This was published 1 year ago
Vivid Sydney 2022 guide: The best free events and how to get the most out of the festival
A preview of Vivid's water display, Sydney Infinity, took place on Thursday night.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
It's been two years since the last Vivid Sydney thanks to consecutive COVID-related cancellations. But patient Vivid fans are about to be rewarded with a bumper roster of free events.
But to make the most of this year's massive program, planning is key, says Vivid festival director Gill Minervini.
"Because Vivid is so huge, it can be a little overwhelming, but the more you plan, the more you see," says Minervini.
For Sydney With Love by artist Ken Done at Circular Quay.
Leading the program of free things is Vivid's most famous attraction, the sprawling Light Walk, spanning all corners of the CBD.
"The entire Light Walk is free. It's eight kilometres long, so you could easily get three nights of entertainment out of that," Minervini said.
And this year Light Walk is stepping things up with an additional music element.
The Goods Line laser display.
"For the first time, we've got free concerts on the Tumbalong Park stage called Tumbalong Nights, every Wednesday to Saturday," Minervini said.
Adding to the list, are DJ performances each night at The Goods Line at Haymarket, and a roster of live bands at Central Station's Grand Concourse.
"The Light Walk this year is more than just the Light Walk; there's a whole musical soundtrack completely free as part of that," says Minervini.
Vivid has also notably expanded its footprint to include two new art and light-filled precincts, bringing the total number of Light Walk locations to 11.
"The projections down at Central Station and The Goods Line – which are our new areas for this year – are incredible," Minervini said.
The Goods Line precinct, a revitalised former rail line, will light up with projections, installations and music events, including the largest-scale laser installation in the festival's history, Convergence.
In fact, Visitors can catch several large-scale Vivid-firsts, from Walsh Bay's floating bubble walk, Ephemeral Oceanic, to Darling Harbour's ambitious new water sculpture Sydney Infinity, featuring dynamic jets shooting colour-lit ribbons of water up to 80 metres into the air.
Beyond light displays, seats for Vivid's free Ideas talks are disappearing fast (festival-goers can pre-register online).
"Some free ticketed events have already booked out, so the best thing to do is go to the Vivid website and check out the program," she said.
For those happy to splurge, this year's Ideas program includes a star-studded line-up, with tickets between $40-$50.
"Journalist Gretchen Carlson is one of our global storytellers who was famously sacked by Roger Ailes at Fox News, and she's talking to Lisa Wilkison about the very beginnings of the Me Too movement. I think that will be a fascinating talk," said Minervini. The talk will be on the Town Hall on May 29 at 1pm.
Also tipped to sell out, are live discussions with singer-songwriter Troye Sivan, Hollywood filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, and even a special album showcase by music icon Marcia Hines (June 9-11).
"We're doing the world premiere of The Gospel According to Marcia at St Stephen's Uniting Church. We announced a third show for that just last week, so get in quick if you want to see that," Minervini said.
With such a massive program, Minervini is urging visitors to create a MyVivid profile, and break up their Vivid schedule over several days or weeks.
"You can actually create your own itinerary within the website. The itinerary will really help people work out what they can see in one night," she said.
As for how to tackle Vivid's main attraction, it pays to be strategic.
"For the Light Walk, my advice would be to come in the early part of the week, and really plan your trip, browse the website beforehand."
Vivid Sydney: Light, Music and Ideas runs from May 27-June 18. See vividsydney.com
DINE & DISCOVER AT VIVID
Still have vouchers to use up before June 30? These Vivid-adjacent venues should do the trick.
Dine: Hinchcliff House
Hinchcliff's star restaurants Grana and Lana are running an excellent-value "Wind Up" and "Wind Down" Vivid menu, featuring multiple courses (with wine) designed to eat over 45 minutes, from $40. See hinchcliffhouse.com
Discover: Taronga Zoo
Wild Lights is back with a dazzling array of iridescent projections and installations, and nighttime sky safaris from Sydney's only cable car. See taronga.org.au
Dine: Zini Contemporary Gelato
The Quay Quarter's cult zero-additive gelato store is putting out a new Vivid creation each night of the festival. See zinigelato.com.au
Discover: Sea Life Sydney
Have an after-dark marine encounter. Glow-in-the-dark face paint and activity sheets will also keep the kids amused. See visitsealife.com
Dine: O Bar and Dining
Watch the action unfold 47 levels above the ground – or go peak Vivid with a festival-themed glowing cocktail. See obardining.com.au
5 MUST-SEE VIVID EVENTS THAT DON'T COST A THING
Sydney Infinity (Light Walk)
Watch Darling Harbour come to life in Australia's largest liquid and light show, in a stunningly choreographed water cannon display ramping up to a powerful crescendo.
Wellmania: Australian Museum X Vivid Ideas
Listen in as journalists Bridig Delaney, Benjamin Law and Jenny Valentish explore how pseudo-scientific 'advice' goes viral.
For Sydney With Love (Light Walk)
Customs House will morph into an animated Sydney love story spanning 80 years by iconic artist Ken Done.
Gretchen Carlson and Lisa Wilkinson on Speaking Out
Trailblazer Gretchen Carlson opens up about her very public 2016 harassment claims against Fox News boss Roger Ailes, as told in the movie Bombshell.
Convergence (Light Walk)
Watch as a nearly forgotten Sydney landmark is brought to life in Vivid's largest laser installation to date, filling an old railway tunnel at The Goods Line.
See vividsydney.co
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.