Celebrating its 15th year in 2025, Vivid Sydney is Australia's largest festival of light, music ideas and food. Held from 23 May to 14 June 2025, Vivid Sydney will transform the Harbour City into an unforgettable global celebration of creativity, innovation and technology.

Responding to this year's theme, 'dreams', the world's brightest light artists, music-makers, thought leaders and food stars will ignite Sydney's celebrated venues and new spaces with their interpretation of dreams. Through cultural experiences and one-of-a-kind events, the festival will transform the city with inspired energy.

Tickets are on sale now for Vivid Sydney 2025  - see the full listing here, and keep reading for our recommendations across Vivid Music, Ideas & Food below. Your dream night awaits!

VIVID MUSIC: Soundtrack of your dreams

Tamworth to Tennessee: A Night of Cool Country
Mary's Underground
23 May

Dust off your boots, throw on your blue jeans and hitch a ride from Tamworth to Tennessee for a rollicking night of the very best country music. Your Golden Guitar-winning host, Amber Lawrence, leads this toe-tappin', heartstring-pluckin' celebration of the sounds that define the genre-from the steamy, tree-lined streets of Tamworth to the honky-tonk of Tennessee. So grab your hat, round up your crew and get ready for a night of good ol' fashioned country charm. 

Broadway's Best with Mark Humphries
Mary's Underground
29 May

Get ready for some razzle-dazzle and to break out your very best jazz-hands-it's time to celebrate the magic of Broadway with your host for the night, comedian and writer Mark Humphries. Come and enjoy the drama, the earnestness and the spectacle of it all as you hear trivia titbits and witty quips from Mark Humphries, as he outs himself as a total musical theatre tragic.

Open Mic! With Tom Cardey and Alex Lee
Mary's Underground
30 May

This is not your average open mic night! It's a talent quest where dreams take centre stage and the floor is opened to wherever the talent, and the night takes us. Whether you're a singer, poet, comedian or interpretive dancer, this is your chance to show the world what you've got. Or simply show up and soak in the spectacle and cheer loudly. With a raft of brave performers and the kind of audience that claps extra loud when someone forgets the lyrics, this is set to be a night of big talent, big dreams and a big key change or two.

Pete & Bas
Oxford Art Factory
5 June

This one's for the heads, the grandkids and everyone in between. Forget bingo nights and lawn bowls-Pete & Bas are here to show you that grime has no age limit. This Southeast London duo is known for their gritty UK drill beats, deadpan bars and a healthy dose of chaos. Starting out as local legends who picked up rap in their 70s, they've now amassed millions of global fans across TikTok, YouTube and beyond.Expect heavy basslines, mosh pits and more than a few surprises from these sharp-tongued grandpas.

VIVID IDEAS: Ideas of your dreams

Where Do Ideas Come From? Creativity Inside TIME's Cover
Sydney Town Hall
29 May

Few publications have shaped public discourse like TIME, where their visual storytelling is as impactful as the headlines and reporting themselves. In this lecture, TIME's Creative Director D.W. Pine-the man behind over 1,000 covers-takes us inside his creative process. From concept to execution, he reveals how TIME's covers are designed to reflect, provoke and challenge. 

Haus of Horror presents Edward Scissorhands
Sydney Town Hall
8 June

It's all chills and family-friendly thrills for this special screening of Tim Burton's 1990 masterpiece Edward Scissorhands. Presented by Australia's leading immersive horror brand Haus of Horror, get ready to step into the resurrected Sydney Burial Ground for a night of film, fun and frights. This historic burial ground is right in the heart of Sydney Town Hall and will be revived to its former spooky glory with a special immersive and fun-filled experience. Beyond the film screening, the evening will also include live performers, interactive photo booths, DJs and installations.

The Australian Dream? with Tim Ross
State Library of NSW, Auditorium
12 June

From the 'burbs to the bush to the inner city, Australians have long been fixated on the dream of home ownership. As housing affordability, mortgage stress and scarcity dominate our lives, is that dream still within reach?

VIVID FOOD: Dinner of your dreams

Vivid Sydney Dinner
Muru Giligu Tunnel, Martin Place
6 - 8 June

For three very special nights, global food icon Nigella Lawson invites you to an extraordinary, exclusive dining experience beneath the city, in the stunning Muru Giligu Tunnel-a brand-new underground landmark, in the Martin Place Metro station.