Vivid Sydney is the annual light, music, and ideas festival that adds bursts of colour to the city’s nightlife. The festival starts on the 6th of August and runs until the 28th as iconic landmarks and buildings are aglow with light installations throughout the city.
If you’re going to Vivid Sydney with the kids and want to make it back by bedtime, don’t fret! The city lights up as early as 6 PM, so you have plenty of time to check out the attractions. Plus, you can check out the city’s popular destinations that are open early, such as SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds, before checking out Vivid Sydney!
Want to know the best family-friendly things to do during Vivid Sydney? Here are our top picks:
- Join the Human Robot Friendship Ball
- Check out the Manta Rain Light Sculpture
- Take pictures with the Incirrata
- Join the undersea event at the Australian National Maritime Museum
- Go on a Vivid Harbour Lights Festival Cruise
- Visit the magnificent creatures at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
- Strike a pose at Madame Tussauds
- Get a bird’s eye view of all the Vivid lights from the Sydney Tower Eye
- Go on a Vivid Helicopter Flight over Sydney Harbour
1. Join the Human Robot Friendship Ball
It’s a party with robots during the Human Robot Friendship Ball. Image credits @canadabay on Instagram
Vivid Sydney celebrates ideas and innovations, and one of the most fun ways for kids to experience that is through the Human Robot Friendship Ball. Already in its fourth year this 2021, this ball has been a great hit for kids and robot enthusiasts alike. The ball showcases hands-on activities, robot demonstrations, and more!
Mark your calendars for this bot-tastic ball, scheduled for the 27th of August, 6:30-8 PM at The Event Space, The Connection, 30 Shoreline Drive, Rhodes NSW.
Book your tickets here.
2. Check out the Manta Rain Light Sculpture
Manta Rain is one of the light sculptures you should watch out for during Vivid!
Not only does Vivid Sydney light up the city buildings and landmarks, but it also features light installations that showcase the creativity and ingenuity of their creators. One of which is the Manta Rain, a kinetic light and sound sculpture inspired by manta rays, made by Renzo B. Larriviere from Peru and Paul Peña Castro from Colombia.
You and the little ones will be in awe of how the kinetic sculpture moves fluidly and organically like a real sea creature! The Manta Rain also mimics the sound of flowing water for a multi-sensory experience. Make sure to check out this installation from the 6th to the 28th of August at 6PM to 11 PM at The Rocks.
3. Take pictures with the Incirrata
Head out to Darling Harbour to check out the Incirrata, a light installation inspired by the octopus’s tentacles
Another masterfully crafted light installation you should check out during Vivid Sydney is the Incirrata, created by Australian design students Luke Turka and Gemma Ferguson. They were inspired by the octopus and created a sculpture with the illusion of the creature half-submerged in water, with only the tentacles visible. This creation is a tribute to the ocean, whose underwater ecosystem is the lifeblood of the planet.
This stunning installation is not only for gazing at in awe; it’s also great for pictures! The Incirrata is open for viewing throughout Vivid Sydney at 6 PM to 11 PM, which means you don’t have to go too late at night and still make it home before bedtime.
4. Join the Undersea event at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Enjoy the kid-friendly activities at the ANMM. Image credits @sea.museum on Instagram
On the 14th of August, at 10 AM - 4 PM, the Undersea event at the Australian National Maritime Museum will open its doors to families for a day of discovery, exploration, and ocean science! Many Vivid kids activities are prepared, such as solving fun puzzles, piloting a submarine, exploring hands-on installations, and more.
There will also be tours, exciting panel discussions, and workshops for the whole family, so make sure to drop by!
5. Go on a Vivid Harbour Lights Festival Cruise
Discover the fantastic lights festival through the Sydney waters. Image credits @vividsydney on Instagram
If you prefer a laid-back experience, the Vivid Harbour Lights Festival Cruise is an excellent Vivid Sydney activity for you!
You’ll have unmatched views of the city aglow in spectacular lights while you chill with the kids on deck. The cruise lasts for an hour, and the city lights up at 6 PM, so if you want to take the little ones home early, you can choose the 5:45 PM departure or the 7:15 PM departure.
6. Visit the magnificent creatures at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Bring the whole family to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Image credits @sealifesydneyaquarium on Instagram
Before you check out the city’s wonderful light installations during Vivid Sydney at night, how about a family day visiting the marvellous marine wildlife at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium? SEA LIFE is home to over 700 species of marine animals housed in 14 themed zones. One of the most popular zones is the Shark Walk, a gigantic aquarium filled with sharks with a tunnel you can walk through!
For a touch of Vivid Sydney, you can check out the bioluminescent jellyfish that glows inside their lava lamp-like tanks. Tip: NSW Residents can get a $25 discount when you book using your Dine & Discover NSW vouchers!
7. Strike a pose at Madame Tussauds
Strike a pose with your fave celebs and heroes at Madame Tussauds. Image credits @tussaudssydney on Instagram
Another great activity to do with your kids before the city lights up in the evening is to visit Madame Tussauds’ wax museum. Take the most creative photos with your favourite celebrities and pop culture icons, from Wolverine to Aquaman! You can also catch Aussie icons such as Ned Kelly, Kylie Minogue, and Steve Irwin.
NSW residents, Don’t forget to book tickets using your Dine and Discover NSW vouchers to get $25 off!
8. Get a bird’s eye view of all the Vivid Sydney lights from the Sydney Tower Eye
You’ll be in awe of the view of Vivid Sydney from the Sydney Tower Eye. Image credits @vividsydney on Instagram
The view from Sydney Tower Eye in daylight is already captivating; imagine how stunning it would be at night during Vivid Sydney! The tower stands at 250 metres from the ground and offers panoramic 360-degree views of the city and its iconic landmarks. These include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which will all be aglow during the festival. You and your family will have the best vantage point from up the tower!
NSW residents, this activity is also eligible for the Dine & Discover NSW vouchers, so don’t forget to use them when booking tickets to get $25 off!
9. Go on a Vivid Sydney Helicopter Flight over Sydney Harbour
Go an aerial tour of the city with the Vivid Helicopter Flight
Get an exciting flight experience, Sydney tour, and Vivid Sydney lights view in one helicopter ride! Take the kids on a fun 25-minute scenic ride on the Eurocopter EC135 helicopter and watch the whole city light up for Vivid Sydney! During the flight, you can listen to commentary about the city tour through BOSE voice-activated headsets.
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