Vivid Sydney 2025: Free events return, Nigella hosts & new light spots

New and improved, Vivid Sydney is back.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Vivid Sydney 2025 is stepping things up with five new connecting zones stretching across Sydney Harbour and the CBD. From the iconic Light Walk – thankfully back to being completely free again – to immersive experiences that will spark your imagination, there’s no shortage of reasons to get out and explore.

Nigella Lawson will curate three exclusive Vivid Sydney Dinners. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

The headline act? The queen of comfort food herself, Nigella Lawson, will curate three exclusive Vivid Sydney Dinners at Muru Giligu in Martin Place. Nigella fans, mark your calendars – this is your chance to experience culinary magic from the beloved TV star herself.

“Visitors cram themselves into Sydney in summer, but for me the magical time is in winter, during Vivid Sydney,” Nigella said. “I’ll be curating an exclusive menu for the three Vivid Sydney Dinners, and it is simply a dream come true.”

Returning from 23 May to 14 June 2025, Vivid Sydney promises more dazzling displays, epic music performances, thought-provoking ideas, and mouth-watering food events than ever before, all under the dreamy theme of “What’s in a Dream?”

Vivid is (mostly) free again!

The 15th Vivid Sydney looks to be the best year yet. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

If you’ve been to Vivid for the last couple of years, you’ll know that the festival introduced ticketed events, much to the dismay of many visitors. Well, this year, over 75 per cent of the festival’s extensive program (and the entire Vivid Light Walk) is totally free, ensuring it’s accessible for everyone, no matter your budget!

What’s new at Vivid for 2025?

Over 75 per cent of the festival’s program is totally free. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

New this year are five distinct festival zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks; Barangaroo; Martin Place and CBD (for the first time since 2018); Darling Harbour; and The Goods Line and Inner City, all combining Light, Music, Ideas and Food, making exploring easier (and tastier).

Expect illuminations of eight iconic Sydney landmarks for the first time. Joining the illumination of the Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) and Customs House will be the Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo, Challis House in Martin Place, the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and the CTA Building in Martin Place.

Welcome to 1986 Hawkins

Transport yourself into an episode of Stranger Things. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

Adding a splash of pop-culture nostalgia, Netflix’s global sensation Stranger Things lands at Luna Park with the immersive and interactive ‘Stranger Things: The Experience,’ guaranteed to thrill fans of all ages.

Light it up

Vincent Namatjira will present King Dingo on the facade of the MCA. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

Late Australian artist David McDiarmid’s vibrant projections will illuminate the sails of the Sydney Opera House in Kiss of Light (2025), while Vincent Namatjira will present King Dingo on the facade of the MCA and Sydney fashion label, Romance Was Born will debut House of Romance on Customs House.

On the Light Walk, there will be interactive experiences like voice-activated projections, giant whimsical swings and seesaws, and tennis matches made entirely from lights.

Music to my ears

Tumbalong Nights returns with a focus on music in diaspora communities and First Nations artists singing in their own languages. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

Music lovers can catch stellar performances from local favourites Winston Surfshirt and Ayesha Madon at Tumbalong Nights, and international acts like German electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream and indie sensation Japanese Breakfast at the Opera House.

Ideas worth dreaming about

TIME’s Creative Director D.W. Pine – the man behind over 1000 covers – takes you inside his creative process. (Image: Vivid Sydney)

Thought-provoking talks include TIME Magazine’s creative mastermind D.W. Pine and renowned sleep expert Professor Matthew Walker, who’ll unravel the mysteries of dreams and ideas in engaging discussions.

Sydney’s winter never looked this good – or tasted this delicious.