Vivid Sydney, the annual festivity of lights, music and ideas is shining bigger and brighter in 2022 after the three-year break during the pandemic. It’s once again time for neon lights, thrilling music shows, provoking workshops and late night entertainment to shed its magic on the Emerald City of Australia. The opening weekend was spectacular to say the least–over 600 drones took to the skies, fireworks erupted off the Harbour Bridge and the First Light made headlines with a touching opening ceremony. But the best is yet to come!
As we move onto the third week of the festival, here are some key attractions worth checking out.
Being one of the major hotspots during Vivid Sydney, Sydney Harbour will be swarming with people from all over the country and world. All the familiar buildings and landmarks will take on new forms with exceptional artworks dangling across their facades. One such crowd puller is the Lighting of the Sails of the Opera House. This year, creative artists bring life to the sails of the House through a stunning depiction of the Martumili collective painting, Yarralpa–Hunting Ground. Escape the crowds and get a good look at this mesmerising artwork on board a Vivid Cruise on Sydney Harbour and fill your socials with exclusive frames! And that’s not all! If you choose to cruise on the authentic paddlewheeler with wrap-around verandahs, you get to enjoy the added element of an hour-long cabaret show as well! Keep your eyes open for the best Vivid Cruise Deals and spend a stunning night on the harbour with food, views and entertainment!
Work of Art by Sinclair Park
Among the long list of skyscrapers and monumental buildings that get vivified as part of the festival, there exists one edifice of ‘multi-storied’ prominence! Legendary architect Frank Gehry’s first Australian marvel, the Business School of University of Sydney (UTS), becomes an impeccable canvas for a dazzling neon light show! Gehry’s buildings are renowned across the world for its out-of-the-box style and it is evident in the exquisite architecture of the Business School as well. This unique nature of the building is the perfect canvas for Sinclair Park, who illuminates it with colour-changing lights and wall grazers, which when manipulated carefully, becomes a wonderful juxtaposition of geometry and texture.
Vivid Live & Vivid Supper Club
If you're a night owl, do not fret about the fact that the lights go off after 11pm. There will be many late-night shenanigans across numerous venues that keep the festival spirits going. Mary’s Underground, one of the go-to venues for an intimate cabaret experience, will be hosting an exclusive set of programs on select nights till the end of the festival. Hosted by sensational Uber-diva Trevor Ashley, you can enjoy a curated selection of programs from jazz, cabaret, burlesque, comedy along with other headliners by Mahalia Barnes, Emma Pask and more! Elsewhere, on the banks of the harbour, the Opera House will be transformed inside out to celebrate over 70 Australian and international artists!
Vivid Ideas
The uplifting of the restrictions mean that we can expect an incredible lineup of international talents who will cutivate the minds of the festival-goers with eye-opening talks. Headliners this year will feature Troye Sivan, a wunderkind and fashion icon who has inspired millions of youth through his music, and Aaron Sorkin, a master conversationalist who will tackle current political challenges. Gretchen Carlson, who led the #MeToo movement will also be on the forefront addressing issues like workplace toxicity and more!
Vivid Sydney 2022 is underway and is showing no signs of slowing down! Venture out to the city CBD and explore its many laneways, streets, buildings and precincts to enjoy a perfect night out during the festival.
