Sydney has exploded into a kaleidoscope of colour and technicolour brilliance tonight as the lights were turned on for Vivid Sydney 2022. Making a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus, Australia’s largest event will bring together light artists, music makers and brilliant creatives over 23 days and nights, from 27 May to 18 June in celebration of Sydney’s soul – our diversity, beauty, resilience, First Nations culture, and vibrant creative community.  

For the first time in Vivid Sydney’s 12-year history, the ‘Lights On’ moment has been preceded with First Light, a powerful acknowledgement and celebration of our First Nations culture, with a spectacular and memorable Welcome to Country ceremony and performance by more than 50 NAISDA dancers, choreographed by Deon Hastie under creative advisor Rhoda Roberts AO. 

From firelight to spotlights, the ‘Lights On’ moment wowed with the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails featuring the incredible new digital artwork, Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground 2021. Created by eight Martu artists from the East Pilbara and creative technologists Curiious, with a soundtrack by Electric Fields featuring the vocals of the Martu artists. The intricate painting depicts the Parnngurr community and surrounding landscape and represents an intimate connection with Country. The Lighting of the Sails is complemented with Sharing the Same Life Essence by Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam, projected onto all four of the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons during First Light. 

This year, the Festival is bigger and brighter than ever before, with 11 CBD locations across Sydney, including Circular Quay, Sydney CBD, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Central Station, The Good Line, Luna Park and Taronga Zoo transformed with illuminating installations and unforgettable performances. This year is the first time that Central Station and the Goods Line has been activated, extending the Light Walk for a continuous 8km. 

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney was much more than just a captivating light, music and ideas festival.  

“Vivid Sydney draws millions of visitors to the city in May and June and is such an important driver for the NSW tourism economy,” Mr Ayres said.  

“It’s been a long wait since the lights went out on Vivid Sydney 2019 and this year’s program is bigger, brighter and bolder, with over 200 events for visitors to enjoy. The largest festival in the Southern Hemisphere brings Sydney to life, and I encourage Sydneysiders and visitors from all around the country and the world to visit our dynamic city when it’s at its creative best.” 

Festival Director, Gill Minervini said: “It has been such a privilege and honour to put together a program of this scale that is two years in the making. This year’s program features a completely refreshed and revitalised program celebrating Sydney’s soul, elevating our artists and creatives onto a world stage that will inspire and captivate audiences. Over the next 23 days and nights, visitors will be spoiled for choice, with the longest ever continuous Light Walk at 8km, hundreds of music events at intriguing locations across the city and thought-provoking talks from the world’s most brilliant minds. Sydney shines during Vivid Sydney and I cannot wait for everyone to experience it.” 

Vivid Sydney is the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest event in Australia. Here are some of the program highlights for this year’s event. 

VIVID LIGHT 

As the sun goes down the lights go up, with ‘Lights On’ at 6pm each night (and 5:30pm at Taronga Zoo), with illuminations, installations and interactivity at every turn. In an immersive world-first technology, Vivid Sydney has partnered with Cinewav, enabling visitors to listen to the soundtracks to select projection artworks wherever they are on the Light Walk.

Highlights not to miss include:

• Two years in the making, the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails features the incredible new digital artwork Yarrkulpa - Hunting Ground a First Nations-led collaboration between eight Martumili Artists from the East Pilbara and Sydney’s creative technologists, Curiious, with an original soundtrack by Electric Fields.  

• All four of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons will be lit for the first time, featuring the Sydney Harbour Bridge 90th Birthday projection work by Spinifex Group. Historical archival footage spanning 100 years will share stories of connection.  

• For the first time in Vivid Sydney history, both sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will sparkle with hundreds of colour-changing lights as part of Our Connected City. Twenty-one buildings in Sydney’s CBD will also illuminate with 200 dramatic searchlights beaming from the northern end of the Bridge, through The Rocks, around Circular Quay and onto the Sydney Opera House forecourt. 

• Joining Vivid Sydney for the first time, Australian artist Ken Done has transformed Customs House at Circular Quay with For Sydney With Love. A love letter to Sydney, Ken’s signature art is animated for the first time in a clash of optimism, colour and delight in collaboration with Spinifex Group.  

• Sure to be a crowd pleaser, Australia’s leading abstractionist Helen Eager has transformed the six-storey façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney with New York Sunday, an eight-minute visual journey that will electrify the senses. The visual dynamics are accentuated by an electronic composition by Sydney’s own, Paul Mac. 

• Darling Harbour is now host to Australia’s largest liquid and light show with Sydney Infinity, created especially for Vivid Sydney. The tightly choreographed show uses technology never before seen in Australia for an eye-popping, grand spectacular that will appeal to kids and adults alike set to a fun Sydney inspired soundtrack by DJ Peewee Ferris. 

• Barangaroo is hosting Nura, a collection of 150 colour-changing light pillars designed by Indigenous artist Warwick Keen in collaboration with creative producers Mandylights. Drawing inspiration from traditional tree carvings, the illuminated works create a walkable outdoor gallery.   

• Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo has returned better than ever, with over 70 breathtaking animal lanterns from 14 unique species including three never-seen-before purpose-built and accessible installations.  

• Endless Love takes centre stage above the Cahill Expressway in a celebration of the gravitational pull of Sydney Harbour. A nod to the golden age of neon and a perfect Vivid Sydney selfie moment, Endless Love stretches 26 metres along the expressway with huge 3D lettering. 

• Convergence by Mandylights,will take-over a disused railway tunnel at the Goods Line with the largest laser installation in Vivid Sydney history. Over 100 custom-made lasers will dominate the space, shining a light on one of Sydney’s forgotten landmarks. 

• The most immersive installation ever seen at Vivid Sydney, Vivid House, will transport festival-goers on an 3D sensory journey of visual and sonic experiences. Featuring three works – A Floating world, Progressum and Temple of Joy, this is one not to be missed.  

VIVID IDEAS 

Vivid Sydney’s Ideas program gathers our brightest minds and most fearless storytellers to connect us from now to the future. From mavericks to misfits, innovators at the pinnacle of their careers across technology, art and culture will inspire and educate.

Highlights from this year’s program include:  

• Renowned filmmaker and creative maestro Baz Luhrmann will make two special appearances at Vivid Sydney to discuss the Business of Baz with acclaimed journalist Marc Fennell, as well as attending the Sydney premiere of his new film, Elvis.

• Global powerhouse Gretchen Carlson speaks truth to power with Lisa Wilkinson in an intimate conversation about how to advocate for yourself, the power of fighting against formidable forces and changing the laws that once tried to silence her. 

• Cultural tastemaker and multi hyphenate singer/songwriter/tastemaker Troye Sivan will team up with Flex Mami to explore beauty, art and fluidity and the benefits of pushing creative boundaries. 

• Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin joins iconic TV journalist Leigh Sales to explore how fiction can shine a spotlight on real-world contemporary issues.  

• For the first time ever, food has been incorporated into the program with the inaugural Vivid Sydney Dinner, bringing a feast to the senses through a curated menu by Mike Eggert (Totti’s) and Dan Hong (Mr Wong’s). Ken Done and Julia Baird will deliver their “love letters to Sydney” with live music from DJ Kate Monroe, Ngaiire and James Morrison.  

• Embrace the final frontier as Lynette Wallworth explores end of life rituals in Dying Well and the innovation and research that is making the transition easier.  

• At Wellmania, Brigid Delaney and Ben Law talk about Sydney’s obsession with the wellness industry at the Australian Museum, while in The Great Hall at UTS, Jamila Rizvi, Malini Raj and Bri Lee talk about The Future of Work, promising flexibility, freedom and fun.  

• This year’s Vivid Ideas Exchange will see over 60 events hosted at The Great Hall at The University of Technology Sydney – with talks, seminars, film screenings and special events designed to spark debate amongst the creative community.  Sessions will be presented by Audible with Marc Fennell, Melissa Doyle, and Adam Liaw and Squarespace.   

VIVID MUSIC 

Whatever your musical taste, the Vivid Music program will cater to it, with an unparalleled line-up of musical talent celebrating the best in local and international artists and platforming up-and-coming talent.

Highlights not to miss include: 

• A performer who needs no introduction, the legendary Marcia Hines draws back to her childhood roots and unveils the world premiere of her new gospel experience, The Gospel According to Marcia at St Stephen’s Uniting Church. 

• Performing in Sydney for the first time ever, the incomparable indie crooner Baxter Dury brings disco swagger to The Metro Theatre for Vivid Sydney celebrating a phenomenal two-decade long career. 

• Perfume Genius brings his queer sensibilities and overall likeability for a performance including a spectacular live band at Carriageworks. Expect a fusion and cacophony of rock tunes that explores sexuality, violence and poetry. 

• Strolling into Sydney with their latest opus in tow, British space-rock group act Spiritualized will perform at the Big Top in Luna Park, marking their first Sydney show in over a decade. 

• Celebrate the future at Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House with Sampa the Great, with a riveting and electric performance that celebrates the experience of the Black Diaspora and the culture of tomorrow. 

• Sydney queer favourites Club Kooky are back bigger and better than ever, with another massive open-air party set to shake Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House under the skies on the Northern Broadwalk.  

• No stranger to Sydney, Cakes Da Killa makes a welcome return to the stage for Vivid Sydney at Oxford Art Factory off the back of his 2021 album Killa Essentials. 

• Zimbabwe-born, Australian-raised Tkay Maizda makes her long-awaited Sydney Opera House debut with a stunning one-night performance that will leave Sydney gasping for more. 

• Mary’s Underground will be transformed into an intimate cabaret club for the Vivid Sydney Supper Club from 10pm until late on Friday and Saturday nights during the festival with performances from Mahalia Barnes, Bob Downe, Emma Pask, Paul Capsis and more. 

• Tumbalong Nights is now hosting a curated contemporary music program featuring some Australia’s most exciting artists alongside Sydney’s hottest emerging acts including Mo’ju, Ngaiire, Milan Ring, b and more. 

• Spanning early trailblazers and club icons to future tastemakers and warehouse agitators, DJs at The Goods Line will deliver an electrifying soundtrack to the Vivid Sydney experience. 

For more information and to purchase tickets to Vivid Sydney events go to www.vividsydney.com  

Follow Vivid Sydney on social media for the latest Vivid Sydney updates and last-minute advice on getting around the city: 

• facebook.com/vividsydney  
• twitter.com/vividsydney   
• instagram.com/vividsydney  
• youtube.com/vividsydney  

Get social at Vivid Sydney using @vividsydney #vividsydney.  

VIVID SYDNEY SPONSORS 
Vivid Sydney thanks its valued partners for their support of Vivid Sydney 2022.

American Express returns as major partner for a fourth year presenting the American Express Light Lounge at Cruise Bar, available to their card members.  

Major partners include Bombay Sapphire presenting the House of Bombay immersive bar experience at Darling Quarter, ‘pop-ups’ at Vivid Ideas events at the Powerhouse Museum and Tumbalong stage and are Supporter of House of Vivid Light installation. 

Kia Australia delivering the optical illusion, Kia-morphia, at Circular Quay and Kia-aura the new electric vehicle at Darling Harbour.  

Vivid Ideas major partner Squarespace presents two Ideas sessions launching their ‘Make it Awards’ initiative in Australia.  

Supporting Partners include City of Sydney, Commonwealth Bank, Crown Sydney, Dell, Paramount+ and Transgrid. 

Collaborators include Cinewav, Event Engineering, Mandylights, Technical Direction Company, Kennards Hire, Nova Entertainment and University of Technology, Sydney. 

The Local Business Program Partner is Red Balloon Group. Official charity partner is The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF). 

NOTE TO EDITORS: 
Go to the Vivid Sydney News Room to download the full 2022 Vivid Sydney Lights On content package including a VNR with grabs from Minister Stuart Ayres, Gill Minervini and Vivid Light artists, as well as high-res imagery and broadcast-quality b-roll video footage: www.vividsydney.com/news-room 

MEDIA CONTACT 
Greg Vekiarellis  Ogilvy PR 
P: 0401 873 217 
E: greg.vekiarellis@ogilvy.com.au

About Vivid Sydney   
Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, which transforms Sydney for 23 days and nights. Staged for its 12th year in 2022, Vivid Sydney fuses mesmerising art displays and 3D light projections with exhilarating live music performances and deep-dive discussions from some of the world’s brightest minds, as well as the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.