Vivid Sydney 2025 is set to illuminate the city from 23 May to 14 June, offering a vibrant array of light installations, music performances, and interactive experiences. See our Instagram Reel here. With over 75% of the program being free, families can enjoy a multitude of activities across various precincts, including
- Circular Quay
- The Rocks
- Barangaroo
- Martin Place
- Darling Harbour
- The Goods Line (urban walkway from Central Station to Darling Harbour)
Here’s a guide to the best family-friendly events at Vivid Sydney 2025:
🎉 Vivid Kids @ Tumbalong Park (FREE)
Looking for the perfect family-friendly way to start your Vivid adventure? Every Saturday at 5pm, Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour hosts free live performances designed just for kids!
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🎶 Live Shows Every Saturday (24 May – 15 June) at 5pm: a fun, interactive concert series that gets kids moving and grooving!
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🌟 Family-friendly line-up includes:
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Whistle & Trick – ARIA-nominated duo with catchy, feel-good tunes
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The Vegetable Plot – Funky, eco-friendly songs with a healthy message
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Bennytime – High-energy dance party fun
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PASIFIX – Music and dance celebrating vibrant Pacific Islander culture
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Bring a picnic rug and settle in before exploring the nearby Light Walk and installations.
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Easy access, plenty of space for prams, and surrounded by food options.
🎢 Luna Park in the Dark
Celebrate Luna Park Sydney’s 90th Anniversary with “Luna Park in the Dark,” a unique experience where the park’s lights are switched off, allowing families to enjoy their favourite rides under the moonlight. This Vivid Sydney exclusive offers unlimited access to attractions like the Wild Mouse, Sledgehammer, and Big Dipper, adding an extra thrill to the nighttime adventure. Tix from $60.
💡 Vivid Light Walk (FREE)
The Vivid Light Walk offers 100% free, family-friendly light installations. It’s a stroller-friendly route filled with interactive artworks and dazzling displays, perfect for an evening stroll with the kids.
Spanning 8.5 km through, the Light Walk covers several key precincts and boasts over 42 large-scale projections and installations, including:
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Circular Quay & The Rocks: Home to iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring large-scale projections and interactive installations.
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Barangaroo: Offers a mix of immersive experiences and culinary delights, perfect for families and food enthusiasts alike.
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Darling Harbour: Features water-themed light displays and is a hub for family-friendly activities.
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The Goods Line & Inner City: A transformed urban walkway showcasing innovative light art and installations.
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Martin Place & CBD: The heart of Sydney’s business district, adorned with vibrant light sculptures and projections.
3. Play with Light, Sound and Imagination (FREE)
This year’s dream theme invites kids to interact, explore, and engage their creativity. Don’t miss:
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🌕 Fly to the Moon, Barangaroo Reserve: A surreal swing set under a giant glowing moon where kids can “fly” through the night sky. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and wildly popular—so arrive early!
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🎨 The Lucid Dream Collective, Martin Place: A futuristic photo booth powered by AI. Snap a picture, watch it transform into a dreamscape in real-time, and see it projected for all to enjoy. A fun souvenir and creative memory.
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🔥 Bon(d)fire, Darling Harbour: Kids can speak or sing into a mic to fuel a digital bonfire, creating a mesmerising experience that mixes sound, light and storytelling.
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🌌 SomniUs, The Goods Line: Kids’ movements light up this dreamy, sci-fi space. It’s a big hit for active children who love cause-and-effect interaction.
4. 👂 Vivid Sound Walk – One Magical Night Only (FREE)
For one night only, on Saturday 7th June, the Pitt Street end of Angel Place will be transformed into a spectacular light and sound experience designed by Australian lighting legends Mandylights. Wander through the transformed laneway, take in the enchanting visuals, and let the music and lights work their magic. Whether you’re pushing a pram or wrangling teens, this free, all-ages event is one of Vivid’s hidden gems—perfect for those looking for a memorable, city-centre experience without the crowds of Circular Quay.
🧒 Family tip: It’s a short walk from Martin Place and Circular Quay, so you can easily pair this with other Vivid Light Walk highlights.
5. 🛳️ Captain Cook Cruises
Experience Vivid from the water with a Vivid Boat Cruise by Captain Cook Cruises. These cruises offer unique vantage points for viewing the light displays and photo opportunities of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
🦒 BONUS: GLOW at Sydney Zoo
Discover over 200 new animal lanterns and interactive light displays at GLOW, Sydney Zoo’s spectacular light festival. Walk through giant crocodile jaws, admire towering octopus tentacles, and watch butterflies come alive in a vibrant light show.
The GLOW Zone offers exciting rides and free activities, including a drum race to light up a glowing heart and a piano key dance floor. Kids will love sliding down the colourful Carnival Cruise Line Funcastle. Don’t miss the stunning views from the 7NEWS Ferris Wheel and enjoy tasty treats from food trucks and the GLOW bar.
