Image: Shutterstock

NEW SOUTH WALES: With Sydney Harbour and the Opera House as its canvas, there couldn’t be a more beautiful backdrop for Vivid Sydney, the city’s annual extravaganza of lights, colour and ideas. The largest light festival in the Southern Hemisphere will illuminate Sydney from May 27 to June 18, and this year it promises to be bigger and brighter than ever.

For a start, it will have the longest continuous Light Walk in the history of the event, stretching 8km all the way from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station. Along with that, it boasts groundbreaking new light art, Ken Done’s ode to Sydney, and the largest laser installation in Vivid history lighting up an abandoned railway tunnel.

For 23 days and nights, artists, thinkers and musicians will bare their creative souls in mesmerising light projections, thought-provoking debates and exhilarating performances in and around the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Darling Quarter and Central Station.

Now in its 12th year, Vivid brings back old favourites like the lighting of the Opera House, but this year there’ll be new projections including an interactive one on the George Street side of Central Station. Wear your comfiest shoes for the Light Walk from Central to the Opera House, passing 47 installations and projections along the way.

Two hundred neon birds will guide you on your way. The inspiration for Chris Daniel’s installation, Future Natives, comes from Sydney’s great variety of birdlife, from colourful lorikeets to cackling kookaburras. Grab a table at Campbell’s Stores and enjoy the full spectacle.

Stop to marvel at the artwork of Ken Done, projected in joyful animation onto the façade of Customs House. Sydney has been his muse for 80 years and his work for Vivid 2022 is aptly titled ‘For Sydney With Love’. Playful scenes of Sydney Harbour will unfold across the façade, from sailing boats to pretty gardens, beach scenes and famous icons.

Vivid Sydney unveils the essence of the city’s soul by exploring its history through innovative works in unexpected spaces. New canvases this year include The Goods Line, a disused railway tunnel dating from 1855. Part of the first freight line to Darling Harbour, it will boast  a spectacular display, Convergence, the largest laser installation in Vivid Sydney’s history.

Towering over a corner of Hickson Road Reserve, a monumental eight-metre-tall multi-limbed idol will glow with fire and light. Titled Earth Deities, this work by Sri Lankan-born, Sydney artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran explores themes of power and worship.

With the Harbour taking centre stage during Vivid, one of the easiest ways to enjoy the spectacle is from the comfort of a ferry or cruise vessel. Set sail with Vivid Cruises or Sydney Showboats or indulge in a gourmet dining experience with Captain Cook Cruises. Its 6-course degustation paired with Penfolds gold selection of wines sounds like an incredibly indulgent way of viewing the lights.

Continue the indulgence by checking into the luxe apartment hotel, A by Adina Sydney, where the rooftop bar, Dean & Nancy, has breathtaking 360-degree views of the Sydney skyline.

Adina Apartment Hotel Darling Harbour has studio- and one-bedroom apartments that are ideal for couples, friends and families, while our centrally located Adina Town Hall is also perfectly located to catch all the Vivid action.

** Peace of mind when you stay with us: Introducing Clean Touch. Note some activities listed may be subject to Covid restrictions.**