What is Vivid Sydney I hear you ask? It's one of the most anticipated annual events taking over Sydney with mesmerizing light installations and upbeat music. Last year, the whole city was transformed with high-tech artworks and 3D projection mapping on iconic Australian buildings and landmarks, surrounding streets with energetic beats, and A WHOLE LOT MORE. The Vivid event has now returned and it's BIGGER, BOLDER AND BRIGHTER than ever. Altogether there are 98 light installations, 123 music events, 81 idea programs and infinite reasons to be excited about Vivid Sydney 2017!

Vivid Sydney 2017 is rocking various locations all over Sydney, Australia from 26th May until 17th June, 6 pm to 11 pm every night. If you're able to make it or planning a trip to see one of the world's most captivating light shows, make sure you download the Vivid Sydney app so you can browse and discover everything Vivid has to offer. 

Enter night time, there is SO MUCH to see and experience at this fabulous festival. It's nearly impossible to fit all the programs in a short trip so make a list of the installations or events you don't want to miss. If you're a Sydneysider, take your own sweet time and enjoy every single event. Besides, most of the events are free while some are selling tickets at an affordable price. Sydney is currently the most happening city on the planet, especially to explore some of these amazing highlights.

1. Lighting of the Sails: Audio Creatures (Sydney Opera House)

Image source: Sydney

Prepared to be mesmerized as you watch the Sydney Opera House come to life with vivid colours, dramatic animations, and striking lights moving to the beat of the music. This outstanding work of art is directed by Ash Bolland, music by Amon Tobin, and visual content by Spinifex P/L Sydney. 

2. EORA - Bennelong (Campbell's Cove)

Image source: Dedece

While the Harbour Bridge continues to leave its audience in awe with its multi-coloured light projections, there are still many more cool installations waiting to be discovered around the area of Campbell's Cove including EORA: Bennelong. Created by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, this art installation projected on the side of Harbour Bridge pays tribute to Woollarawarre Bennelong, one of the first Aboriginal men who travel across seas to be exposed to European ways and have his life story documented.

3. Portholes (The Rocks)

Image source: Dedece

One of the busiest stretch of the installations at Vivid Sydney 2017 is the Vivid Light Walk. Around The Rocks, there are over 65 stunningly beautiful works on the show as you meander around the cobbled streets of The Rocks and harbour foreshore. Get a glimpse into an imaginary world through portholes that reveal an aquatic scene, a stellar one or any landscape that's beyond imagination.

4. Freedom of Movement (The Rocks)

Image source: Dedece

As artists, designers, technophiles and many other big names collaborate in becoming Vivid Partners to contribute to the cinematic and musical experience, Ford joins the festival with its spectacular and engaging installation: Freedom of Movement. Drawing inspiration from its commitment to "Go Further", Ford and Vivid Sydney have created a set of illuminated swings that fuses colour, light, sound and motion to showcase its drive to push beyond the limits of our imagination, innovation and to move people in new ways.

5. Organic Vibrations (The Rocks)

Image source: ABC News

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is once again, a spectacular canvas of exciting abstract images and animations using projection mapping techniques. You will be amazed by the series of coloured strata that flows rhythmically to the music and a dizzying array of special effects over the facade of MCA.

6. Sydneyland (The Royal Botanic Garden)

Image source: Vivid Sydney

Take a postcard snapshot of SYDNEYLAND that beams brightly across the harbour in a whimsical array of colours and bold fluorescent hues that represent a part of Sydney from the sunrise over Coogee beach, to the sparkle of Mardi Gras, the kaleidoscope of street art in Newtown, and the twinkle of the city lights reflected in the water of Circular Quay.

7. Birds of Lumos (The Royal Botanic Garden)

Image source: Vivid Sydney

Meet 'Rowi' the kiwi and her baby chick that glow and pulsate in different colours through their light globe bodies. Unlike any ordinary kiwi with poor vision (Just so you know, these species of birds have a keen sense of hearing and smell), these adorable duos wear goggles to improve their poor eyesight. The artists, amigo and amigo (Simone Chua and Renzo B. Larriviere), have created these two endangered nocturnal birds to raise awareness on the importance of conservation and preservation of wildlife.

8. Future City Smart City (Chatswood)

Image source: Vivid Sydney

Chatswood, a major central business district (CBD), has been revamped into a funky and futuristic smart city that transports its visitors into the fantastical realm of Future City, Smart City. Dive into the indescribable imaginary world as portrayed by the ingenious installations and light sculptures.

9. Vivid Music

Do you want to be partying to the cool beats by Tokyo Disco with massive lights and LED installations, robotic stilt walkers and Hula Hooping Geishas that'll instantly set the mood? How about Silent Disco Ice Skating - ice skating while listening to the LIVE DJ set on your very own pair of headphones? If jazz music is your kind of jam, go for a Feel Good Jazz Session. Vivid Music presents the biggest LIVE entertainment, concerts, party tunes and dance parties that will get you groovin' all night long.  

10. Vivid Ideas

Image source: Vivid Sydney

The list of awesomeness doesn't stop there. Start-ups, entrepreneurs and emerging talent come together and inspire ideas on the changing face of creative industries at the Vivid Ideas program. World-class leaders and thought-provoking creators will be making their appearance at various talks and workshops. It presents a great opportunity for people to connect and expand networks.   

There's no better time to visit Sydney than now. For more info, visit these sites: www.sydney.com or www.vividsydney.com