Vivid Sydney 2021: All You Need to Know

Mark your calendars, and save the Vivid Sydney 2021 date!

The countdown has already started for the annual light, music, and ideas festival—yes, you might have spied the luminous clock at Circular Quay, just to count down to the event!

Ever since its inception in 2009, Vivid Sydney has been part of the city’s fabric as the temperature drops and the evenings are crisp rather than balmy, turning the town into a kaleidoscope of lights and sounds.

Vivid Sydney has three main elements: light, music, and ideas. If you’re overwhelmed with all fun and exciting things to do for the festival, fret not. Here are some great events you can attend.

VIVID LIGHT showcases stunning light artworks and projections that illuminate iconic Sydney landmarks and architecture at Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, and Darling Harbour. You’ll also be in awe of the life-size installations and moving sculptures!

Here are some of  the VIVID LIGHT events you should definitely check out:

If you think the Sydney Opera House is a sight to behold during regular days, then you should see it during Vivid Sydney! Every year, an artist is commissioned to transform the sails into a canvas for light projections, and this year, Sydney-based agency Curiious Studios will showcase the Martumili collective painting Yarrkalpa (Hunting Ground). 

‘Yarrkalpa (Hunting Ground)’ is visually striking and brimming with vibrant colour and energy - depicting the Parnngurr community and surrounding landscape. Watch as it skillfully captures their connection with the country, via changing seasons, traditional burning practices, regrowth, hunting as well as abstract tales.

Witness this piece of art come to life on the iconic Opera House and attend Lighting of the Sails. You’ll be in awe during the whole show!

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia or MCA is Australia's home to contemporary art, but during Vivid Sydney, the light installation New York Sunday will transform the building itself into art.

Light projections of acclaimed artist Helen Eager’s works will transform the facade of the MCA, its historic facade will be elevated into something contemporary and bold. Light projections will showcase kinetic elements and transitions that will take visual art to a new level! An original soundtrack by electropop musician Paul Mac will also accompany the projection.

Patterns in Nature is a showcase of light sculptures created by design students (overseen by two professional light and kinetic artists) from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The sculptures are based on the four elements: water, fire, earth, and air. These sculptures will be displayed at First Fleet Park as part of a greater collective installation. 

With all these stunning light installations, this definitely won’t be your ordinary walk in the park! This might even be a great date idea!

Vivid Sydney isn’t just a treat for the eyes, but also for the ears! It’s definitely best enjoyed when you’re bopping to the music with friends and family. VIVID MUSIC will showcase a slew of live musical performances from the up-and-coming and established superstars, which will be held at some famous venues as well as hidden sites and bars. Doesn’t that sound like a great way to discover Sydney’s best musical venues too?

You definitely can’t miss these musical performances:

Mildlife are a band on the rise, well respected by those in the know, and will satisfy different age groups given the quality of musicianship. Also, City Recital Hall is the perfect place for viewing and audio quality.

Presenting a mixture of chillers and floor-movers amidst acoustic and electronic instrumentation, a Mildlife show is an experience you do not want to miss!

El Gran Mono meets the Inner West Reggae Disco Machine (phew) is a Melbourne meets Sydney thing wading deeply into music from the Caribbean, Latin America with a bit of funk thrown in, but this a dancing event, unlike any other, in the beautiful surrounds of the historic Hyde Park Barracks.

This event will take place at Hyde Park Barracks - beamed out through two of the most incredible systems in the Southern Hemisphere, the dance floor will pulse as the city’s most loved DJs, MCs, dancers and live acts fly the flag for Reggae, Dancehall, Cumbia, Salsa Dura, and more.

Heaps Gay: Qweens' Ball is true Sydney experience, with the carny atmosphere of Luna Park to amp the craziness higher. Dress up and revel with the boundary-pushers.

Dust off the bedazzler, fire up those glue guns and don your elaborately spooky best then join the tango train for a creepy carnival of queer delights in this iconic location.

VIVID IDEAS is all about learning something new and getting inspiration from the world’s greatest thinkers and creatives. As the city lights up, so will your mind with all the thought-provoking thoughts and discussions. 

If you’re waiting for your lightbulb moment, you should definitely check out these talks:

If you’re a fan of the show, The Good Place, then this is a treat for you. English-born actor and advocate Jameela Jameel is stopping by (albeit virtually due to the pandemic) for Vivid Sydney, along with author and political commentator Jamila Rizvi who will be there in person to field questions. In Jameela Jamil: Body Politics, get to know their thoughts on the body and the unhealthy perceptions surrounding it. 

Briggs is a writer, singer, actor and producer who’s worked on shows like Disenchantment. Nat is a YouTube star, comedian, rock musician, isolation cooking champion and mental health ambassador. During Briggs & Nat's What I Reckon: Music, Mayhem and Masters of Some, they just might share their secrets to success. 

Do these sound fun? There are plenty more events you can’t miss during the festival. Luckily, Vivid Sydney 2021 is set for the 6th up to the 28th of August, so you have plenty of time to check everything out. 

On the lookout for other cool Vivid Sydney-themed activities and experiences? Special Vivid Sydney activities are coming real soon. Watch this space to be the first to know!