Vivid Sydney has unveiled a captivating program for 2024. 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.
Vivid Sydney 2024 highlights include;
- 40km-long laser beams to be projected from the city’s tallest structure, Sydney Tower
- 2023 Archibald Prize winner to transform Sydney Opera House for Lighting of the Sails
- Vivid Fire Kitchen returns in a brand-new space
- Budjerah, Mos Def and Air to headline Vivid Music
- An exploration into sex work in Australia’s notorious red-light district
Australia’s largest event will transform Sydney with mesmerising light installations and 3D projections from Circular Quay to The Goods Line; genre-spanning music performances and creative showcases; a formidable Vivid Ideas program featuring experiences that will open minds; and a mouth-watering Vivid Food program.
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.
“We’re getting set for the 14th Vivid Sydney. It’s an important event every year that Sydneysiders and visitors alike have come to love. 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,” said John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Nighttime Economy.
“Vivid Sydney brings together important parts of Sydney’s culture – Light, Music, Ideas and Food. It celebrates what’s great and unique about our city, and our state and creates a uniquely Sydney experience. That’s why it’s been so popular over so many years”.
“This year’s festival will have a variety of free and cost-effective events on offer to provide many opportunities for people to come together and celebrate”.
“Last year, the festival achieved the biggest attendance on record and the largest visitor expenditure in its history, with more than 3.48 million attendees generating more than $206 million in visitor expenditure”.
“We look forward to welcoming Sydneysiders and the world as they come and experience first-hand Sydney at its creative best at Vivid Sydney 2024”.
Vivid Sydney festival director Gill Minervini said this year’s festival looks at how creativity fuels our interconnected world. “Humanity is at the core of everything we do, and this year, Vivid Sydney is diving deep into what makes us uniquely human,” Minervini said.
“We have curated a diverse program that explores the human spirit, designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Everyone is invited to be part of this global event in the world’s most beautiful city to connect, create and celebrate”.
Staged across Sydney, the Vivid Sydney festival locations and venues include Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, the State Library of New South Wales, Walsh Bay, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, the University of Technology Sydney, The Goods Line, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Carriageworks, and more.
Vivid Sydney 2024 will engage audiences across four pillars: Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food. Vivid Light will dazzle with large-scale projections, immersive experiences and interactive artworks.
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 ignites the city with a curated program of live performances, concerts and DJ sets across diverse 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 the diverse culinary landscape of Sydney and NSW. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns with delectable offerings at its new location, The Goods Line. A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez showcases women in Australian gastronomy, while Plates with Purpose offers a taste of Ukraine at Kyiv Social. Explore over 20 top chefs and restaurateurs at the VividPlace Food Trail or indulge in a bespoke bar snack and cocktail experience at Aurorae at Bennelong Bar.
Tickets go on sale on March 11.
