Vivid Sydney 2015, the annual celebration of light, music, art and innovation takes place over 18 days starting May 22 and ending June 8. While a small number of special events require ticket purchase, most of this glorious festival is free! With so much going on, check out the following tips for getting the most celebration out of this year’s festival.
Image source: The Star
Absolute Musts
This year The Star, together with Vivid Creations, will transform Sydney with amazing light installations, projections, performances and captivating public speakers. Check out the multi-sensory play zone where you control the entertainment. Belt out karaoke from the rooftop or test your skills in an interactive game on an urban playground the likes of which have never been seen before.
Vivid Sydney is the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. To experience it from a different perspective, book a dinner cruise with Captain Cook. Afterward, disembark and immerse yourself in the numerous interactive Vivid Sydney displays, lights and fun.
You won’t want to miss Sydney’s flora and fauna projected onto the iconic facade of Customs House representing the seasons and moods of the city. The graphics integrate stunning natural imagery with manmade structures in a captivating display designed to awaken imagination.
Image Source: Business Insider
Everyone has to see the dresses. They appear as apparitions, suspended in darkness as if telling a fantastical tale of ghostly wanderings. Fun fact, the optical fibres in each dress change colours, representing its history. For this step into slight, though fantastical fright, head to Kendall Lane in The Rocks, after dark of course.
Image Source: The AU Review
Dining with a View
With a large number of restaurants providing front seat views over the vivid harbour, we’ve selected 3 favourites that combine amazing dishes with incredible sights.
Quay, The Rocks – Yes, there are glittering views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House but the real excitement happens inside. You’ll be personally guided through a dining experience with authentic Australian ingredients cooked with passion.
The Gantry Restaurant & Bar – This is one of the most sought after waterfront dining restaurants in Sydney for a fine meal, a pleasant drink and immersive views.
The Glenmore, The Rocks – This rooftop bar is spectacular at that magic hour when the sun is just about out of sight. Watch the twinkling transformation of the city as the sky darkens and the city lights come alive.
Image Source: Vivid Sydney
Need a Hotel?
Even Sydney-siders frequently book rooms for this event. Advanced booking is highly recommended especially for waterside hotels.
Harbour Rocks Hotel – This home away from home is great for the business or leisure traveller and makes a perfect base from which to enjoy Vivid Sydney.
The Darling – Known as Sydney’s most lovingly detailed luxury hotel, your room at The Darling will be a tranquil oasis among hopping nightlife scenes. Go from one to the other as you please.
Whatever you decide to experience during Vivid Sydney, make sure you’re here to celebrate when the lights come on.
Freya is a coffeeholic freelance blogger, social media specialist, graphic designer and award-winning photographer. When she’s not intriguing strangers with her stories, she’s most likely lifting something heavy in the gym, at the beach or out and about Sydney in search of the perfect coffee. Instagram @freyat and Tweet her @freyacami
Are you going to Vivid? I go every year and can’t wait!
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