Firetalk Credit: Destination NSW
Curated by Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money and presented in partnership with Sydney Writers’ Festival
Experience Australia’s First Nations cultures with must-see experiences across Vivid Sydney’s Light, Music, Ideas and Food pillars. From the First Light’s Calling Country ceremony to stunning light installations that transform Sydney’s landmarks with First Nations storytelling; and across the city, stages come alive with the sounds of First Nations musicians, while dining experiences showcase Native ingredients crafted by renowned First Nations chefs, Vivid Sydney 2025 celebrates the world’s oldest living culture to foster lasting connections to Country.
Hear First Nations stories
Be moved by the ancient stories, Songlines and traditions of the Gadigal people and neighbouring nations at First Light, the evocative Calling Country ceremony and performance at Campbells Cove in The Rocks that opens the 2025 edition of Vivid Sydney.
Curated by Vivid Sydney’s First Nations advisor Rhoda Roberts AO and framed by the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the ceremony features moving performances by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancers from Central Coast-based NAISDA Dance College. Working in affiliation with custodians from Northeast Arnhem Land, alongside our Torres Strait Islander and PNG neighbours, as they sing up the Morning Star.
In a powerful fusion of technology and movement at Barangaroo Reserve, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s An Act of Being marks the 25th anniversary of the People’s Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Blending contemporary dance with physical theatre and using cutting-edge holographics to project historic documents onto moving bodies, the work explores how government policies have impacted First Nations communities over the years.
At Barangaroo Reserve, Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money hosts the Firetalk series of free fireside storytelling sessions with First Nations writers, poets and songwriters. Immerse in these intimate, powerful experiences – created in partnership with Sydney Writers’ Festival – each Wednesday evening in a setting heightened by the eye-catching presence of the nearby eight-metre tall Bon{d}fire LED installation.
An Act of Being Credit: Destination NSW
Created by the acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia
An Act of Being Credit: Destination NSW
Created by the acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia
Immerse in new and old stories through Vivid Light
As darkness falls each evening, four extraordinary Vivid Light installations transform public spaces into scenes of First Nations storytelling that will challenge and inspire.
Subverting the narrative of Australia’s colonial occupation of the past and presenting the country’s native dog as a symbol of First Nations power, Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira’s striking King Dingo lights up the facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in The Rocks. Let Namatjira’s expressive images move you as a score created in collaboration with Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara musician, composer Jeremy Whiskey stirs the spirit.
A short walk away, the Museum of Sydney forecourt becomes a portal to the past with Symphony of the Dreaming. Created by Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page together with creative technologist and composer Charlie Chan, the installation invites you to journey along the ancient Songlines of NSW as you engage with a space filled with illuminated poles, light and sound.
Gaze up at the rooftop of the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour as it comes alive with the eye-catching graphics of Tunku and Ngaadi. Learn of the eternal connection between the Moon and Earth in this Dreaming story from the NSW South Coast, illustrated by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison and voiced by the Djinama Yilaga Choir.
King Dingo Credit: Destination NSW
This bold and irreverent projection by acclaimed First Nations artist Vincent Namatjira, will premiere on the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
King Dingo Credit: Destination NSW
This bold and irreverent projection by acclaimed First Nations artist Vincent Namatjira, will premiere on the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Sway to First Nations rhythms at Vivid Music shows
After the thrilling opening ceremony of First Light, First Nations artists from Australia and overseas take over the Campbells Cove stage for the free concert First Light: Live.
Kicking off the Vivid Music program, First Night: Live features Kaytetye producer and DJ RONA and her club culture-meets-desert Country dance music; Jeremy Whiskey’s virtuoso hard rock; the neo soul of Papua New Guinea-born, Naarm-based Kaiit; Wiradjuri/Gadigal singer-songwriter Akala Newman’s electro-pop; and the high-energy hip hop of Canada’s Snotty Nose Rez Kids from the Haisla Nation of Kitimat BC .
Across the water from Campbells Cove, ARIA award-winning First Nations hip hop supergroup 3% fires up the Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Room on 28 May with a celebration of First Nations joy and resilience.
The Tumbalong Nights free concert series in Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park brings more First Nations talent to Vivid. For Adrian Eagle + Jada Weazel on 29 May, ARIA award-winning roots singer Adrian Eagle and rising R&B and soul star Jada Weazel light up the amphitheatre to complement the park’s Light Walk installations. And for Body Type + Ripple Effect Band on 5 June, the all-female members of Arnhem Land’s Ripple Effect Band perform their unique ‘saltwater rock’ in the Ndjébbana, Burarra, Na-kara and Kune languages alongside Sydney indie band Body Type.
On 7 June, Metro Theatre in the city centre pulses with My Sis: Celebrating 10 years of Bad Apples Music, showcasing an all-female First Nations line-up including Western Sydney’s Barkaa and Aotearoa New Zealand neo-soul queen Ladi6, curated by Yorta Yorta rapper, author and actor Adam Briggs’s ground-breaking record label.
Tunku and Ngaadi Credit: Destination NSW
Illustrated by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison and brought to life through the voices of the Djinama Yilaga Choir.
Tunku and Ngaadi Credit: Destination NSW
Illustrated by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison and brought to life through the voices of the Djinama Yilaga Choir.
My Sis: Celebrating 10 years of Bad Apples Music Credit: Destination NSW
Founded by rapper Briggs, Bad Apples Music has spent a decade shaping Australia’s hip-hop scene while championing First Nations voices and stories.
My Sis: Celebrating 10 years of Bad Apples Music Credit: Destination NSW
Founded by rapper Briggs, Bad Apples Music has spent a decade shaping Australia’s hip-hop scene while championing First Nations voices and stories.
Feast on First Nations flavours at Vivid Food events
As the lights dance across Sydney, embark on a delicious journey of discovery through First Nations cuisine.
Make your way to a hidden room in the Sydney Opera House and take your seat under a mesmerising light projection to savour a three-course menu infused with Australian bush flavours during the Saltbush & Starlight Dining experience. Showcasing the passion of Mark Olive – Bundjalung chef and the driving force behind Sydney Opera House’s Midden restaurant – for First Nations flavours, the dinners will be held on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the festival.
Elevate your Vivid experience with Dreaming Skies: A Culinary Journey with Dwayne Bannon Harrison on 29 May and 30 May at the revolving restaurant Infinity at Sydney Tower in the city centre. Watch the cityscape slowly shift beneath you from your 81st-floor table as Dwayne Bannon Harrison – founder of the South Coast’s Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness – presents an immersive experience featuring native ingredients-inspired dishes, storytelling and performances by leading Aboriginal performing arts group Muggera Dance Company.
On 3 June, Bannon Harrison teams up with Parliament of NSW executive chef Vanessa Harcourt to present Native Food Experience at Parliament House. A degustation that will delight as it weaves together First Nations cooking traditions and contemporary culinary techniques, using fresh produce harvested from Parliament’s own Native Food Garden.
The zero-waste philosophy of the OzHarvest charity meets the passion of Australian native ingredients pioneer and Gamilaroi woman, Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo in Aunty Beryl | Our Shared Dream: A world with no waste in Surry Hills on 11 June. Secure your spot as Aunty Beryl creates a memorable four-course vegetarian dinner infusing rescued produce with native flavours at Refettorio OzHarvest, a collaboration between OzHarvest and Italian chef Massimo Bottura and his charity Food for Soul.
Saltbush & Starlight Dining Credit: Destination NSW
Showcasing the passion of Mark Olive – Bundjalung chef and the driving force behind Sydney Opera House’s Midden restaurant
Saltbush & Starlight Dining Credit: Destination NSW
Showcasing the passion of Mark Olive – Bundjalung chef and the driving force behind Sydney Opera House’s Midden restaurant
More Inspirational Stories
Henry Deane, Hotel Palisade, Millers PointCredit: Destination NSW
Bartender creating a cocktail at Henry Deane, Hotel Palisade, Millers Point.
Play hide and seek in secret bars
From whisky-soaked speakeasies to exuberant jazz dens hiding in plain sight, Sydney’s secret waterholes reward those who know where to look – and are bold enough to push the door. Start in the YCK Laneways precinct – stretching between Wynyard and Town Hall in the city centre – where more than 20 small bars and eateries are packed into a colourful labyrinth of historic alleys.
On the edge of the city, following the Inner West Ale Trail through Newtown, Marrickville and Camperdown leads to 17 of Sydney’s best breweries, each with their own take on tippling, from the industrial charm of Wayward to the warehouse chic of Batch, and the rock’n’roll vibe of Young Henrys. While you’re in the neighbourhood, swing by Jacoby’s Tiki Bar for tropical drinks and glowing décor, and LazyBones Lounge for live jazz, an eclectic cocktail list and velvet-draped interiors that make every winter night cosy.
Closer to the harbour, the hidden bars are just as theatrical. In The Rocks, The Doss House pours 150-plus whiskies in a 170-year-old sandstone building that once housed an opium den. In the city’s heart, Apollonia is tucked beneath Hinchcliff House – a moody, candlelit bar with Italian cocktails and cured meats, while around the corner, Double Deuce Lounge channels 1970s swagger with red leather booths, a furry wall and a funky playlist.
Across the water in Manly, The Cumberland hides behind a fridge door and leads to an intimate, Spanish-style bar with more than 250 whiskies and an inviting interior lined with stone, brass and leather. In a city known for its bold views and bright lights, these tucked-away spots invite you into Sydney’s invigorating winter energy – one artfully muddled sip at a time.
The Cumberland, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Couple watching a bartender preparing cocktails at The Cumberland, Manly.
The Cumberland, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Couple watching a bartender preparing cocktails at The Cumberland, Manly.
The Doss House, The Rocks Credit: Destination NSW
Bartender creating a cocktail at The Doss House bar in The Rocks.
The Doss House, The Rocks Credit: Destination NSW
Bartender creating a cocktail at The Doss House bar in The Rocks.
Drink in the world-class views
Refresh your winter perspective at one of Sydney’s rooftop bars, where you can become part of the skyline while the city’s lights unfurl below like an open invitation. On the harbour’s edge, you’ll find a host of hotspots where the views are elevated in every sense. Aster Bar is located on the 32nd floor of the InterContinental Sydney and offers 270-degree views of the Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Opera House – best enjoyed with a bespoke martini in its glamorously appointed lounge. Over on Millers Point, Henry Deane crowns the Hotel Palisade with creative cocktails, plush lounges, sun-drenched balconies and uninterrupted views in every direction. And at Smoke, atop Barangaroo House, the imaginative drinks list matches the glittering winter backdrop, with signatures like the Chilly Evenings (milk-washed Wild Turkey, St Germain, cloves and lemon) and the Skyline Spritz (Bombay Sapphire, raspberry, mango and bubbles).
Nearby, The Library Bar enhances the intrigue of its secretive location with Hunter Valley wines, local gin and views stretching over the Domain and Sydney Harbour, while The Rook remains one of the city centre’s most sought-after eyries, celebrated for its standout cocktails, gin events and neon skyline panoramas.
On the inner-city fringe, Lottie brings mezcal and modern Mexican to the rooftop of The EVE Hotel in Redfern, with an alfresco setting built for all seasons and urban views that feel close enough to touch. In Potts Point, The Butler presents sprawling city vistas from its charming terrace, alongside a zesty Ibero-American menu and thoughtful cocktails in a space layered with history and character. Further west, Nick and Nora's rises above Parramatta with a touch of Gatsby opulence – chandeliers, drinks trolleys and jaw-dropping views stretching all the way to the Blue Mountains.
The Library Bar, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying drinks at the Library Bar, located on the rooftop of the State Library of NSW.
The Library Bar, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying drinks at the Library Bar, located on the rooftop of the State Library of NSW.
Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drinks at Aster Bar at the InterContinental Sydney during Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drinks at Aster Bar at the InterContinental Sydney during Vivid Sydney
Cosy up in a buzzing a pub
Whether you’re up for a round of community trivia, banter-filled brews with the crew or a quieter one chatting around the neighbourhood’s favourite fireplace, wherever you land in Sydney, the refreshments and memories are both on tap in its cosy pubs. In the heart of the city, The Duke of Clarence channels the feel of an 18th Century London tavern, complete with antique accents, dark wood, leather banquettes, cask ales, creative cocktails, and an award-winning menu of British fare. Across the harbour at Manly’s Hotel Steyne, locals get together in beachside courtyards, sports bars and rooftop terraces to catch live DJs, watch the game, and flex their ping pong skills.
Flanking the city centre, buzzing neighbourhood bars invite you into heritage buildings that feel like the community’s rumpus room. With its roaring fireplace, sunny dining room and relaxed upstairs lounges, Glebe Hotel has been wetting local whistles since 1862. Likewise, Waterloo’s Cauliflower Hotel has been the heart of its community since 1838, now serving craft beer and trivia alongside an 18-screen sports bar.
Moving east, the heritage pubs go back even further. The Paddo Inn has served good drinks and tasty pub classics since 1814, its huge windows still offering a front-row seat to the fashion, colour and creativity of Oxford Street. Nearby, the Lord Dudley leans into its old-world charm, with a red-brick façade, timber bar, crackling fireplaces and famous pot pies – a traditional English-style pub tucked into the backstreets of eclectic, electric Paddington.
The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a drink at The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington.
The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a drink at The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington.
Where to cheers and cheer on your team
Sydney’s jam-packed calendar of sporting events spreads the winter cheer far and wide – and watching a showdown from one of its legendary sports bars feels like plugging into the city’s heartbeat. Strangers become teammates, and mates turn into friendly rivals, when the action heats up.
With more than 50 LCD TVs, three mega-screens, stadium-style sound and a lively atmosphere, The Star casino’s 24/7 Sports Bar is a prime spot for everything from international MMA bouts to footy clashes and motorsport showdowns. In the city centre, Cheers Sports Bar is a 24-hour hub for local and international fixtures across football, basketball, surfing, soccer, golf, hockey, tennis, cricket and more – with three levels making it a go-to for any game, any time. Just a short walk away, York 75 delivers a classic sports bar vibe with private booths seating up to eight, each with its own TV for a personalised viewing experience.
Further afield and overlooking the beach, Coogee Bay Hotel’s Sports Bar adds a coastal twist to the big-game buzz, with 15 screens – including two mega-screens – and an elevated pub-grub menu to keep you cheering, while tap beers, local spirits and a solid wine list help soothe a voice well-used. And in the Inner City, Surry Hills’ Clock Hotel and Newtown’s Marlborough Hotel both offer multiple screens and effervescent, character-filled spaces that draw in like-minded fans and regulars alike.
The Clock Hotel, Surry Hills Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
The Clock Hotel on Crown Street Surry Hills
The Clock Hotel, Surry Hills Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
The Clock Hotel on Crown Street Surry Hills
Marlborough Hotel, Newtown Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Marlborough Hotel on King Street in Newtown
Marlborough Hotel, Newtown Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Marlborough Hotel on King Street in Newtown