19 May 2025
Everything you need to know about Circular Quay & The Rocks at Vivid Sydney 2025, plus new content
Welcome to the glowing harbour circle of Vivid Sydney. Here, Circular Quay and The Rocks come alive with Light, Music, Ideas and Food experiences. Along the harbourside stretch of Circular Quay, iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia light up with breathtaking projections and installations.
Venture into The Rocks to discover a historic precinct transformed—with heritage buildings like ASN Clock Tower and Cadmans Cottage and spaces like the Argyle Cut reimagined with immersive and interactive light works. Stroll the Light Walk from the waterfront and witness Sydney’s most iconic backdrop become a spectacular canvas.
Download never-before-seen imagery and broadcast vision of Circular Quay and The Rocks at Vivid Sydney 2025 here. New assets include installations and projections of:
- House of Romance: Dreams Collide -Dive into the dazzling world of fashion label Romance Was Born as Customs House is reimagined in couture, colour and creativity to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary. Expect a collision of style and playfulness as iconic looks from their most celebrated collections and collaborations with leading Australian designers like Ken Done, Del Kathryn Barton, Jenny Kee, Pip & Pop, Rebecca Baumann, Kate Rohde, Paul Yore and Jonathan Zawada come to life.
- King Dingo - Vincent Namatjira’s King Dingo is a powerful journey through colonial history, projected on the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. The work fuses satire, striking imagery and an original score by Jeremy Whiskey to create a powerful assertion of First Nations strength, unity and cultural reclamation.
- Bloom - where the natural world blossoms in a riot of colour and sound
- Stem - Speak, sing or whisper into a flower microphone and watch as your voice blooms into a living, animated dream-tree across the historic façade of Cadmans Cottage. Intuitive, stunning and interactive, this work reminds us that we can make our dreams come true.
- Error - A massive, swirling and illuminated disc appears to hover, its surface pulsing with random bursts of light. This trance-like display mirrors the chaos of both the universe and technology, where glitches—like dreams—are unpredictable and chaotic but also hold the potential for creativity, change and new discoveries.
- Sweet Dreams - The Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons become candy-coated fantasy towers in this playful projection of gumballs, popcorn and pastel treats. An irresistible reminder to savour the sweetness of life and imagination.
VIVID SYDNEY 2025 FACTSHEET: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CIRCULAR QUAY & THE ROCKS
GETTING THERE
- Walk: 14 mins from Martin Place, 19 mins from Barangaroo via Argyle St
- Train: Circular Quay Station (weekdays) or Wynyard Station
- Bus: Elizabeth St and Bridge St
- Ferry: Ferries run regularly to and from Circular Quay
FAST FACTS
- Number of Vivid Light installations and projections: 13
- Number of Vivid Music venues: 3
- Number of Vivid Ideas venues: 2
- Number of Vivid Food venues: 5
FULL LIST OF VIVID LIGHT
- Artist: Mandylights
- Location: Circular Quay and The Rocks
- Sydney Harbour’s skyline unites in a spectacular, synchronised display of light, tracing glowing connections across iconic landmarks, city towers and the sparkling waters of Circular Quay.
Lighting of the Sails: Kiss of Light by David McDiarmid
- Artist: David McDiarmid, Dr Sally Gray, VANDAL
- Location: Sydney Opera House
- Bold, unapologetic and radiant—David McDiarmid’s art transforms the sails of the Sydney Opera House in a technicolour celebration of joy and creative rebellion. This work is a rallying cry for equality, inclusion and freedom.
- Artist: Vincent Namatjira
- Animator: The Electric Canvas
- Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
- Vincent Namatjira’s King Dingo is a powerful journey through colonial history, projected on the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. The work fuses satire, striking imagery and an original score by Jeremy Whiskey to create a powerful assertion of First Nations strength, unity and cultural reclamation.
House of Romance: Dreams Collide
- Artist: Romance Was Born
- Animator: Super Giant
- Location: Customs House
- Dive into the dazzling world of fashion label Romance Was Born as Customs House is reimagined in couture, colour and creativity to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary. Expect a collision of style and playfulness as iconic looks from their most celebrated collections and collaborations with leading Australian designers like Ken Done, Del Kathryn Barton, Jenny Kee, Pip & Pop, Rebecca Baumann, Kate Rohde, Paul Yore and Jonathan Zawada come to life.
- Artist: Mr.Beam Studio
- Location: ASN Clock Tower, The Rocks
- Anyone and everyone was invited to become the artist in this participatory projection on ASN Clock Tower. Based on an open call for submissions (now closed), each week of the festival 150 unique artworks will be showcased. The final projection will include community contributions along with works from our 2025 Charity Partner, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
- Artist: Spinifex Group
- Location: Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons become candy-coated fantasy towers in this playful projection of gumballs, popcorn and pastel treats. An irresistible reminder to savour the sweetness of life and imagination.
- Artist: Mr.Beam Studio
- Location: Cadmans Cottage, Circular Quay
- Speak, sing or whisper into a flower microphone and watch as your voice blooms into a living, animated dream-tree across the historic façade of Cadmans Cottage. Intuitive, stunning and interactive, this work reminds us that we can make our dreams come true.
- Artist: Vendel & Wolf
- Collaborators: Light Art Collection
- Location: Hickson Road Reserve, Circular Quay
- A massive, swirling and illuminated disc appears to hover, its surface pulsing with random bursts of light. This trance-like display mirrors the chaos of both the universe and technology, where glitches—like dreams—are unpredictable and chaotic but also hold the potential for creativity, change and new discoveries.
- Artist: Eggpicnic
- Collaborators: Ann Jones (Australia) / Corey Hague (Australia)
- Location: Argyle Cut, Argyle St, The Rocks
- Step into a luminous, blooming wonderland as Eggpicnic’s vibrant native flora and fauna brings the Argyle Cut tunnel to life. Use your phone to scan a special AR code and help shape the work around you—much like our collective power to shape the planet’s future.
- Artist: Le Pilote Production
- Location: Alfred Street
- Two back-to-back mirror-encrusted discs—one representing the Sun, the other Night—capture the duality of human experience. These mesmerising, reflective surfaces shimmer and shift from day to night in an ever-changing display of light and motion.
- Artist: This is Loop
- Collaborators: NYX Electronic Drone Choir
- Location: First Fleet Park, The Rocks
- A large-scale audio-visual sculpture crafted from mirrored, tunnel-like trapezoid shaped bricks stacked to form a structure. Interwoven with over 10,000 LED lights, the pavilion is an immersive, interactive space.
- Artist: Alison Page, Charlie Chan
- Location: Museum of Sydney
- Tap into the energy and vibrancy of the ancient First Nation stories hidden in plain sight around you. The Museum of Sydney forecourt is transformed into a light and sound experience for Symphony of the Dreaming, an immersion into the ancient songlines of NSW.
- Location: Circular Quay and The Rocks
- Sydney’s ferries and boats light up the water in a mesmerising, synchronised display—an enchanting, floating extension of the dazzling Vivid Light Walk.
VIVID MUSIC
Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Location: Mary’s Underground
- Date: Thursdays from 8.30 – 11pm
- Friday from 9pm – 1am
- Cost: Tickets from $54.90
- Vivid Sydney Supper Club is your late-night, cabaret escape at Mary’s Underground—a speakeasy-style haven for music, mischief and midnight snacks every Thursday and Friday of the festival. This year each night of the line-up is curated by a rotating roster of curators and hosts with the most, including Angela Bishop, Luke Carrol, Amber Lawrence, Mark Humphries, Tom Cardy, Alex Lee, CJ Johnson, Chloé Zuel and Ryan Gonzalez.
Tamworth to Tennessee | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Golden guitars and Nashville dreams. Amber Lawrence leads a rollicking ride through country’s biggest ballads and boot-scootin’ hits.
Broadway’s Best with Mark Humphries | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Jazz hands at the ready! A cheeky, showstopping tribute to Broadway’s biggest numbers with musical theatre tragic, comedian Mark Humphries.
Open Mic! with Tom Cardy & Alex Lee | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Spoken word, interpretive dance, original song—anything goes at this hilarious and heartfelt open mic night hosted by two local comedy legends, Tom Cardy and Alex Lee.
Aus Music Countdown | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- From Kylie to Cold Chisel, Luke Carroll hosts this live mixtape of Australia’s greatest hits. Loud, proud and full of nostalgia, singalongs are whole-heartedly encouraged.
A Night at the Oscars | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Golden hits from Hollywood’s finest films. Angela Bishop hosts a glitzy night of Oscar-winning songs and behind-the-scenes stories.
The Pink Pony Supper Club | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Bring the glitter, glitz and the glam. Ryan Gonzalez hosts a fabulous celebration of queer anthems and joy—think Cher, Chappell, Gaga and all the camp revelry.
Celebrating Eurovision | Vivid Sydney Supper Club
- Camp chaos and cult classics collide in this outrageous Eurovision tribute hosted by Chloé Zuel and CJ Johnson. Costumes, flags and glitter encouraged.
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House
- Location: Sydney Opera House
- Date: Every night
- This celebratory whole-of-House Vivid Sydney takeover features curated global acts, emerging voices and Australian exclusives including Anohni and the Johnsons, Beth Gibbons, Sigur Ros with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Japanese Breakfast, Pat Metheny, The Sabres of Paradise and more.
First Light: Live
- Location: Campbells Cove
- Date: Friday, 23 May
- Cost: Free
- First Nations music takes centre stage following First Light in this free concert at Campbells Cove, directly following the First Light opening ceremony. Featuring RONA, Kaiit, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and more.
VIVID IDEAS
First Light
- Location: Campbells Cove
- Cost: Free
- A moving opening ceremony honouring First Nations cultures with dance, song and story. Set at Campbells Cove, it invites all to connect with Country and the Dreaming as we launch Vivid Sydney 2025. Curated by Vivid Sydney's First Nations Advisor Rhoda Roberts AO.
Luna Park in the Dark
- Location: Luna Park Sydney
- Cost: Tickets from $60
- Lights off, adventure on for this all-ages experience! Celebrate Luna Park’s 90th Anniversary with moonlit rollercoasters, roaming performers and nighttime thrills, exclusive to Vivid Sydney.
Stranger Things: The Experience
- Location: Luna Park Sydney
- Cost: Tickets from $60
- Step into Hawkins and the Upside Down in this immersive Stranger Things experience, direct from sold-out runs in Europe and the US. With live actors, games, cocktails and nostalgia—it’s Luna Park like you’ve never seen before.
VIVID FOOD
FoodLab Sydney
- Location: Tayim Restaurant, 14 Nurses Walk, The Rocks
- Cost: Tickets from $90
- FoodLab Sydney’s Vivid Sydney series is a run of three unique dining events that spotlight the flavours, stories and dreams of emerging chefs from migrant and refugee backgrounds. With curation and mentorship from industry leaders like Kylie Kwong, Junda Khoo, Christopher The and Tama Carey, each night presents a seven-course menu. Full program below.
- Blanca Meija Perera and her mother serve a seven-course celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine and tradition. A powerful evening of storytelling, hospitality and multigenerational culinary heritage.
FoodLab Sydney – Sangee’s Kitchen
- Malar Sathasivam shares rich Malaysian-Tamil dishes rooted in tradition and love. Each bite of this seven-course feast honours memory, resilience and the joy of shared meals.
FoodLab Sydney – Graduates Showcase
- Seven chefs, seven stories, one unforgettable night. FoodLab graduates present personal, powerful dishes from around the globe—each a tribute to their traditions and culinary dreams.
Dream Mist at Botanic House
- Location: Botanic House, 1 Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney
- Cost: Tickets from $269
- Dine in the dreamy after-dark setting of Sydney’s Botanic House as Luke Nguyen serves a three-course Vietnamese menu infused with personal history—plus a take-home botanical perfume.
Saltbush & Starlight Dining
- Location: Sydney Opera House
- Cost: Tickets from $290
- Explore a hidden Sydney Opera House space and enjoy a First Nations-inspired menu from Midden by Mark Olive. The evening will also feature a special tour, NSW wines and immersive light projections.
Dance of Dreams with Danielle Alvarez
- Location: Sydney Opera House
- Cost: Tickets from $329
- Chef Danielle Alvarez crafts a dreamlike fine-dining experience with live dance, music and storytelling. Paired with visionary NSW wines, this multisensory feast celebrates the artistry of food and performance.
Luke’s Vivid Table at the Pylon Lookout
- Location: BridgeClimb Pylon Lookout & Museum, Sydney Harbour Bridge, South-East Pylon
- Cost: Tickets from $395
- Experience a spectacular evening inside the South-East Pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This exclusive dining event, a collaboration between Vivid Sydney, BridgeClimb and leading chef Luke Mangan, features a seasonal three-course menu crafted with the finest NSW ingredients. The meal is complemented by premium wines and offers diners breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, illuminated by Vivid Sydney.
Dreamscapes at Aster
- Location: Aster Bar, InterContinental Sydney
- Cost: Tickets from $169
- Ascend to the heights of Aster, InterContinental Sydney’s premium rooftop bar, for dream-inspired cocktails and multi-course tasting journeys. Choose between Sweet, Spicy or Adventurous menus—all with stunning views of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk below.
Additional assets: Full content packages including VNR with interviews from Vivid Sydney spokespeople will be available via https://www.vividsydney.com/news-room
ABOUT VIVID SYDNEY
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, ideas and food inspire global audiences and drive cultural exchange. The 2025 theme, ‘Dream’, sparks imagination and engagement, attracting visitors and fueling economic growth. Proudly owned by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney showcases NSW's cultural vibrancy and positions it as a global leader in artistic innovation.