourcing the finest & freshest produce, always keeping the menu centred on what is currently in season.
Bobby’s: A must-visit coastal gem at The Esplanade in Cronulla, offering Mediterranean-inspired, seafood-driven cuisine right beside the beach.
Next Door: A fun and fresh eatery, blurring the lines between cafe, restaurant, and bar. With a stunning location overlooking North Cronulla Beach, it makes for the perfect stop, whether you're after a simple coffee with friends, or a decadent long lunch.
Fred’s Providore: The premier delicatessen, kitchen and butcher in Cronulla, where artisanal craftsmanship intertwines with culinary passion. Fred's has fast become a foodies heaven, offering a selection of hand picked small-batch condiments, chef made meals and fresh baked focaccia for their made to order deli sandwiches.
The Pines: A relaxed beachside restaurant experience. The Pines takes its inspiration from The Hamptons, celebrating the beauty of the local coastline. They offer two distinct dining areas, the Dining Room, where you can immerse yourself in the charming, open air ambience of The Pines. Or if you prefer alfresco, check out the Terrace where you will be surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Cronulla's rolling dunes and ocean views.
Alphabet Street: A modern Asian restaurant and bar, located in the heart of Cronulla. Their bold menu is perfect for sharing, boasting classics such as Hiramasa Kingfish sashimi, bao buns, tom yum and more.
The Pines Cronulla Credit: Rachel Kara
The Pines restaurant in Cronulla, south of Sydney.
The Pines Cronulla Credit: Rachel Kara
The Pines restaurant in Cronulla, south of Sydney.
The Esplanade, Cronulla Credit: Destination NSW
People enjoying the alfresco dining along The Esplanade near South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla.
The Esplanade, Cronulla Credit: Destination NSW
People enjoying the alfresco dining along The Esplanade near South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla.
Stay
Quest Cronulla: Recently refurbished in 2024, Quest Cronulla Beach provides spacious, self‑contained apartments directly opposite North Cronulla Beach. Guests have access to resort‑style facilities including a 25‑metre outdoor pool, heated spa, sauna and fully equipped gym, along with high‑speed Wi‑Fi and onsite parking. Its prime location puts cafés, coastal walks and the foreshore just steps awa
Rydges Cronulla: Rydges Cronulla Beachside offers a relaxed coastal retreat with modern rooms, fresh decor and private balconies overlooking the ocean. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, bar and beachside access, all within Cronulla’s lively dining and shopping district, make it an easy base for an exceptional beach retreat.
Play
Cronulla Surfing Academy: Have a memorable experience learning the thrill of riding a wave. The academy delivers surf lessons for all ages and abilities, led by experienced coaches who understand the local breaks and conditions. Sessions range from kids’ programs and adult groups to private coaching all with equipment provided.
Sydney Premium Charters: A reliable and safe fishing tour company in Cronulla that operates three boats every day, both in the morning and afternoon. The company welcomes individual bookings on weekends and group bookings throughout the year.
Cronulla and National Park Ferry Cruises: Cronulla & National Park Ferry Cruises run scenic three‑hour trips along the stunning Hacking River, featuring guided commentary on Aboriginal culture, early explorers and local wildlife.
Hazelhurst Arts Centre: Just a 12‑minute drive from Cronulla, Hazelhurst Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural precinct offering major exhibitions, artist talks, workshops and a community gallery showcasing local talent. Its landscaped gardens, theatrette, ceramics and print studios, and terrace café create a welcoming space for art‑lovers of all ages.
Cronulla Whale Watching: From mid‑May to late October, Cronulla Whale Watching takes guests close to migrating whales and dolphins aboard a purpose‑built vessel with open decks and undercover seating. Tours depart from Cronulla Wharf and include the option of a Bundeena drop‑off after the cruise. With whales often passing remarkably near the shoreline, it’s one of Sydney’s most intimate whale‑watching experiences
Endota Spa Gymea: Endota Spa Gymea offers a tranquil retreat with eight treatment rooms, including four designed for couples or groups. Guests can choose from relaxation, remedial and pregnancy massage, advanced facials, body wraps and beauty therapies delivered by qualified therapists.
Rydges Cronulla Beachside, Cronulla Credit: Rydges Cronulla Beachside
Looking out over North Cronulla, Elouera and Wanda beaches from Rydges Cronulla Beachside in Cronulla.
Rydges Cronulla Beachside, Cronulla Credit: Rydges Cronulla Beachside
Looking out over North Cronulla, Elouera and Wanda beaches from Rydges Cronulla Beachside in Cronulla.
South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla Credit: Destination NSW
Couple running into the surf at South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla.
South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla Credit: Destination NSW
Couple running into the surf at South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla.