The bright side

Ignite your senses with Vivid Sydney’s packed program of dazzling light displays, musical performances, thought-provoking exchanges and culinary events. The Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival will illuminate the Harbour City from 24 May to 15 June so make your plans now. Admire the lights from these stellar vantage points

On the ground

On the water

In the clouds

Kick off the evening with the glittering projections at Circular Quay – don’t miss Reg Mombassa’s Customs House takeover – then wander the eightkilometre Vivid Sydney Light Walk. It takes you from the luminous harbourfront to the twinkling installations around the buzzing Barangaroo and Darling Harbour precincts, then all the way to Ultimo’s elevated walkway, The Goods Line. Regular passenger ferries from Circular Quay to Manly and Rose Bay all offer views of the glowing Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Or take things up a notch with Captain Cook Cruises’ Vivid Sydney Gold Penfolds Dinner (captaincook.com.au). This memorable three-hour voyage features a six-course meal with paired wines, live music and incredible views. Savour a Vivid Sydney-themed two-course dinner with matched cocktails while enjoying the 270-degree panorama of the radiant harbour from InterContinental Sydney’s rooftop bar, Aster (sydney.intercontinental.com). See the spectacle from another perspective at Luke’s Vivid Table at The Pylon Lookout (lukemangan.com), the pop-up restaurant in Sydney Harbour Bridge’s South-East Pylon.