Vivid Sydney: The world's best festival of light.

Billed as the world's largest outdoor 'art-gallery' Vivid Sydney never disappoints. Vivid is a festival of light which draws tourists from around the world. With famous landmarks like the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge bathed in ever changing light patterns, Vivid draws us into town year after year.  If you live too far away to make it to Vivid this year, plan a trip for next year because Vivid just gets better and better!

I got so many great photos of the Opera House it was hard to choose which ones to post.

The Harbour Bridge was a little bit disappointing this year but everything else was so fantastic it didn't matter.

Magicians of the Mist, at Darling Harbour

Circular Quay

Landscape of the Mind, at Campbell's Cove

Cradle, Customs House Square

Organic Vibrations at the Museum of Contemporary Art building, The Rocks

I couldn't resist putting this video in. It is the display on Cadman's Cottage at The Rocks.

Vivid Chatswood

Vivid doesn't just light up the city. There are displays at Chatswood, Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour and Kings Cross. For a full list of locations click - here. David and I live quite close to Chatswood so we headed down there this year to catch the local display. It was a lot of fun but I wouldn't bother travelling across town to see it. The main display area on The Concourse is visible from several restaurants which is handy.

Future City Smart City at The Concourse - Chatswood

Light Bounce, at Vivid Chatswood

Future City Smart City, at Vivid Chatswood

When and Where is Vivid Sydney: -

• Where - Sydney Australia.  Vivid is not confined to the CBD. In 2017 reaches as far afield as Chatswood, in Sydney's north.  For where to see Vivid go to Vivid Sydney: Precincts.

• When - 26 May to 17 June 2017.

• Cost - There are paid events, (none of which I have ever been to) but seeing the lights is absolutely free.

My tips: -

• The best place so see the Vivid lights on the Opera House is from the opposite side of Circular Quay, between Hickson Road Reserve and the Overseas Passenger Terminal. There are a couple of harbourside restaurants here with great views. 

• Do not miss the display on Cadman's Cottage at the Rocks facing the western side of Circular Quay. It is lots of fun, especially if you have children with you.

• The Magicians of the Mist show in Darling Harbour runs for about 10 minutes from the hour and half hour beginning at 6 pm. It is spectacular.

• There are boat tours which do Vivid Cruises and I am sure they are fantastic for seeing the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and all the buildings around Circular Quay, but don't just rely on a cruise because many of the best displays are not visible from the harbour. There is no substitute for arming yourself with a map and just walking around.

• If you want to see Vivid from the harbour but don't want to do a tour, catch an inner harbour ferry. The F4 and F5 ferries to Darling Harbour and Neutral Bay go past the Opera House. You can get off at Kirribilli or Milsons Point and walk or take a train back across the Harbour Bridge. Darling Harbour is also one of the Vivid Precincts. It is a short walk back to town and you can plan your route to take in the Vivid Sights at Barangaroo. 

• Wear a warm coat, and comfortable shoes. May/June in Sydney can be a bit chilly at night and you will do a fair bit of walking if you want to see everything.

• Vivid can get very crowded so avoid weekends if you can.

For Vivid photos from earlier years check out my post at:- Vivid Sydney: A festival of light you shouldn't miss!

For other Sydney posts click here.

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