The 10th instalment treats visitors to an electrifying line-up of light exhibitions at the harbour and Customs House
The world’s grandest light festival attracted a whopping 2.33 million visitors in Sydney last year, and as it reaches its 10-year mark in 2018, it certainly doesn’t look like the numbers will fall. In fact, Vivid Sydney 2018 returns bigger and brighter, showcasing an invigorating range of bedazzling lights, high-energy music and the highest forms of human creativity over a span of 23 days. Until 16 June, the festival will conquer landmarks such as Barangaroo, Circular Quay & The Rocks, Chatswood, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Luna Park, Taronga Zoo and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney with installations helmed by Australian and New South Wales artistes.
With an endless list of exhibitions to look out for, we’ve picked the best five landmarks that will promise you the festival’s most visually-arresting shows – whether you’re flying to Sydney this weekend or are already staying in the city.
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Darling Harbour
Water fountains, lights and lasers will be executed in the most superlative form at Darling Harbour this year. The ambience will have you feel as if you’re taking a deep dive under a sea full of mind-boggling lights.
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Sydney Harbour Bridge
It’s not difficult to see why the eagerly anticipated Sydney Harbour Bridge will be one of the most Instagram-worthy spots this year. Decked with vivid lights from one end to the other, the bridge (specifically the southern pylon) will also serve as a stage for Eora – Dark Emu, an intriguing dance performance inspired by Aboriginal histories.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjjpgE5AxvB/?taken-by=vividsydney
Sydney Opera House
Yes, the Sydney Opera House is charming on its own with its distinctive architecture. But be prepared to witness the landmark in a new light (pun intended). Called Lighting of the Sails, the Sydney Opera House will be bathed in a series of digital facades, becoming a marvel of a sculpture that will have you hypnotised.
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Luna Park Sydney
This is the first time that the festival extends to a new precinct — Luna Park Sydney. Here, a large-scale projection will be reflected on the facade of Coney Island theme park, with its iconic Ferris Wheel decked in a glitzy array of LED lights.
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Australian National Maritime Museum
An outdoor movie screening never loses its charm, what more if it’s held at the rooftop of Australian National Maritime Museum. Not only will you be treated to spectacular panoramas of the surrounding city skyline, the rooftop will also be projected with BBC Earth and Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the realm of marine wildlife.
