Finally we’re able to enjoy Vivid 2022 like we used to! This year it runs from May 27-June 18 and there’s a huge range of events on for all ages. To find out which of the events are perfect to take the kids to, read on.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park 0-5-years-old
Each Saturday during Vivid, a popular children’s entertainer will take the stage at Tumbalong Park from 5pm in a free concert just for the kids.
May 29: The Vegetable Plot will play “earthy roots” music with lots of fun characters and stories for the kids, while also keeping parents entertained.
June 4: Teeny Tiny Stevies are an ARIA award winning children’s music group playing folk-pop tunes that cover social messages in a fun and relatable way.
June 11: Diver City, made up of Matt Okine and Kristy Lee Peters will put on an afternoon of laughter, music and dancing while performing songs from their ARIA-award nominated albums.
June 18: Fan favourite Justine Clarke will close out Vivid Kids with her fun music and dance-along songs.
More info.
First Light All ages
Vivid’s launch event “First Light” is an acknowledgment and celebration of our First Nations culture and will include a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and a dance performance by the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA). The Harbour Bridge pylons will form a backdrop, illuminated by Sharing the Same Life Essence, which celebrates the Gadigal people and Country. Following this First Light will move from firelight to Lights On, as Vivid launches across Sydney.
Details: Friday, May 27, 5.40pm (Lights On at 6pm), Campbells Cove, Circular Quay. More info.
Night Flight All ages
Vivid and Paramount+ are teaming up to put on the largest drone light show seen in the Southern Hemisphere. A fleet of 600 LED-equipped drones will move and synchronise into huge 3D images and sequences. Spectators will recognise the superstars and characters form Paramount’s movies.
Details: Sunday, May 29, 8-8.30pm, Circular Quay. More info.
Interocular: A 3D Skateboarding Adventure 10-18-years-old
If your kid is a keen skateboarder, then they will love this immersive 3D skateboarding adventure. Using a 1950s 3D Kodak Stereo camera, photographer Dave Chami has captured the antics, skills and lifestyle of a group of friends exploring and shredding the outskirts of Sydney on their skateboards. The exhibition includes a short film from the adventure created by skateboarding videographers John Green and Cameron Sparkes accompanied by sounds and projections onto replicas of skate obstacles.
Details: 27-30 May, 6-9pm, Pass-Port Store and Gallery, 16 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst. Tickets from $8. More info.
Playground of the Unexpected 6-18-years-old
The Playground of the Unexpected features community storytelling in film, photography, art design, dance, music and drama by emerging young creatives at Bradfield Senior College. This event has two portions, an exhibition and a symposium. The exhibition is more suitable for children, featuring creative works including art, music, fashion, film and installation, live music, dance and drama performances and markets. It takes about 1-2 hours to see all parts of the exhibition.
Details: Thursday, June 2, noon-7pm, Bradfield Senior College, St Leonards. Free but registration is required. More info.
GENEXT x Vivid Ideas 12-18-year-olds
For one night only, young people are taking over the MCA in a three-hour program for 12-18-year-olds, featuring art-making, performances, live music and interactive experiences within the museum. This event is developed and delivered by the Museum of Contemporary Art Youth Committee – a diverse group of Young People aged 14-21 from all over Greater Sydney – who create programs and advocate for young people within the MCA.
Details: Saturday, June 4, 6-9pm, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks. Free. More info.
Way Finders: The Future is in Your Hands 10-12-year-olds
This event lets spectators get involved in an interactive choose-your-own adventure that aims to empower today’s kids with the knowledge they need to build a healthy, thriving planet with sustainable technology. “Get ready for a brave experiment: 2050’s citizens will use time travel to bring a group of inspired young leaders from 2022 to their future world to educate them about the urgent need to control humanity’s footprint and embrace sustainable technology, in order to save everyone’s future.” UTS’ Great Hall is transformed into a participant-led futuristic wonderland in this immersive, light-filled exploration of the future. Through real time polling and interactive games, participants actively shape this two-hour journey as they choose their own adventure. It also gives them a first-hand experience of the power of democracy through collective problem solving and decision making. This event is ideal for children in years 5 and 6.
Details: Tuesday, June 7, 11.30am-1.30pm, UTS, The Great Hall. Level 5, Tower Building, Ultimo. Tickets from $30. More info.
Vivid Sydney Games District 13-year-olds+
If you’ve got a teenager begging to be a video game designer, this is perfect for them. With many video games made right here in Sydney, this event gives attended the chance to meet the people behind top titles, play their games and hear the latest at a range of industry talks. There’s a game exhibition where attendees can chat to developers, plus there are workshops where participants are guided the journey to becoming a game developer. There are multiple sessions plus the workshops, so make sure to book in.
Details: Saturday, June 11, 9am-8.30pm. Tickets from $5. Academy of Interactive Entertainment, 33 Mountain St, Ultimo. More info.
ON DAILY, FROM MAY 27-JUNE 18; ALL AGES
Wild Lights at Taronga
Once again Taronga Zoo is being light up with large-scale animal light installations. This year, Vivid Sydney and Taronga Zoo shine a light on creating a new shared future, one in which wild species and wild spaces can make a comeback.
Details: 5.30-9.30pm, Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman. Tickets from $24.26. More info.
Circular Quay & The Rocks
Head to Circular Quay and The Rocks to see some of Sydney’s landmarks lit up in incredible colours and visions and find some more surprises a long the way. Take in the Lighting of the Sails at the Sydney Opera House, see the Harbour Bridge in all its glory and enjoy the Ken Done installation at Customs House. Grab yourself a Vivid map and start your treasure hunt. More info.
Darling Harbour
Their normal Saturday night fireworks are taking a break while “Sydney Infinity” takes over. The largest liquid and light show in Australian history has been created especially for Vivid and will be on throughout the event. Other sights to enjoy around Darlinh Harbour include the Twenty Seven, Halo and Resonance light installations. Pop into the Kia-Aura for an immersive representation of Kia’s brand ethos. More info.
Central Station
Check out Central Station for free live music and more incredible light installations and pop across the road to see the Frank Gehry designed UTS School of Business building in a whole new light. More info.
Walsh Bay
If you’re thinking of taking the kids out for a bite along Walsh Bay, then make sure to take in the light installations there too. The Ephemeral Oceanic look especially beautiful, designed in bright hues and set against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge. More info.
Barangaroo
Drop by Barangaroo and see the Wulugul Walk at Crown Sydney, immerse yourself in the Nura installation and check out the Corpi Celesti a huge installation of inflatable planets. More info.
Carriageworks
Pop in to Carriageworks in Eveleigh to see another round of lit up works of art, or grab a babysitter and enjoy some live music. More info.
These are the Vivid events that are most suitable for children, but there’s a whole heap more to check out. To find out what else is, head to their website vividsydney.com
Many roads in the CBD will be closed during these events. To find out the best way to get to Vivid, check out their “How to get there” info page.
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