Sydney's Vivid Heart

Images: Shutterstock

**Covid has put a spanner in the works for 2021 but... hold that thought and this inspo below... Vivid will be back brighter than ever in 2022.**

SYDNEY: From September 17 to 9 October, the Harbour City will light up with a kaleidoscope of art and large-scale 3D projections, eclectic music, thought-provoking talks, and the sails of the Sydney Opera House lighting up like an Aboriginal painting for Vivid Sydney.

The winter celebration of creativity, innovation and technology is one of the brightest notes on Sydney’s event calendar and will return in September with big, bright, bold ideas that will work their magic across Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and Luna Park.

More than 200 events will celebrate Sydney's diversity, resilience, Aboriginal culture and vibrant creative community. If this doesn’t revive our spirits, nothing will!

Get set to paint the town every shade of red, blue, green and more as you follow the Light Walk through the five precincts, watching spellbound as the theme of Resilience comes to life in spectacular art and light installations. There’ll be a lot of powerful emotions at play as local and international artists explore themes of isolation, escapism and the need for greater human connection.

You'll likely reflect on your own bonds as you wander back from the Sensitive installation at Circular Quay to your room at A by Adina Sydney, discovering more emotion-charged installations along the way. The hotel’s premium studio, executive, one- and two-bedroom apartments boast magnificent city views. Cap off your day with a playful cocktail at Dean & Nancy on 22 amongst the city lights. It's a dazzling light show that runs every night, 365 days of the year.

For an unbeatable harbourside experience, check into one of the spacious serviced apartments at Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour, footsteps from Barangaroo and its colourful, walk-through, interactive ChronoHarp installation. The hotel is also close to the departure point for Captain Cook Cruises, whose luxurious floating Mumm Harbour Bar will provide a terrific view of the light installations. 

Darling Harbour will have a 100-metre floating Light Walk incorporating the large-scale artwork, Ephemeral, produced by Sydney’s Atelier Sisu. Resembling a giant bubble bath, more than 200 glowing spheres will hover above the walkway. At Beautiful Life in Darling Harbour, become part of a super-sized people-powered kaleidoscope for a poignant view of humankind.

Vivid Ideas New Horizons offers more opportunity for reflection, with discussions on men & mental health, sects & cults, and other subjects. Craig Silvey, author of Honeybee, will grace the stage – his only Sydney appearance – in a discussion on gender fluidity with playwright Glace Chase.

Embracing the quirks and kinks of humanity, Vivid Ideas starts conversations that continue long after the festival has ended. Debate and share ideas at more than 60 workshops, seminars, talks and film screenings in Vivid Ideas Exchange at the University of Technology Sydney.

Vivid Music flips the script with new beats and eclectic sounds at more than 70 shows in new and unexpected venues. Make memories with the kids at Luna Park, where there are nine new rides including the Big Dipper, specially lit for Vivid.

Vivid Live will see the Sydney Opera House celebrating musicians at the cutting edge of their genres, with seven Australian exclusives and three world premieres. The Opera House sails will light up with a Martu painting. Honouring our First Nations, this reminder of Sydney’s ancient heart will add a special resonance to an emotion-charged 2021 Vivid.

It's a light at the end of the tunnel (quite literally) a crazy 12 months. 


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

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