Sydney’s annual light festival Vivid pushed ahead on Friday night despite torrential rain flooding the tracks across the train network, leading authorities to urge festivalgoers to reconsider their travel plans into the city.
But, despite the transport problems large crowds turned out for the event, which spans multiple ‘Vivid Zones’ across Sydney, including: Circular Quay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and the Goods Line.
This year’s theme ‘Dreams’, featured immersive light events, live performances, interviews and food stalls which will run until June 14.
In 2023 Vivid attracted a record 3.28 million people to its displays and was estimated to have generated more than $206 million for the city’s economy. However, numbers fell last year to 2.42 million, despite 159 artists taking part and more than 60 per cent of the events being free.
Now in its 15th year 2025’s 23-day event will also not include a drone show, after it was ruled out for safety reasons following crowd safety issues at last year’s event.
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- David McDiarmid’s artwork projected onto the Sydney Opera House, ‘Lighting of the Sails: Kiss of Light’. Photo: Orlando Sagar
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- Onlookers pass the ‘Lumina Dream’ light installation at Barangaroo. Photo: Orlando Sagar.
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- The first music act kicks off at the Circular Quay Vivid Zone. Photo: Orlando Sagar.
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- A mum and her son pose while dad takes a picture in front of the ‘Bon{d}fire’ installation. Photo: Orlando Sagar
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- Entering the tunnel exhibit near Chinatown. Photo: Orlando Sagar
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- Festivalgoers seek warmth at a bonfire amid the day’s rain and cold. Photo: Orlando Sagar
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- The ‘Samsung Space to Dream’ installation at Darling Harbour. Photo: Orlando Sagar
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- Kids pose outside the stage at Darling Harbour. Photo: Orlando Sagar
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- Circular artwork outside the Goods Line entrance to UTS Building 6. Photo: Orlando Sagar
Main image of spectators engaging with the ‘Elysium Collection’ light event at Darling Harbour. Photo: Orlando Sagar.
