Vivid Sydney 2025 unveils line-up, but one key lower north shore location is missing.

By ANNA USHER

In just two months, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival of light, music, ideas and food returns to our shores with five immersive zones plus a special extension on the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

And the best bit?

Seventy-five per cent of Vivid Sydney 2025 will be completely free.

“This year’s festival is helping people face the cost-of-living crisis by increasing the number of free events, which is great news if you want a good night out without blowing the budget,” Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said.

Scaling back paid-ticket areas this year, the “Light Walk” runs from Circular Quay through Walsh Bay and Barangaroo to Darling Harbour, will be free for Sydneysiders.

Alongside them, there will be attractions in Martin Place and the CBD, in Surry Hills and the Ultimo Goods Line.

On this side of the harbour, residents can enjoy Stranger Things: The Experience, which will debut at Luna Park, transporting fans of the Netflix series to the township of Hawkins, Indiana, circa 1986.

But this year, Taronga Zoo will not participate.

Mosman Collective can confirm the popular “Wild Lights” exhibit has been shelved for 2025.

“Taronga has made the decision to not present Wild Lights while we take stock of our creative offering, while still furthering Taronga’s commitment to a shared future for wildlife and people,” a spokesperson said.

The zoo has been a Vivid Sydney favourite since 2016 when it was lit up for the first time as part of Centenary celebrations. Since then, it has welcomed over 500,000 guests through the light walk.

Also shelved are paid events from 2024, including the Dark Spectrum light journey inside abandoned Wynyard Train tunnels and Lightscape at The Royal Botanical Gardens.

The drone show has also been cancelled, with organisers citing safety concerns from overcrowding.

Chaos unfolded at Circular Quay last year when thousands of people crammed onto the harbour foreshore to watch the drone show.

Spectators criticised the festival’s lack of crowd control after people became trapped, forcing police to remove surrounding barriers.

Despite that, organisers are still anticipating huge crowds again this year.

“Vivid Sydney continues to find exciting new ways and places to bring colour, creativity and fun to our city,” Minister Graham said.

“From surprising outdoor dining experiences to artistic light projections on our most famous landmarks and big free live shows in Tumbalong Park – Vivid Sydney has something for everyone whether you’re a visitor or a local.”

Details:

Vivid is set to illuminate Sydney across 23 dazzling nights from Wednesday, May 23, to Wednesday, June 14, 2025. The lights switch on at 6 pm every night and turn off at 11 pm.