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Sydney is vibrant at any time of year, but during May and June, it’s VIVID with light, colour, and movement. It is one of the biggest public events of the year; so big, it kicked off a culture of visual light exhibitions around Australia. Fortunately, Vivid Sydney is spread out over three (3) weeks, giving you plenty of time to slow down and enjoy the displays. Of course, this is also peak travel time to Sydney, and you need to plan accordingly. But here’s the good news: It’s not too late to prepare for Vivid Sydney 2025, and it won’t cost you the Earth to enjoy it. 

Let’s summarise upfront: Two of my absolute favourite places to stay in Sydney are YHA The Rocks/Sydney Harbour and YHA Sydney Central. They are central, affordable, gorgeous, and offer private rooms for the ‘glampacking’ crowd. They are also perfect for travelling with a group of friends to events like Vivid, or for solo-travellers taking their own time and space. Last time I checked (as of 30 April 2025), both sites have availability during Vivid, with excellent access to the city’s wide range of events. Side-note: I am not affiliated in any way with YHA and do not receive any benefit from this article. All thoughts are my own and pretty much follow the vibe I’ve shared on social media many times before. Hostels are awesome, affordable, accessible, and are generally overlooked by travellers. Give them a go!

If You Haven’t Heard of Vivid Sydney Before…

It can be summed up with three words: night, light, and bright! Vivid initially started as a low-energy light walk around The Rocks and Circular Quay, down near Sydney Harbour. Full kudos to MaryAnne Kyriakou, who was inspired by the Glow Light Festival in Eindhoven, The Netherlands in 2006 (it’s on my travel wishlist), along with Anthony Bastic, Carolyn Grant, Joe Snell, and Davina Jackson.

How it started: a beautiful outdoor exhibit with light and music displays, often with social messages. Some of the more famous highlights include images and video ‘painted’ on to Sydney’s iconic structures, including Doctor Who and May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie on Customs House (I wrote about it for Book Riot here), marine life on the Sydney Opera House, and Mambo art on the pillars of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

I have been attending Vivid on and off since 2011. Some of my favourites are lesser-known displays. In 2018, a fantastic exhibit featured bioluminescence, highlighting the importance of marine conservation and research. It was tucked away in one of the backstreets along the Light Walk, which guided visitors through the streets and alleys of Sydney, then returned to Circular Quay for the big light show. These are the displays I now hunt for. 

Vivid’s success and popularity have been both a boon and a burden. As the festival gains popularity, so does its impact across the city. Special events can now be found in the Botanic Gardens, across Central Station, down through The Goods Line, and in Darling Harbour. Since the opening of Barangaroo, self-guided walks have included more waterfront views. This year, 2025, we will see a return to Martin Place, in the heart of the CBD. 

At the same time, increased corporate sponsorship has led to more company-based light displays and fewer independent, free-spirited artists. Gone are the days of seeing innovative design based on environmental and social messages. Instead, last year I was left somewhat underwhelmed by the Estée Lauder head near the Darling Harbour food quarter. 

This year is looking better, at least based on the map provided so far. 

Where to Start Your Light Walk

Pro Tip #1: It’s not going to be a ‘light walk’. Wear comfortable shoes, a jacket, and snacks (unless you plan to pick up food along the way. More on that later). 

Vivid Sydney has released its event map on the website here. In 2025, it is divided into five (5) main areas: The Goods Line and Inner City, Darling Harbour, Martin Place and CBD, Barangaroo, and Circular Quay and The Rocks. You can probably cover 2-3 areas in a night, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to cover all five. It’s not the biggest CBD in the world, but Sydney is deceptively more spread out than you think. Pace yourself and give it at least two nights if you want to see everything on the map. 

This is where the YHAs are perfectly placed. Sydney Central YHA is across the road from Central Station, in the centre of The Goods Line and Inner City sector. You could easily venture down along The Goods Line through to Darling Harbour, exploring the industrial-style architecture as a backdrop for the light displays, such as Eye of the Beholder. Vivid Fire Kitchen is back this year, with plenty to offer for dinner and drinks along the way. Check out the Starscape Tunnel on your way down to Tumbalong Park, where you’ll find a collection of activities to share with your friends. I predict LOTS of Instagram and TikTok for The Cloud Swing this year. When still, the clouds are simply illuminated puff of white. But when you swing them back and forth, they burst with colour and patterns; a sign of creativity and freedom coming forth. 

The second half of Vivid stretches across Martin Place and CBD, Barangaroo, and Circular Quay and The Rocks. Sydney Harbour YHA is a great place to start and end your night, tucked away at the back of The Rocks, near the Harbour Bridge, but without the noise that comes with it. It also has a spectacular rooftop bar with gorgeous views across Circular Quay, capturing the very essence of Vivid at night in all its vibrancy. 

It also offers a great circle walk around Barangaroo, with a boom of displays (better than last year). Lumina Dream looks like a great place to start: glowing raindrops that react to the environmental patterns around them. Consider it your own weather guide for the Vivid festival. 

Pro-tip #2: Eat with local businesses to help encourage more local support for Vivid Sydney in the future. Grab some dinner on your way to Circular Quay and The Rocks. Previous years have had a few street vendors with a wide range of food. However, it can be a bit expensive so consider your options. Restaurants in Barangaroo are definitely more high-end, but there are a few food outlets hidden along the backstreets towards The Rocks. My favourites are the ol’ fashioned pubs with steaks and burgers. The Glenmore has Tuesday Cheeseburgers for $12, or join Tex-Mex Salsa Month at El Camino. 

Refueled and ready to go, Circular Quay and The Rocks definitely have a higher number of displays to check out. Pro-tip #3: Watch the crowds here; it can be very popular on Fridays and Saturdays, especially with families avoiding school nights. Keep an eye out for smaller exhibits hidden amongst the back alleys in The Rocks, usually created by local artists who regularly frequent the area throughout the year. 

One of the big highlights at every Vivid is the music and light display on Customs House. This year, the building facade will present House of Romance: Dreams Collide, a loving homage to all things Australian. The visual art will feature nods to Iced Vovos, Ken Done, and multi-coloured crochet (amongst other things), all backed with a soundtrack from Heckler Sound. To view it in all of its Aussie glory, head upstairs to Platform 1 at Circular Quay Station (heading towards Wynyard). Make sure you double-check if the station is open during peak times for Vivid. In recent years, the Station has been closed between 6 and 9pm. 

On either night, you can finish your walk through Martin Place, taking in the giant Flowers’ Power and Biodream before heading home to bed. There are also numerous ticketed events near Martin Place, including Sound Escape at City Recital Hall. Or travel a little further afield to the Carriageworks in Eveleigh (8mins from Redfern Train Station), for ticketed music events like Kamasi Washington and some smooth American jazz. 

While You’re in Sydney

Is it worth visiting Sydney just for Vivid? I tend to think so; but not every year has felt like it. Looking at the list of events for 2025, I think it has a very good chance of being one of the best years in a long time. The secret is in the fine balance between interactive displays and storytelling with the ever-growing crowds and popularity. I absolutely love the idea of swings and see-saws down at Darling Harbour, tied in with garden themes in Martin Place and iconic Australian artwork across buildings in Circular Quay. Having more free events is also a smart choice, giving visitors more opportunity to spend and support local businesses in the area. 

I am fortunate enough to live fairly close to Sydney CBD, which gives me more access and familiarity with Vivid, the CBD, and Sydney’s public transport. I love to meet up with friends and family visiting Sydney during this time, with the opportunity to show Sydney’s beauty in a whole new light (pun intended). 

Would I recommend travellers visit Sydney for Vivid? Absolutely. It takes a little planning, especially when it comes to accommodation and food. It can be a little expensive with food too. But if you can manage a few consecutive nights and don’t mind late-night walks, it is super enjoyable. Sydney is a very safe city to visit. However, the crowds during Vivid can be a bit overwhelming, so be honest and kind with yourself. Avoid the weekends. If it’s too much, let your friends/family know and walk one block over. There’s always something more to discover. 

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EXTRA BONUS STUFF:

I have recently joined Solo Trvlr as a travel advisor for all things Sydney and a lot of Australia. Solo Trvlr is a collective of experienced solo travellers offering one-on-one consultations to help plan your next trip. It is especially useful for solo female/non-binary travellers who are looking for extra inside information on safe places and local favourites. I love the idea of a registry for local talent, fully vetted and available for a chat to really help personalise your travel experience. 

If you’re looking for extra tips for Sydney during Vivid or anywhere else along the east coast of Australia, Solo Trvlr is offering a special 25% discount to my readers. Head over to my profile here, and when you’re ready to book a session, enter the code: ANN-MARIE-C-25. We’ll chat about local eateries, transport options, perfect spots for photos, and a few hidden faves for wildlife too. 

Vivid Sydney starts on 23 May, so we still have time to plan!