Vivid Sydney – the largest multi-arts event in the Southern Hemisphere – has today revealed its exciting 2024 program. From 24 May to 15 June, the festival promises 23 nights of unforgettable experiences, exploring the theme of ‘Humanity’ through Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
The biggest event in Australia, Vivid Sydney, will transform Sydney. It will feature 3D projections on Circular Quay and The Goods Line. Music performances will span genres. Creative showcases will be held.
Vivid Sydney 2024 will deliver an immersive, holistic and diverse festival, spotlighting what makes us uniquely human — love, kindness, compassion and creativity – across the interactive experiences and events that make up the 23-day program.
John Graham, Ministers for Jobs and Tourism and for the Arts and Music and the Nighttime Economy, said, “We’re preparing for the 14th annual Vivid Sydney.” Sydneysiders, as well as visitors, have grown to love this annual event. It’s not just a light show, it’s a celebration of light, music, ideas and food – a program full of rich cultural experiences that resonate with locals and visitors alike.
Vivid Sydney combines important elements of Sydney’s cultural heritage – Light Music Ideas and Food. It celebrates all that is great and unique about Sydney, our city and our state. It creates an experience that is uniquely Sydney. This is why it has been so popular for so many years.
This year’s Festival will offer a variety of events that are free and cost-effective to give people many opportunities to celebrate and come together. Last Year, the Festival achieved the highest attendance and visitor expenditure on record, with over 3.48 million attendees, generating more that $206 million visitor expenditure.
“We look forward in welcoming Sydneysiders as well as visitors from around the globe to come and experience Sydney’s creative best at Vivid Sydney.”
Gill Minervini is the director of Vivid Sydney, a festival that celebrates creativity in our interconnected society.
Ms Minervini stated that:
“Humanity is the core of all we do and this year, Vivid Sydney will dive deep into what makes each of us unique.”
We have created a diverse program to explore the human spirit. We hope it will foster connections, inspire imagination, and highlight the many ways that creativity enriches our daily lives. This global event is open to everyone. It will take place in the most beautiful city on earth. We invite you to be a part of it.
Vivid Sydney Festival is held across Sydney. Venues and locations include Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House.
Vivid Sydney will engage audiences through four pillars: Vivid Light, Vivid Food, Vivid Ideas, and Vivid Music. Vivid Light is a dazzling display of large-scale projections and immersive experiences. Interactive artworks will also be featured. Witness a 40km stretch of rainbow lasers emanating from the Sydney Tower, a universal symbol of hope by US artist Yvette Mattern. Immerse yourself in the captivating display of the 2023 Archibald Prize winner, Julia Gutman, adorning the Sydney Opera House sails for Lighting of the Sails: Echo (2024). Reg Mombassa, Guan Wei, Leila Jeffreys and many more join the line-up, transforming the city into a dynamic open-air art gallery.
Vivid Music is a curated series of live performances, concerts, and DJ sets that will take place in a variety of venues. Tumbalong Nights returns with a free program, featuring established and emerging artists including Budjerah, grentperez and Mallrat, while the newly opened Machine Hall Precinct pulsates with headliners like Deerhoof, Jen Cloher and No Fixed Address.
Vivid Ideas, a cornerstone of the festival, sparks curiosity with new ways to experience ideas – theatre, installations and engaging discussions are just the beginning. Engage in After The Fact, nightly discussions on current affairs, or peek into someone else’s window at Window Dressing and discover a universal human trait.
Participate in unique experiences like A THOUSAND WAYS: An Encounter, which fosters connections with strangers; experience the immersive dance and art installation of Shifting Perspectives; or join influential Australians at the Golden Age of Humanity film screenings and discussions at Golden Age Cinema.
Vivid Food celebrates Sydney’s diverse culinary landscape. Vivid Food returns with delicious offerings at The Goods Line, its new location. A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez showcases women in Australian gastronomy, while Plates with Purpose offers a taste of Ukraine at Kyiv Social. VividPlace’s Food Trail features over 20 of Australia’s top chefs and restaurateurs. Or, enjoy a bespoke cocktail and bar snack experience at Aurorae Bar at Bennelong.
