Vivid Sydney has revealed its full program of Light, Music, Food and Ideas for 2025. This year, will run from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June, with the theme of "dream" running through the artworks, parties, feasts, pop-ups and more.
"Dreaming is as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams can be prophetic, life changing and inspirational, as well as trivial, hilarious or terrifying. These interactions are evident in every aspect of Vivid Sydney’s program this year," says Vivid Sydney festival director Gill Minervini.
Now in its 15th year, Vivid's program keeps the magic coming across key locations including Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Barangaroo, The Goods Line, and , with Martin Place returning after a break since 2018.
In 2025 you can expect the usual breathtaking projections (with eight new landmarks and buildings being illuminated), dinners curated by Nigella Lawson, concerts from headliners like Sigur Rós with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Japanese Breakfast and Anohni, a Stranger Things experience taking over Luna Park, thought-provoking panels, and the return of the Vivid Fire Kitchen.
Feeling the cozzie livs pinch? Over 75% of the entire program, and 100% of Vivid Light is free this year; tickets for paid events are on sale now.
Here are the highlights of 's 2025 program.
Vivid Light
The dazzling light projections are the most recognisable element of Vivid Sydney, and 2025's Vivid Light program packs plenty of wonder, with locations around the heart of Sydney illuminated with neons, installations, art projections, swing sets and more.
As always, will launch the festival with a celebration of First Nations culture against the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sharing vibrant song, dance, and Language.
The Sydney Opera House sails will be splashed with an artwork called by the late Aussie artist David McDiarmid bringing colourful ‘90s motifs, while Vincent Namatjira will take over the Museum of Contemporary Art with on the other side of Circular Quay.
Looking for the Vivid drone show? Unfortunately, due to concerns around crowd control after the huge numbers it pulled last year, it won’t be returning this year. Instead, check out by Sydney fashion label Romance was Born on Customs House, the rippling and movement-responsive rods of , and the magical photo opp with a swing to the night sky.
Kids will love the gamified light orbs with interactive footpads at Darling Harbour, , which debuted at Burning Man in 2019, and the 4-metre-long taking over The Goods Line with over 700 stars.
See the and plan your visits.
Vivid Music
It wouldn't be Vivid Sydney without a banging soundtrack, and in 2025 we're welcoming some big names and local favourites to Sydney stages for live performances, concerts and DJ sets.
The Vivid LIVE program presented at Sydney Opera House this year features , First Nations musicians and , Icelandic post-rock trio , Aotearoa's and trending LA-based singer-songwriter . Parties curated by , , and dance music collective will bring dancefloor euphoria to the Studio.
At , the Vivid Music lineup features powerful American jazz musician , shoegaze faves , and Egyptian-Australian artist , while a series of late-night supper clubs with themes like the , , and will run at Mary's Underground.
As well as ticketed events, Tumbalong Nights will again host free performances from artists including Winston Surfshirt, Vietnamese pop artists , Heartbreak High star and Prince collaborator MonoNeon, plus a community with various choirs and performers.
Check out the full program and get tickets.
Vivid Food
After a hugely popular first two years with the Vivid Fire Kitchen and more, Vivid Food is back for a third year in 2025—and it’s bigger than ever.
In 2025, free foodie hub returns to The Goods Line to celebrate the world’s spice-driven cuisines with live demonstrations and fire-cooked eats from the world’s best pitmasters, chefs and barbecue legends. It’ll be accompanied by a takeover of Maryanne Street, which will be closed to traffic for the whole festival for , with fire pits and fire drums plus food from world-class chefs.
The queen herself, Nigella Lawson, will curate three exclusive dining experiences presented in Martin Place’s Muru Giligu Tunnel ($340pp), and top chefs including , and will present no-waste dinners at Refettorio OzHarvest ($110pp). Hollywood Quarter will host a running between its beloved venues, while Foster Street will close for a night for with exclusive dishes, small plates and festival specials plus live entertainment spilling out into the street.
Check out the full program.
Vivid Ideas
Vivid Sydney's Ideas segment rounds out the cultural festival's 2025 lineup, with a series of thought-provoking panels, talks, and in-depth discussions—and an immersive dropping visitors into 1986 with live actors and cutting-edge special effects. Spread over six rooms inside Luna Park's iconic Crystal Palace, there'll be big '80s vibes, a Scoops Ahoy pop-up bar and snack stand, a recreation of the Palace Arcade (where you can try to beat MADMAX's high score), a Surfer Boy pizza pop-up, and the chance to face off with Vecna.
In huge news for fans of cooking and home-styling goddess, best-selling author of 101 books, and all-around queen Martha Stewart, the woman herself will be appearing for Vivid Sydney 2025. She’ll reflect on her career, the evolution of her personal brand, and what it takes to stay relevant, and share candid insights on her time in the spotlight in an exclusive, one-off In Conversation event at the ICC Sydney on Wednesday 28 May. Tickets are on sale for $65, from 9am on Friday 4 April on
Major talks will feature , world-renowned neuroscientist and sleep expert , and comedian, television presenter, and design expert talking The Australian Dream.
Free events for Vivid Ideas include featuring First Nations writers, poets and songwriters on Wednesday nights, extended reality/virtual reality exhibition , and multimedia solo performance , plus at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Check out the full program.
For more of the best of what's on in Sydney, head over here.
Main image credit: Vivid Sydney | Supplied