Step into our world of extraordinary art, entertainment, dining and one-of-a-kind experiences as Vivid Sydney shines a light on the city from 23 May to 14 June 2025.

Be sure to explore the full program and start planning your adventure now with our insider guide of where to eat, stay and play during Vivid Sydney. 

Feed Your Soul 

Sydney’s dining and bar scene is as vibrant as the festival’s lights. Get inspired with these local favourites near (or inside) each Vivid Sydney location. 

Barangaroo 

For top-notch sustainable seafood, look no further than love.fish, located on the waterfront. Or for traditional Cantonese try Golden Century at The Crown. Here, enjoy signature classics including peking duck and salt and pepper squid. Barangaroo House offers three levels of great vibes, with ground-level House Bar offering chilled waterside bar vibes, Level 1’s Japanese-inspired restaurant and vinyl bar Rekodo spinning great tastes and tunes and Smoke Bar being the perfect rooftop spot for a cocktail and share plate.

Carriageworks 

Head over to the nearby South Eveleigh, a recently revitalised dining precinct in converted railway sheds. Grab a quick bite at North Sandwich & Burger; sit down for a hearty bowl of Pho from Eat Fuh or savour some Thai at Pepper Seeds. Nearby is also recently opened The Grounds Coffee Factory. Also be sure to grab a drink at Mountain Culture’s newest brewery which recently won the annual GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer award with its Status Quo Pale Ale. Meanwhile, BrewDog comes complete with a taproom, bar and epic beer garden serving more than 20 craft beers on tap.

Central Station and The Goods Line 

The Rover is a sophisticated cocktail bar with an upmarket British tavern feel and a focus on oysters, whisky, and organic and biodynamic wine. For something a little different, Butter offers a quirky combo of fried chicken, Champagne and hip-hop. Vivid Fire Kitchen is turning the heat up this year with live demonstrations showcasing the theme ‘Fire & Spice’: a bold new twist that celebrates the world’s most vibrant, spice-driven cuisines with flame-seared favourites. Inspired by the Australian coastline, 1 Chef’s Hat-awarded Longshore serves ingredients from sea and land in a unique way. Spice Alley offers a comprehensive selection of six hawker-style Asian street-food eateries under a canopy of yellow lanterns, tucked away in a charming, paved alleyway in Chippendale.

Circular Quay 

Gateway Sydney is a good place to start, a vibrant precinct with more than 30 casual eateries covering all types of cuisine. Hinchcliff House offers a range of unique venues including Lana, Grana, Martinez, underground bar Apollonia, and pasta and deli BAR MAMMONI. Mary’s Underground offers lobster and steak frites into the late night, perfect for a post Light Walk feast. And once the site of warehouse parties, Hickson House is now a lively craft spirit distillery, and offers tours. For dinner under the Sydney Opera House sails, it’s hard to imagine a more iconic spot than Opera Bar – and where better to watch the Vivid Sydney lights over the Harbour? 

The Rocks 

Step back in time for a G&T inside Frank Mac’s, with 1840s sandstone walls and charming table service. New restaurant Canvas Restaurant, based at the Museum of Contemporary Art, is the perfect spot to take in Vivid. Take your kids to Pancakes on The Rocks for an Americana take on the classic pancake, open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. For something special, Bay Nine is an omakase Japanese restaurant, with a daily changing menu of 11 courses served by an acclaimed chef. Recently renovated The Cut Bar & Grill combines heritage with modern elegance, providing an unforgettable steakhouse experience.

Darling Harbour and Darling Quarter 

Fratelli Fresh offers fresh and fast family-friendly pizza and pasta – what's not to love? If you are after a date-night option, Atelier by Sofitel - a Two Chef Hatted restaurant - is an elegant space with an expansive wine list and beautiful local seafood. Fancy a late-night drink? Head to Lumière on Thirty Five, the Sofitel’s late night bar option (open 8pm-1am). Darling Square is a buzzing precinct for Asian deliciousness: dumplings, noodles, bubble tea and dessert. 

Sydney CBD 

Offering four venues in one, Shell House is all about Art Deco decadence, a luxe place to celebrate your Vivid Sydney night out – finish your evening with a drink at their rooftop bar. The International precinct overlooking Sydney’s Martin Place offers three distinctly international levels, including The Wine Bar (ground floor), The Grill (level 1), and The Panorama Bar (top floor).

Vivid Dreams: Where To Stay 

A comfortable place to put up your feet after a night exploring is essential during Vivid Sydney, and the city has a room for everyone. Here are a few ideas: 

Luxe 

Located in the heart of the CBD, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has reopened its doors after a stunning refurbishment to offer five-star luxury in the city, while Kimpton Margot Sydney fuses Art Deco ambience with modern luxe, with a glamorous rooftop bar and pool. Crown Sydney is a prime spot to access Vivid Sydney locations Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, and for twinkling harbour panoramas and full views of the Vivid Sydney lights, waterfront Park Hyatt or Shangri-La at The Rocks can’t be beat. Check out Capella Sydney: a heritage listed icon and one of Sydney’s newest and highly anticipated luxury 5-star hotels.

Family-friendly 

There’s plenty of accommodation options that have what you need if travelling with little ones. The Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour makes the perfect base to explore Vivid Sydney along the waterfront, as well as being conveniently located to many family-friendly food options. Rydges Sydney Central is sleek, modern and right near Central Station. Head across the bridge and settle in for a slumber party with the animals at Taronga Zoo – their wildlife safari tents look out on the illuminated Sydney Harbour. 

Designer Digs 

After you’ve sparked your creativity exploring the festival, rest your inspired head at one of Sydney’s many designer-driven boutique hotels, right next to the beginning of the Light Walk at Central Station: Ace Hotel Sydney brings the Palm Springs brand’s artistic flair to the harbour city; Paramount House Hotel offers 29 unique rooms; or take a dip in The Old Clare Hotel’s luxurious rooftop pool. If waterfront is what you seek, check into one of Hotel Palisade’s eight guestrooms (some featuring Bridge views) or get even closer to the icon at Pier One Sydney. 

Airbnb

For the second year running, Airbnb is teaming up with Vivid Sydney as the 2025 Festival’s community partner. Airbnb offers a wide selection of city stays, from harbour-side, sophisticated apartments to cosy suburban rooftops. Visitors can make the most out of the festival by staying in convenient locations and enjoying the best views. 

Vivid Sydney And Beyond

Show Stoppers 

Catch a world-class musical such as MJ the Musical  at the Sydney Lyric Theatre ( season ends 3 August), Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour (season ends 20 April),  Titanique at The Grand Electric (season ends 1 June) , Hadestown at the Theatre Royal (season ends 26 April), or Annie the Musical at Capitol Theatre (season ends 8 June). 

On The Harbour 

Watch the morning sun illuminate the skyline on a Sydney Harbour Sunrise kayak safari with Sydney Harbour Kyaks.

Slow things down with a pedal past secret coves and over the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge with Sydney Harbour Bike Tours, or rise up for a bird’s-eye view of beautiful Sydney on a flight with Sydney Seaplanes.

For more insight into Sydney’s colonial past and a taste of local beers in some of The Rocks historic pubs, head off on one of Dave’s Pub Tours. The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour, by Dreamtime Southern X, will show you another side of Sydney’s history – of the Gadigal people, and how their culture originated from the land. 

As the sun sets, be mesmerised by Vivid Sydney’s lights reflecting across the water with a 60-minute evening cruise of the harbour with Fantasea or see brilliance from above as you scale to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in time to watch Vivid Sydney burst into life at 6pm. On the ground, learn how to capture the beautiful Vivid Sydney lights with a Vivid Photography Walking Tour with Picture Me Sydney.