Lights On! Harbour City transforms for Vivid Sydney 2024

Download high-res images & broadcast-quality vision of Vivid Sydney 2024 HERE

Tickets available fromvividsydney.com

SYDNEY,May 24,2024 -- Vivid Sydney 2024 has kicked off its 14th year with a spectacular opening night,as the festival transforms Sydney's glittering harbour,iconic landmarks and cityscape with a showcase of creativity and innovation for the next 23 nights.

The Southern Hemisphere's leading multi-artform festival will run from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June,featuring the world's most innovative artists,culinary talent,contemporary musicians and thought leaders as part of its 2024 program under the theme ofHumanity.

The 'Lights On' moment wowed onlookers with over 30 light installations and 3D projections across the famed 8km Vivid Sydney Light Walk,highlighted by the Sydney Opera House featuring the breathtaking new digital artwork,Lighting of the Sails:Echo (2024). Created by multidisciplinary Australian artist and 2023 Archibald Prize WinnerJulia Gutman,with creative technologistsPleasant Company,the projection on the Sydney Opera House Sails digitises centuries-old fabric making techniques into an animated,modern epic.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

"The bright lights of Vivid Sydney are officially on.

"For the next 3 weeks Sydney will showcase the magical lights,art and fun of Vivid Sydney. There is something for the whole family,so I encourage everyone to come along and make the most of Vivid Sydney this year."

Minister for the Arts,Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy,and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

"Since 2009,Vivid Sydney has been a global platform showcasing our vibrant culture,bustling nightlife and creative talents.

"Going from strength to strength in its 14thyear,Vivid Sydney shows the world our colourful creative side. Vivid Sydney shows the world we have big dreams.

"With the majority of this year's festival being free,we're looking forward to welcoming visitors back again in the millions.

"Tonight,we begin 23 days of Light,23 days of Music,Ideas and Food. 23 days of shared experiences. For the next 23 days,Sydney will be beautiful by day,Vivid Sydney by night."

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said:

"Vivid Sydney is the original festival of light,art and culture,and we're proud to be celebrating its 14th year with an incredible line-up of light,music,ideas and food under 2024's theme ofHumanity.

"It is such a privilege and honour to direct this year's program and we're so excited to bring festival-goers a calibre of Australian and international talent that not only maintains the standard we've set in previous years but takes the program to new heights. Vivid Sydney 2024 is a must-see,and we can't wait to welcome all Australians and global visitors alike for the next 23 nights!"

Staged across the Sydney CBD,Vivid Sydney festival locations and venues include Circular Quay,the Sydney Opera House,The Rocks,State Library of New South Wales,Walsh Bay Arts Precinct,Barangaroo,Darling Harbour,University of Technology Sydney,The Goods Line,Wynyard Tunnels,Royal Botanic Garden Sydney,Carriageworks,and more.

For more information and tickets visitvividsydney.com.

VIVID SYDNEY HIGHLIGHTS

VIVID LIGHT

As the sun goes down each evening during Vivid Sydney,the city will transform with light installations,3D projection artworks and ticketed events for visitors to immerse themselves in a new world of colour and light across the 8km Vivid Sydney Light Walk.

Vivid Sydney has again partnered withCinewav,enabling visitors to listen to the soundtracks to select projection artworks wherever they are on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk

From almost anywhere in the city,visitors will witness a 40km stretch of rainbow lasers emanating from the Sydney Tower,a universal symbol of hope by US artist Yvette Mattern titledGlobal Rainbow

One of Australia's most-beloved artists,Reg Mombassa will reimagine the classic Aussie road trip on Customs House forGumscape with Road and Creatures

Celebrated Chinese Australian artist Guan Wei's signature iconography will transform the Museum of Contemporary Art forSea,Sand and Stars

Nest,a collaboration between Leila Jeffreysand Melvin J. Montalban,features a large-scale circular projection at the Stargazer Lawn in Barangaroo,spotlighting the ritualistic mating dance of the brolga and humanity's connection with nature

Step up to theOmnivisuview finder in Tumbalong Park,and let your eyes become the literal windows to our city's soul

Horizonfrom Spanish artistsPlaymodesis a hypnotic,full-body experience complete with trance-like sounds and strobing lights at Harbour Park,Barangaroo

Towering over 15 metres tall,PORTALfrom Lucid Creates frames Barangaroo Headland with a glowing display of light and atmospheric sounds

The Vivid Sydney 2024 drone showLove is in the Airwill feature more than 700 drones over three separate nights for another fan-favourite Vivid Sydney spectacle over the harbour

Dark Spectrum: A New Journeyreturns to the Wynyard Tunnels in new and fantastic ways to take us on a journey of light and sound

The internationally acclaimed multi-sensory experience of light,colour and sound,Lightscape, returns to The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

VIVID MUSIC

Vivid Music will ignite the city with a curated program of live performances,concerts and DJ sets acrossdiverse venues,with something for the whole family,at any age.

Exclusive to Vivid Sydney,Tekno Train by Paul Macis a one-of-a-kind event that will transform a Sydney Trains ride into a moving,sensory sound and light experience

Thereimagined 100-year-old substationMachine Hallwill be open to the public for the very first time during Vivid Sydney 2024,pulsating with performances fromDeerhoof,Jen Cloher,CLUB4AandNo Fixed Address

On Thursday,Friday and Saturday nights of the festival,Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour will become the Vivid Sydney go-to for free and contemporary music right in the heart of the Light Walk forTumbalong Nights. The 12-night line-up features artists such asChristine Anu,Sneaky Sound System,Forest Claudette,Teenage Jones,,tiffi,Budjerah,grentperez,and more,plus DJs and kids programming on Saturday nights all free of charge

Comedy darling Rhys Nicholsonand ARIA award winning musicianGeorgia Mooneywill transform Mary's Underground into an intimate cabaret lounge for theVivid Sydney Supper Clubfeaturinglive performances and appearances fromMO'JU,Don't Thank Me Spank Me,Montaigne,Brendan Maclean,Mark Humphriesand more each Friday and Saturday from 9pm to 1am

Diverse and multi-sensory experiences at Carriageworks,with an electrifying line-up includingElectric Fields,Yves Tumor,Yasiin Beyand many more.

The Vivid LIVEat Sydney Opera Houseline-up features more than 40 Australian and international artists.Arca,Air,Underworld,Fever Ray,Devonte Hynes,Snoh Alegra,Sky Ferreira,Thelma Plumand many more will take to the stages of the world-famous building in a program curated by Sydney Opera House's Head of Contemporary MusicBen Marshall

VIVID IDEAS

The Vivid Ideas program sparks curiosity with new ways to experience ideas through the exploration of humanity,community,authenticity,respect,love and lessons learnt from the natural world – with theatre,installations and engaging discussions just the beginning.

From the football team that united Australia in 2023,Tony Gustavsson,head coach of the CommBank Matildas,andMackenzie Arnold,celebrated CommBank Matildas goalkeeper and captain of West Ham United,will be hosted in an insightful conversation –Champions of Change- facilitated by Matildas alumni and now journalist Grace Gill at Sydney Town Hall

Golden Globe® and Emmy Award® winning actress and comedian Amy Poehlerwill step inside the Sydney Opera House for a special and unmissableIn ConversationIdeas event and a special first look atDisney and Pixar'sInside Out 2

After The Factwill offer opportunities to engage in free weeknight discussions on current affairs with writers,journalists,ex-politicians,social commentators,artists and academics – includingAnnabel Crabb,Rhoda Roberts AO,Kim Williams AM,Lucy Turnbull AO,Charles Firthand more

Unique experiences including A THOUSAND WAYS: An Encounter,Window DressingandShifting Perspectiveswill offer immersive moments to connect with both strangers and ourselves

The Golden Age of Humanitywill showcase nine selected films over nine starry nights at Surry Hills' beloved Golden Age Cinema - curated by nine great Australians includingAmar Singh,Saxon Mullins,Kylie Kwong AM,Kate McClymont AM,Craig Foster AMand more

VIVID FOOD

Vivid Chef Seriesreturns to hatted restaurantsFred's,AALIA,The Porter House,FiredoorandThe Charles Brasserie & Baras they host unmissable foodie collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs includingMax Coen,Ivan Brehm,Selassie Atadika,Niklas EkstedtandSally Abé

Vivid Fire Kitchenis also back in 2024 with delectable offerings at its new location on The Goods Line,bringing together the world's hottest culinary concepts,curated drinksand cocktails fromArchieRoseandStarward,and entertainment with demonstrations from local and international pitmasters including California-favouriteShalamar Lane,Christine Manfield,Mindy Woods,Lennox Hastie,Jess Pryles,and more

Making its debut at Vivid Sydney 2024,the Messina Milk Barwill be an illuminated full-scale pop-up with a menu of gelato-infused chocolate bars,dixie cups,tailor-made milkshakes and spiders from the cult-gelato innovators at Messina

A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarezis set to showcase women in Australian gastronomy at the incredible Yallamundi Rooms at the Sydney Opera House

Plates with Purposewill offer a taste of Ukraine at Kyiv Social,courtesy of head chef,Borys Chernyk who brings over 30 years of experience in Ukrainian fine dining

Visitors can explore over 20 top chefs and restaurateurs at the VividPlace Food Trailor indulge in a bespoke bar snack and cocktail experience atAurorae at Bennelong Bar,offering an incredible view of the lights across Sydney Harbour

VIVID SYDNEY PARTNERS

Vivid Sydney thanks its Partners for their support of Vivid Sydney 2024.

Kiareturns as major partner for a third year,presenting two visually immersive activations on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk –EV9 "Kia Kinetic"at Circular Quay andEV5 "Kia Kaleidoscope"at Darling Harbour.

Australian Traffic Network (ATN)will partner with Vivid Sydney to deliver theLove is in the Airdrone shows,with three shows on 8,9 and 15 June planned to wow audiences during the festival.

Sony Music Entertainment Australiareturns for a second year and presents two ticketed immersive light events,Dark Spectrum: A New Journey,at the Wynyard Tunnels withMandylightsandCulture Creative,andLightscapeat theRoyal Botanic Garden Sydney,in collaboration withCulture Creative.

Samsungalso comes onboard as a Major Partner of Vivid Sydney 2024,presentingChorus of Light,an immersive activation on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk,designed to tap into our desire for connection through the enablement of barrier-free communication,inspired by Samsung Galaxy AI technology.

Airbnbis the inaugural Vivid Sydney Community Partner,supporting the Vivid Sydney Volunteer Program.

Official partnerSennheiserpresents theSennheiser Mirrorbox,an audio experience merging AI analysis,sound design and visual elements to explore the relationship between sound and human identity.

Estee Lauderwill partner with Vivid Sydney as an Official Partner,activating during the festival withBeauty Sleep,integrating elements of beauty and science.

Supporting Partners includeCity of SydneyandNova 96.9.

Supplier partners includeCinewav,Event Engineering,Mandylights,Technical Direction Company,TransdevandKennards Hire.

Returning for the second year,the Local Business Program Partner isExperience Oz Australia.

Vivid Sydney program partners includeCarriageworks,Disney,Museum of Contemporary ArtandSydney Opera House.

The Vivid Sydney 2024 Charity Partner isMédecins Sans Frontières (MSF),which translates to Doctors Without Borders.

Vivid Sydney locations includeBarangaroo,Darling Harbour,The Rocks,Barangaroo House,Golden Age Cinema,Machine Hall,State Library of New South Wales,North Sydney CouncilandWalsh Bay Arts Precinct.

For more information and to keep updated about the program,go to vividsydney.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Visit the Vivid Sydney News Room to download the full 2024 Vivid Sydney Lights On content package including a VNR with grabs from Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham,Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini and Vivid Sydney artists,as well as high-res imagery and broadcast-quality b-roll video footage:www.vividsydney.com/news-room.

ABOUT VIVID SYDNEY

Vivid Sydney,the Southern Hemisphere's leading multi-artform festival,transforms Sydney into a vibrant hub of creativity,innovation and community connection. Over 23 nights,light installations,ideas and food inspire global audiences and drive cultural exchange. The 2024 theme,'Humanity,' sparks reflection and engagement,attracting visitors and fuelling economic growth. Proudly owned by Destination NSW,Vivid Sydney showcases NSW's cultural vibrancy and positions it as a global leader in artistic innovation.

ABOUT DESTINATION NSW

Destination NSW is the champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth,Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research,policy and thought leadership,stakeholder engagement and consultation,commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences,business support,marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions,incentive travel reward programs,corporate events and exhibitions.