Vivid Festival Sydney 2025 is all set to illuminate the city of Australia once again this year! The iconic festival will transform the city into a dazzling playground for 23 nights using light, music, and creative ideas.
The breathtaking art installations, immersive 3D light projections, live music, and unforgettable food experiences will give the city a buzz of energy and excitement. In addition to being a visual spectacle, Vivid Sydney offers a golden opportunity for local businesses to shine and thrive.
Are you ready for this and well-prepared for everything?
This article will introduce key information about Vivid Sydney 2025 and explain how you can join this event to boost your business, for instance, by investing in a portable electric generator or a quiet generator to keep your operations running smoothly without disrupting the ambience!
Vivid Festival Sydney 2025: A Quick Overview
Vivid Sydney 2025: Key Information
Vivid Sydney 2025 is Australia’s largest festival that celebrates light, music, creative thinking, and food. The festival will illuminate the city from Friday, 23 May, to Saturday, 14 June 2025.
This year’s theme, “Dream,” invites attendees to explore creativity without limits at multiple locations around the city. The free public event encourages imagination and diverse thinking, welcoming people from all across the globe to unite and experience the city in a different light.
Focuses of Vivid Sydney 2025
Vivid Festival Sydney 2025 will attract global visitors by focusing on four key elements: Light, Music, Ideas, and Food.
Light:
The biggest highlight is the Vivid Lights Sydney. The Vivid Light Walk offers a free, self-guided tour, allowing visitors to get mesmerised by light installations and projections.
The lights at the festival will illuminate iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, using world-class animation and projection technology. Highlights include Kiss of Light (2025) by David McDiarmid on the Opera House sails, King Dingo by Vincent Namatjira at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and House of Romance on Customs House.
Visitors can interact with immersive installations such as voice-activated animations, seesaws, swings, and 3D self-portraits by Moment Factory.
Music:
The Vivid Music program features a diverse lineup of local and international artists. Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House will be headlined by Icelandic rockers Sigur Rós and Beth Gibbons from Portishead.
Free concerts will light up Vivid Sydney Darling Harbour every night with Tumbalong Nights, a 23-evening live music program. It will feature global sensations like Stella Jang (South Korea) and Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast).
Ideas:
Vivid Ideas at the festival will feature engaging talks, panels, and workshops. Highlights include TIME Magazine’s Creative Director D.W. Pine exploring the origin of ideas and Professor Matthew Walker discussing the science of sleep. All these sessions perfectly fit the festival’s “Dream” theme.
Food:
The Vivid Food series includes curated dining experiences, with celebrity chef Nigella Lawson hosting exclusive dinners and events like the Vivid Fire Kitchen showcasing culinary innovation. With over 75% of the program being free, Vivid Festival Sydney 2025 will offer an accessible and unforgettable experience for all visitors.
Data from Vivid Sydney 2024: Why Vivid Sydney 2025 will be a big moment?
Vivid Festival Sydney 2025 is expected to be a significant event for businesses, especially after the outstanding outcomes of the 2024 festival.
The 2024 festival attracted 2.42 million visitors, making it the third-largest event in the history of festivals. The opening night alone drew a record-breaking 142,000 visitors.
The economic impact of last year’s festival was substantial. The visitors spent around $180.2 million during the festival. About 85% of attendees purchased food and beverages, highlighting the direct benefit of Vivid Festival Sydney to local businesses.
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program played a crucial role in helping local businesses attract more customers. Around 201 businesses participated in the festival by offering special experiences, menus, packages, and tours. This initiative provided businesses with increased visibility and customer engagement during the festival period.
The upcoming Vivid Sydney schedule from 23 May to 14 June 2025 offers a perfect opportunity for businesses to expand their reach and take advantage of the crowds coming to the city.
By engaging with the festival through tailored offerings and participation in official programs, businesses can not only enjoy significant economic benefits but can also increase their brand exposure.
How Can Your Business Involved in Vivid Sydney? Join the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program!
Vivid Festival Sydney 2025 offers a vibrant platform for businesses to showcase their offerings to a diverse audience. Here is how you can become a part of this lively event:
Who Can Participate?
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program is open to a variety of businesses, including:
- Retailers
- Restaurants and Cafes
- Bars and Pubs
- Hotels and Accommodation Providers
- Cruise Operators
- Building Owners
If your business is located within the Vivid Sydney footprint, you can apply to participate in this exciting event. You may visit the following websites for more details:
- https://www.vividsydney.com/local-business-program
- https://www.vividsydney.com/info/local-business-program/terms-and-conditions
- https://www.vividsydney.com/info/contact-us/frequently-asked-questions
How To Apply?
To join the program, complete the online registration form available here: https://destinationnsw.tfaforms.net/f/local-business-program-2025.
The program offers three tiers of participation:
- Tier 1: For businesses within the Vivid Sydney boundary wishing to highlight their products and services.
- Tier 2: For cruise operators interested in illuminating their vessels.
- Tier 3: For businesses aiming to light up their building facades.
Each tier has specific requirements and benefits, allowing businesses to choose the level of involvement that suits them best.
Q: How The Local Business Program Works?
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program is designed to integrate local businesses into the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, enhancing the overall visitor experience and promoting the city’s nighttime economy. By participating, businesses can showcase their offerings to a broad audience, benefiting from the increased foot traffic and visibility during the festival period.
Key Features:
- Showcase Your Business: Highlight your signature products or services without needing a Vivid-specific activation. The focus is on what your business already does best.
- Promotional Support: Selected businesses receive promotional assets, including window decals and digital toolkits, to attract customers and signify participation in the festival.
- Community Engagement: Emphasise how your business supports the local community and contributes to the festival’s dynamic environment.
Participation Requirements:
- Operating Hours: Businesses must operate nightly from 6 PM to 11 PM throughout the festival duration (23 May to 14 June 2025).
- Location: Your business should be within the designated Vivid Sydney boundary.
- Registration: A valid Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), or international equivalent is required.
By aligning with the theme of the Vivid Festival Sydney and operating within these guidelines, your business can enhance its visibility and connect with a diverse audience.
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.vividsydney.com/local-business-program.
Example: Food Businesses
Food establishments have unique opportunities to participate through Vivid Food, which celebrates Sydney’s culinary scene. Restaurants, chefs, and food creatives can propose innovative food events that align with the festival’s themes.
These events should be exclusive to Vivid Sydney and offer immersive experiences that combine food with elements of light, music, or ideas. If you are interested, you can acquire updates and reminders for upcoming Vivid Sydney Expressions of Interest through the following website: https://www.vividsydney.com/info/work-with-us.
Requirements For Your Businesses:
To participate, businesses should:
- Be located within the Vivid Sydney footprint.
- Be willing to extend operating hours during the festival.
- Provide high-quality images and descriptions of their offerings.
- Ensure their proposed activities align with Vivid Sydney’s creative direction.
Additional requirements may apply depending on the tier of participation. For more information, visit the following website: https://www.vividsydney.com/local-business-program.
How To Make A Big Business Success During The Event?
Here is how you can make your business enjoy success during the Vivid Festival Sydney 2025:
Align with the Theme
Vivid Festival Sydney 2025’s theme is “Dream”, which means your products, displays, and services should reflect creativity and imagination.
This could be through dreamy lighting, themed menu items, or artistic window displays. But always keep your brand identity clear. Let customers recognise your business while enjoying the festival vibe.
Boost Your Marketing Efforts
Use the Vivid Sydney schedule (23 May–14 June 2025) to time your promotions. You can also advertise your participation on social media, your website, and local listings.
Moreover, use visuals that match the overall vibe of the Vivid Festival 2025—bright, creative, and engaging.
Last but not least, share behind-the-scenes content, special offers, and extended hours on social media. Use Vivid Sydney hashtags and geotags to increase reach.
Prepare Your Business for High-Foot Traffic
Expect more people in and around your business location. Make sure your staff is trained and ready for peak hours. Stock up on best-selling items or adjust menus for fast service.
Place extra signage at strategic locations to guide customers inside. If possible, consider setting up extra seating or takeaway counters.
Invest in the Right Technology and Equipment
Reliable technology is crucial during high-traffic events, and Vivid Festival Sydney is no exception.
So, here is what you should do: ensure your Wi-Fi is robust, upgrade payment systems for contactless transactions, and consider backup power solutions to prevent service interruptions.
Also, digital tools like QR menus can significantly improve customer experience and make things smoother.
Power Up Your Business During Vivid Festival Sydney 2025
During Vivid Festival Sydney, reliable and portable power solutions are essential for businesses preparing for extended hours, outdoor setups, and uninterrupted service.
Whether you are lighting up a cafe, powering a food truck, or keeping your systems running during peak traffic, power stations can significantly help make things convenient and quick, but you must invest in a reliable product from a reputable brand.
Jackery—a global leader in portable solar energy solutions—offers cutting-edge options designed for performance, portability, and sustainability. Here is a quick look at two of Jackery’s most powerful generators that can help ensure your business runs smoothly during the festival.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is a compact powerhouse tailored for mobile or temporary setups during emergencies and events like Vivid Festival Sydney.
Weighing just 10.8 kg, its power station is built for portability and convenience. It features a foldable handle and a slim design that fits easily in a car trunk or under a counter.
This generator delivers 1,500 W of output power (3,000 W surge), enough to handle essential equipment like lights, speakers, and small cooking appliances.
One of the standout features is its Emergency Super Charging Mode. It can be fully charged from 0 to 100% in just 59 minutes via the app.
It also offers smart app control to monitor energy use and a UPS feature with ≤20ms seamless power switching, perfect for protecting sensitive devices during voltage dips or outages.
Whether you need to power a food stall, a pop-up shop, or extra lighting, the Jackery solar generator 1000 v2 is a trusted power source to keep your operations bright and connected.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
If your business requires a more robust solution, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a recommended pick.
With a base 2 kWh capacity expandable up to a whopping 12 kWh, it is ideal for businesses looking to maintain operations for multiple days or heavy traffic—especially useful for continuous power needs during the Vivid Sydney schedule. It can power more devices simultaneously and for a longer time.
It is built with ChargeShield Technology, offering 62 layers of safety protection and full FCC/CE and UL certifications. Its compact LFP battery structure facilitates easy setup. Additionally, it supports whisper-quiet, emission-free operation, making it ideal for use in public or noise-sensitive areas.
Whether you are running high-energy setups or need backup power for refrigeration, lighting, and digital equipment, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a perfect option. It provides reliable performance with eco-friendly solar charging and pass-through capability, meaning you can use and charge the generator at the same time.
Concluding Thoughts
Powering your business during Vivid Festival Sydney 2025 is key to making the most of the city’s biggest creative event. With large crowds and extended hours, reliable energy matters more than ever.
Jackery solar generators offer portable, eco-friendly, and high-performance solutions to keep your operations running smoothly. Stay lit, stay connected, and let your business shine brighter throughout the entire festival!
References:
[1] https://www.vividsydney.com/blog/first-timers-guide-vivid-sydney
[2] https://www.sydneytravelguide.com.au/vivid-sydney-2025-program/
[3] https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/newsroom/vivid-sydney-2025-program-revealed
[4] https://www.micemag.com/vivid-sydney-2024-a-boost-for-local-businesses/
[5]https://www.neonmarketplace.nsw.gov.au/opportunity/nd/vivid-sydney-2025-local-business-program
[6] https://www.vividsydney.com/apply/expressions-of-interest/food