Vivid Sydney returns for its 14th year to light up the city for 23 consecutive nights from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June. There are hundreds of installations along the 8.5km light walk so plan your experience over multiple nights as you won’t get to see it all in one go. The light walk is free and unticketed. Ticketed precincts include Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s ‘Lightscape’ and Wynyard Tunnels ‘Dark Spectrum’ return, while Sydney’s Taronga Zoo will not be lit up this year. Vivid Sydney’s popular drone shows will be held on Saturday 8, Sunday 9 and Saturday 15 June only, from 9.10pm
The city is no place for cars during Vivid Sydney with road closures and parking restrictions in place each night.
The best way to get around is by public transport with plenty of extra services running and all Vivid Sydney precincts within short walking distance of major transport hubs.
Due to road closures and large crowds there will be changes to transport services. On Fridays from 6pm and weekends from 5pm buses and light rail services will not run to Circular Quay. Buses will be relocated to stops at Martin Place and light rail services will run to and from Town Hall only. On Saturday nights and Sunday of the long weekend from 6pm to 11pm trains will not drop off passengers at Circular Quay Plan ahead if you are visiting on these nights and factor in additional time as you will need to walk further than usual to reach the harbour.
Vivid Sydney attracts millions of people each year, with the largest crowds visiting on Friday nights and weekends; if you want to avoid the peak crowds or are travelling with families consider visiting earlier in the week instead.
Transport changes during Vivid Sydney
- Trains: from 6pm to 11pm on Saturdays and Sunday of the long weekend (9 Jun) trains will not drop off passengers at Circular Quay due to anticipated large crowds – use Wynyard, Martin Place or St James instead.
- Bus: On Fridays from 6pm and weekends from 5pm buses that usually run to Circular Quay will start and end trips at Martin Place due to road closures. Continue on foot from Martin place to the harbour. Buses that usually run to King St Wharf will relocate to Wynyard.
- Light rail: On Fridays from 6pm and weekends from 5pm L2 and L3 light rail services will not run between Town Hall and Circular Quay, continue on foot from Town Hall.
- Ferries: Ferries are always extremely busy during Vivid Sydney so expect long queues on weekends and consider alternative transport options. On Saturday 8, Sunday 9 and Saturday 15 June ferries will not run to Circular Quay from 9pm to 9.30pm while the drone shows are underway.