Throwback to Vivid Festival, Sydney in 2012
Sydney - Australia
Vivid Festival 2012
Relive a visual display of the enchanting festival of light, music and art.
I stand captivated with crowds around me. The sound of clicking cameras is somewhat drowned by the music. Although it is the dark of night I am surrounded by light. Illuminated pieces of art are placed strategically around Circular Quay.
A kaleidoscope of colourful images flow on a canvas of historic or contemporary architecture. A story unfolds on the Opera House. I watch for a while. Briefly distracted, another one captivates my attention across the bay. I watch that for some time too.
It is difficult to walk away from one display of the Vivid Festival, and yet so easy to be preoccupied by another. It is like sitting around a pile of presents under a Christmas tree. Each one fascinating.
Eventually I meander to Customs House. I stand there for ages, immersed like a child reading a progressive fairy tale. Mesmerized by technology used to create a digital tale for children and adults alike, I scrutinize the detailed theatrical display...
Customs House illuminated
My travels to Australia of a few years ago included being entertained by the Vivid Festival one evening. I also exploring Sydney and its suburbs on foot. Darling Harbour has a hidden gem - a serene Chinese Garden of Friendship. I ventured further on a day trip to Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains.
Get Your Guide will provide you with one of the best experiences to see Vivid Sydney
What is Vivid Sydney?
Vivid Sydney is a sensual festival, a display of light, music and art. Urban spaces around the inner city of Sydney such as the Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, Circular Quay, The Rocks, and Darling Harbour are lit up with technological 3D art and light installations. It is the largest festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Destination NSW, together with major events agencies promote and manage the festival, a Green Power accredited renewable energy initiative to encourage global travel and tourism.
The major show pieces are light sculptures and multimedia interactive projections. Artists, designers, architects and engineers worked together to transform the city of Sydney into a creative magical experience.
When is the Vivid Festival?
The festival began in 2009 and is held annually over the period of three weeks, usually in May and June from 6pm each night. Unfortunately 2020 & 2021 Vivid Sydney had to be cancelled due to COVID.
Once again the lights are on for Vivid Sydney in 2022.
Is there an entrance or admittance fee for Vivid Sydney?
There is no admittance fee for the Vivid Light Walk. Tickets need to be purchased for Music and Ideas events, and to Vivid Sydney events at Taronga Zoo.
For further information look at Vivid Sydney’s website and its Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.
Find flights to Sydney through Aviasales
Did you know?
Sydney is Australia’s creative industries hub and powerhouse of Asia-Pacific.
Businesses working or involved in the Vivid Festival: Design, visual arts, lighting, architecture, music, advertising, radio, television, electronic games, performing arts and publishing.
Approximately 150 000 people from the above industries work before, during and after the Sydney festival.
It was developed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government to promote tourism and travel to Sydney.
Over the last few years Australia’s worldwide tourism sector has been given a boost because Vivid Sydney was such a global success.
Through the proficiency of 3D mapping and sound, images are projected on buildings such as Customs House, Sydney Opera house and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Electric Canvas, an innovative and dynamic Australian company, used immersive, theatrical projections of large format filmstrip as well as high power digital projection techniques in 2012.
UK’s Guardian newspaper voted Vivid Sydney as one of the Top Ten Ideas Festival.
Vivid Sydney was recently recognised and highly accoladed by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA). It received 21 accolades at the 2018 IFEA Pinnacle Awards including a Gold placing the Grand Pinnacle category.
The Australian Event Awards voted Vivid Sydney as Australia’s Best Event in 2013 and Best Tourism Event in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, Australia’s Best Tourism Event and Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event in 2017 and Best Tourism Event in 2018.
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A short video clip of one of the projections at the Vivid Festival:
I hope this throwback to the Vivid Festival in 2012 will inspire you to travel to Sydney for the next spectacular display. Don’t forget your camera, or at the very least your cell phone.
Related blog posts:
Finding serenity, a Lotus pond and a Teahouse in a Chinese Garden in Sydney
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About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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I think we would be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t like butterflies. Who wouldn’t be enchanted?
Beautiful, fragile and gentle, flitting from bloom to bloom.