Lights, Camera, Action! Sydney is about to be illuminated in vibrant colour this coming Autumn. Are you ready? I see the posts of VIVID Sydney splashed across Insta and it truly makes my heart flutter.

sydney-harbour-bridge-vivid — The city comes alive during VIVID and is simply stunning

A creative’s dream and passionate fuel for the imagination. VIVID gets bigger every year. It is one event, one festival that absolutely needs to be on your bucket list! It is visual grandeur.

sydney-opera-house-vivid — View from The Rocks overlooking the grand canvas of the iconic Opera House

Here’s 10 things you need to know about VIVID Sydney: -

1. VIVID is an award-winning, annual festival

It is one of the largest festivals in the world, with the most visually stunning 3D light projections, cross-art form installations, accompanied with live music and deep-dive discussions. The blank canvas of Sydney City becomes centre stage and the transformation is exhilarating.

museum-of-contemporary-art-sydney — The Museum of Contemporary Art makes a beautiful canvas with a kaleidoscope of colour

2. Book early for accommodation

Book accommodation as soon as possible. This is an insanely popular event and now that Australia is open to the world, VIVID is a major calling card to both interstate and international tourists. VIVID had 2.4 million visitors attend in 2019. The festival is held in the early winter months (May- June - check Vivid for dates). Prime locations to be immersed in the absolute heart of VIVID, is at:

· The Rocks,

· Barangaroo,

· Circular Quay

· Darling Harbour

When booking accommodation, these locations allow you to be at the doorstep to the festival, however you can choose to stay outside of these areas and travel into Circular Quay each night. Keep reading to find out where the hotels with the prime views are.

Travel Tip: I have seen some amazing deals on Luxury Escapes for a stay in Sydney that incudes during the Vivid festival period and that makes a great option, particularly as so many add-ins to the deal. E.g. late checkouts, credits for dinner, bottle of wine on arrival etc. Maybe I am being somewhat reserved still, however I am opting to book directly with the hotel or use booking.com where I can cancel last minute, just to be certain that you have options. Always search for the best deal you can get to stretch your dollar.

3. Plan to see VIVID from Sydney Harbour

One of the most enjoyable ways to see VIVID, is from the harbour. Consider how you can do that, whether it is a Tall ship dinner cruise, a small cruise serving canapes, cruising with BYO drinks, or on a larger cruise with a full 3 – 6 course dinner being served. There is a new boat with glass/clear viewing that allows incredible views, as each seat is like having your own window seat. It is a highlight to see from the harbour, however stunning from all angles whether on foot or cruising.

Travel Tip: On my last visit to VIVID, some of the cruises were not fully booked out. In fact, many smaller cruise operators were drumming up business on the side of the wharves (near the cruise ship terminal) and offering cruises at heavily reduced prices. Also check out Book.me from the last 3 weeks before your travel period to find if any deals available and pre-book. Also look at Groupon, as there are a ton of deals on for VIVID, you just have to be prepared to pre-book. I have booked a Catamaran with Groupon and it saved me 56% off. An absolute bargain including a DJ and welcome drink. If this is on your bucket list though and you want to be assured of your harbour cruise and dinner package – book early.

Also be sure where you are cruising to….you are wanting to make sure they are passing the iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Some cruise operators only cruise around Darling Harbour. Check the fine print carefully as you want the full VIVID experience on the harbour.

deeluxe-at-vivid — VIVID can be explored on foot or by cruise. Try to see it from all angles!

4. Get your walking shoes on!

There is so much to see and do during the festival. You are going to cover a lot of territory if you want to squeeze in as much as you can. The festival stretches from Taronga Zoo, across the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Gardens through to the Rocks around to Darling Harbour. It also includes to Central Station. That’s a lot of walking!

Travel Tip – wear super comfortable shoes! Your 12-inch heels may look glam for the Insta posts but won’t keep you in good stead for lots of walking. You need to trust me on this! I retired my 12 inches a wee back, lol!

5. Rain, hail or shine – the show must go on

Oh wait, No shine – as only comes alive at 6pm, so no sun needed. Special waterproofing is in place to ensure the lighting and sculptures are safe. The festival runs during the end of Autumn and the start of our mild Aussie winters….so you will find is generally perfect weather during this time. Any which way though, the show will go on!

sydney-harbour-lights — The entire city is awash with the biggest light show during VIVID Sydney - it makes the heart flutter!

6. You can stay on budget! Yes…you can!

If you are clever about how you book your trip, it need not break the bank. Look to your accumulated frequent flyer points to get you flying. Also, many of the airlines have such amazing deals happening – take advantage. With points and my Virgin Australia travel voucher (reward for having a Virgin Credit Card), I was set back a minuscule amount to head to Sydney. You can set your own budget spend by choosing from a range of accommodation from budget, right through to 5 star accom.

The same for dining – choose to make your own in your apartment, a picnic at Barangaroo Reserve, choosing lower-cost options of food stalls, food trucks or opt right up to 5-star dining experiences. Much of the festival is experienced on-foot, so means it can be a whole family experience with little impact to the budget, however a long-lasting, heart-warming event, forever etched into your memory.

barangaroo-house-sydney — Make the time to drop into the fabulous dining places and bars across Sydney. Pictured - Barangaroo House

Travel Tip: People seek out alfresco, harbourside and city side restaurants to get a prime view of the festival in action, so is important to book very early as you simply are unlikely to get in, particularly if you have your heart set on a specific view or specific restaurant. We took a chance and got extremely lucky literally jagging a front row seat with view to the Opera House with some outdoor dining at the Cruise terminal. Think it was a lot of luck and good timing though! Do drop in to the beautiful local bars for afternoon drinks to soak in the amazing Sydney atmosphere before the sun sets.

7. Lights, Music, Ideas

The festival is a culmination of brilliant artists, musicians, and thinkers. You can expect to see mesmerising art displays, light projections as well as live music performances. The festival will also be home to some of the world’s greatest thinkers, so get ready to hear some thought-provoking and deep discussions. A creative or not, this festival has something for everyone.

Travel Tip – check out the events here for maps, dates and times. If you plan out your itinerary, you can maximise the fun of the festival.

8. Explore day and night

Whilst the festival comes alive at dark and in all its glory, you shall be staying in one of the world’s most favourite and glamourous cities, so be sure to make the most of your visit. Include a visit to the following places during the days :-

Bondi Beach

If you have your walking shoes on – take the Bondi to Bronte beach walk. Simply stunning coastline and good for the soul!

Queen Victoria Building

Incredibly beautiful architecture

The Rocks Markets

Open on weekends with over 200 stall holders. Fabulous place to wander and wonderful eateries in the area. Head to the heritage underground Whiskey Bar - The Doss House (it had a previous life as a bootery, boarding house and an opium den!)

Luna Park

Even if you aren’t headed inside, take a ferry across the harbour and get yourself a pic of this historic amusement park.

9. The unrivalled panoramic views are amazing

Whilst VIVID is simply stunning to see from foot, it is incredibly beautiful seen from above. Head to the Blu Bar on 36 at the Shangri-la Hotel Sydney for a signature cocktail, whilst you also drink in the uninterrupted views across the Harbour as the day ends and the cityscape lights up.

views-over-sydney — Just to be clear - this is not pictured at the Shangri-La although I have been to the Blu-Bar on 36- actually on a number of occasions. I must have been totally wrapped in the view with a few cocktails in hand, as forgot to take any pics!! Keep reading for the best hotels for prime views. (taken from the Sofitel Sydney at Darling Harbour)

If you are wanting a truly once in a lifetime experience, book a VIVID Climb across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The VIVID Sydney bridge climb runs from Thursdays to Mondays, during VIVID. They depart in the afternoon, so that by the time you reach the summit, it will in be in time to witness the city beam. Jaw dropping - An absolute must do! Am sure there are a few proposals on these climbs - Absolutely on top of the world!

Travel Tip – Book early!!! As you can imagine this climb as the sun sets is very in demand, so coincide this with your visit.

10. Weekend Getaway

The festival runs for 23 nights and if you are a Sydneysider, you will be lucky enough to venture out and see the highlights any time over this period. If you are travelling from interstate, you really need at the very least a few days and a couple of nights in Sydney to experience the festival and to see the highlights. The Festival also now has a Drone Air Show which is just spectacular. You do need to check the Vivid site to know which nights it will be held. They don’t hold the Drone Show on the last night of the festival (which is what I had thought!). Try to time your visit to include the Drone Show.

botanical-gardens-sydney — Remember to include The Royal Botanic gardens into your visit for more displays and fields of lights.

The festival now includes the longest continuous Light Walk which generally leads from the Opera House to Central Station. There are even more light canvasses included such as the Goods Line, ASN Clocktower (in The Rocks), as well as the familiar buildings of Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

For more information on where to book to capture the best views, check out Amanda’s blog - Adventures All Around . She has listed a number of hotels that are in prime viewing areas of the festival.

For more information on the variety of cruises available, check out VIVID Cruises Sydney. (as well as Groupon, if you are happy to pay up front - save $)

This is one festival that shall remain close to your heart forever. Cross this off your bucket list and get yourself to VIVID Sydney!

Cheers to your adventures, you are going to love this one!

Let there be light!

DeeLuxe :)

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Vivid Sydney - 10 Things you need to KNOW