Introduction
Vivid Sydney is the largest arts event in Sydney, splashing lights, art, music, and talks across the city. It had grown larger every year since its 2009 inception, until Covid-19 made it go dark in 2020. It was set to return in 2021, but the Delta outbreak caused a second cancellation. Finally, Vivid is back in 2022! It runs May 27 – June 18.
With that time off, I’m sure there are many newcomers to Sydney who can’t wait for lights on. Or, your little people are now old enough to experience their first Vivid. Perhaps you can just use a refresher on this mammoth festival. With that in mind, I have compiled this 2022 guide for Vivid with kids. I’ve based this on years of attendance with kids and what we know, so far, about how this year’s festival is shaping up.
Once the festival opens, I’ll do my best to continue to update this space with anything new we’ve learned. You can also find our Vivid chronicles on Facebook and Instagram.
Where to Begin
Vivid is a huge festival, that runs across many different locations and has numerous component events. You can do as much or as little as you’d like to “do Vivid.” For this guide, I am primarily focusing on the outdoor lights events, which are on every night and, generally, don’t require pre-booking.
Your ultimate guide to all things Vivid Sydney is the official website. You can search and sort by criteria such as location, access, date, and event type.
General Tips for Vivid With Kids
Below, I go into more detail regarding visiting specific locations, but first, here are some general tips for nights out at Vivid Sydney with kids. I have compiled these after several years of attending with children from babies to school age. Attendance may be smaller this year than in year’s past, as people are more crowd averse and we won’t have as much international travel. Still, I would expect large numbers of people, particularly on weekends.
- Break it up into bite-size bits. Give yourself time to enjoy each area by not overloading yourself. Kids, in particular, can only manage so much before they hit the wall, especially at night. And, don’t feel like you need to see everything! (Suggested itineraries below)
- For the busiest precincts – Circular Quay, especially – consider baby wearing, if you have very little ones. Vivid is good about accessibility, but it can be a challenge to manage a pram in the crowds. And, if you have toddlers who can walk some, they may eventually get overwhelmed and be happy to be held close in a carrier.
- Prepare your kids for separation ahead of time. Oh my goodness, I hope this does not happen to any of you(!!), but better it’s so much better safe than sorry. With so many literal shiny things, interactive installations, lots of people, and it being dark at night, it is wise to be prepared for losing track of each other.
- Write your phone number on your child’s arm in Sharpie.
- If they are old enough to talk, make sure they know your first name.
- Take a photo of them in the outfit they’re wearing before you leave home.
- Let them know not to leave the area they are in if they can’t see you, but rather to tell the nearest Vivid worker in uniform (most interactive installations will have at least one attendant) or uniformed police officer or medical attendant.
- Pack light, but make sure that you have enough clothes to keep everyone warm on the cold nights.
- Eat first. To each their own, of course, but for me, I do find that the restaurants near the main precincts tend to be packed just before lights on, and managing a picnic is just not realistic. If logistics allow, I much prefer to feed the family first, then head out.
- Public transport is a great option for most destinations, but plan ahead and be sure that you leave yourself plenty of time to catch return buses/trains/ferries. Have an alternate plan of return, particularly if you’re taking a ferry from Circular Quay on a busy night.
- The best bet for avoiding the largest crowds is to go:
- Weeknights
- When it is a bit rainy (you probably don’t want to go in a torrential downpour, but if you don’t mind a little drizzle, pack an umbrella, and you’ll be rewarded with much smaller crowds)
- If possible, don’t go on the Queen’s Birthday weekend – June 10 – 13, as there will be more people on holiday and in from out of town.
Possible Itineraries
There is no “right” way to do Vivid or need to see everything. Especially with kids, the nights can get to be a lot. I outline information about the major precincts below, and suggest the following itineraries for what you might reasonably manage in one night:
- Circular Quay and The Rocks
- Darling Harbour (including Darling Quarter and Darling Square) and The Goods Line
- Barangaroo and Walsh Bay
- Taronga Zoo
For this guide, I haven’t explored other ways of doing Vivid, such as Harbour cruises (have done, didn’t love, but that’s just me) or staying overnight in the city.
Precincts
Circular Quay and The Rocks
Lights on 6p.m.
When one thinks of Vivid Sydney, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is Circular Quay. The projections on the sails of the Opera House are iconic, and the area is always a hub of fascinating light displays.
2022 Light Highlights – There’s a lot going on in this district. It will definitely make a full night! See the full light lineup here. Hard to pick, but I’m most excited about seeing:
- The Lighting of the Sails – “Curiious will bring to life the stunning Martumili collective painting Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, Parnngurr Area 2013 across the spectacular sails, extending the Martu Artists’ stories beyond the walls of a gallery.” The best viewing is across the water from near the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- For Sydney With Love – “A master of colour, Ken captures the joy of Sydney like no other artist and this vibrant animation projected onto Customs House shows how his beloved city informs all his work. It is a story of optimism, colour, and sheer delight.“
- Crosswalk This Way – The interactive pieces are always fun for kids, and this one sounds like it will get them moving. “Covid has taught us that there can be better ways of doing things. Sometimes, we need to snap out of our routines and find an alternate route. Playing with this notion, the light artists have reimagined the familiar ‘don’t walk / walk’ instructions of pedestrian crosswalks to introduce new suggestions that are much more fun.“
- If you can be there on Sunday, 29 May, there is a spectacular drone show happening at 8p.m. Night Flight is “a fleet of 600 perfectly choreographed LED-equipped drones shape shift and synchronise into enormous 3D images and sequences. Through swarm dynamics and SKYMAGIC’s wizardry, you’ll recognise superstars and characters from Paramount’s movies and entertainment as the drones fly in illuminated formations.” It will also be streamed live on the Vivid Sydney Facebook page.
Navigating: The displays in this district make what you might call an “L” shape, with the top being Dawes Point, down past the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the MCA, and around to the ferry terminals (including Customs House and behind the Gateway). There are no displays on the Opera House side. You’ll want to begin at one one of the “L” and end at the other to see everything.
How to get there: Trains, buses, ferries, or light rail. If driving, be sure to pre-book parking (Wislon lots – Sydney Opera House, Gateway, 155 George Street, and Quay West are all nearby.)
Darling Harbour
Lights on 6p.m.
Darling Harbour (including Darling Quarter and Darling Square) has historically been the most family-friendly Vivid district. This is where you’ll find the largest number of interactive pieces.
2022 Highlights: A few that look particularly kid-friendly:
- Temple of Joy – Darling Quarter. “This immersive artwork is a homage to Sydney’s dance party scene and an ode to the joy and happiness it fosters in revellers. It is as much a shrine to the empty dance floors of our city that have been shut down over the past few years as a paean of hope for their future. “
- Tomorrow’s Blossoming – Darling Square. “Like a meadow in bloom, this mass installation of light flowers is comprised of beautifully intricate blossoms designed with the input of hundreds of Sydney primary school students.”
- Checkmate – Darling Harbour. Amigo & Amigo’s glowing inflatables are a wild spin on chess. “This poetic and strategic game uses beautifully crafted ‘mini sculptures’, each with their own set of rules and movements, in a bid to capture an opponent’s King.”
Navigating: It looks like this year, most of the action is around Darling Quarter and Darling Square, with projections that can be seen from walking around to the Darling Harbour section. So, my preference is going to be to begin at Darling Square, walk over to Tumbalong Park (where I expect we’ll spend most of our time), then past the playground around to the Harbour part of the district.
How to get there: If you drive, the Darling Quarter Wilson is extremely convenient to Tumbalong Park and the Darling Square Wilson parking is also a good option. 1 Dixon Street car park is also nearby.
I tend to find the public transport to Darling the Darling Harbour/Quarter area a little lacking. If you’re coming with little people and public transport, I recommend planning your return trip carefully, as it’s no fun trekking to trains and buses with overtired little people (I speak from experience!). Have a look at the Darling Quarter site for full options on all forms of public transportation.
Central Station and The Goods Line
Lights on 6p.m.
DJs on The Goods Line from 6p.m.
Music at Central – from 7p.m. on Saturdays
A new location for Vivid, The Good Lines and Central Station are positioned as a music and lights experience.
2022 Highlights:
- DJs at The Goods Line – Starting at 6p.m. each evening, DJs will be spinning “funk, soul, Latin, indie, house, electro, disco, jump jive, roots, rock, alt-country, Americana, K-Pop, Bollywood, electronica, Afrobeat, reggae, gypsy, Balkan, RnB, salsa, blues, hip hop and more… all reflecting the vibrant and diverse communities that call Greater Sydney home.” This sounds like the perfect accompaniment to exploring the light installations. (Full lineup here)
- Convergance: “This year, the unused Goods Line tunnel – a space that is largely unknown and alien to even the most well-travelled Sydneysider – becomes a portal to a spectacular convergence of lights, lasers and smoke effects that will leave guests wondering where the tunnel leads and what they’ll discover as they journey deeper underground.” I do wonder if this one might be scary for little people, but will certainly be something cool for older kids.
Navigating: If your family is extra keen on having a dance party, you might make a bit of a chill evening out of this. Or, on a warmer night, you could pack a meal for a night-picnic on The Goods Line. But, it’s probably not a whole night’s experience in and of itself. The Goods Line begins at Central and ends at Darling Harbour, so you could make it the start (or end) of your Darling Harbour night out. There is music at Central station from 7p.m. on Saturday nights, as well.
How to Get There: Start at Darling Harbour (see above) or start on the Central Station end by train or bus.
Barangaroo
Lights on 6p.m.
Another small precinct, this area should be especially family friendly, pram-accessible, and could easily be combined with Walsh Bay.
2022 Highlights:
There are 4 installations in this precinct.
- The Gallery, outside the Crown, is “a stunning visual gallery of light projections featuring First Nations and emerging artists from local Western Sydney.“
- Chronoharp is an “innovative instrument beckons all to take part in its immersive light music.“
- In Corpi Celesti, “you walk through the bright inflatable planets of our solar system.“
- Nura is a “mass installation of 150 colour-changing light pillars in Barangaroo Reserve presents a contemporary imagining of dendroglyphs, designs carved in the bark of living trees.”
Navigating: The first 3 installations listed above are all close to each other on the Wulugul Walk, near the Crown. Continue on the path towards the Harbour to reach Nura.
How to Get There: If driving, there is a Wilson car park under Barangaroo (“Barangaroo Reserve”). Visit Barangaroo’s information page for full details on public transport, as well as walking and cycling directions.
Walsh Bay
Lights on at 6p.m.
Continue on from Barangaroo on the Wulungul Walk (about a 10 minute walk) to Walsh Bay.
2022 Highlights: There are three installations at Walsh Bay. From what I can see – bring the kids and your camera!
- Ephemeral Oceanic: “Bubbles! Bubbles! Everywhere! Step onto a floating boardwalk that weaves between 150 larger-than-life illuminated spheres and experience the pure joy of effervescence. It’s as if Walsh Bay has been transformed into a giant bubble bath. “
- Light Sentinels: “Lining the edge of Walsh Bay, colourful beacons fend off darkness by seeding optimism and casting ‘enlightenment’ on all around them. “
- Celestial: “As a highly polished planetary sphere reflects its surroundings, you are taken into its orbit. Inspiring ideas of unity and interconnectedness, this playful installation prompts conversation and contemplation beneath its saturated neon glow.“
Navigating: If approaching from Barangaroo, Light Sentinels and Celestial are near the third wharf (near Sydney Theatre Company) and Ephemeral Ocean is near the last wharf, in the bay between the wharf and Dawes Point.
How to Get There: Walk from other installations at Barangaroo or Dawes Point. Or, park at Wilson Barangaroo Point or Bond One. The nearest train station is Circular Quay, which is a 15-minute walk. The 324 and 325 buses stop nearby.
Taronga Zoo
Ticketed sessions begin at 5:30p.m.
Runs Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as public holiday Monday 13 June.
Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo is the only ticketed and paid event I am featuring here. It is particularly family-friendly and interesting to kids. Prams are no problem. My family has gone every year that this event has taken place, and it is a must-do on our Vivid calendar.
2022 Highlights: Animal lanterns from 14 different species, which have been displayed in years past, will be back again this year. There will also be “three, never seen before, purpose built, inclusive installations” on the theme “Where Nature Shines.”
Navigating: There are two entry times – 5:30p.m. and 7:30p.m. Booking ahead is essential. Once inside, you follow a set, one directional path that will take you around all of the light exhibits. Taronga estimates that it will take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Note – you will not see any of Taronga’s real-life animals during this experience.
There is an option to add a ride on the Sky Safari for $5 each (children under 4 are free).
Food stalls are available.
If you have Dine & Discover or Parent vouchers left, they may be used towards the Wild Lights admission price (option available in the booking link).
How to Get There: If driving, park at the Taronga Zoo car park (entry after 4:30p.m. is half price of the usual $22 full day parking price). It is also often possible to find free street parking in the neighboring residential streets, but it will be busy on these nights.
The public transportation option is to arrive by ferry from Circular Quay (there is a bus from the ferry wharf that brings you to the top entrance of the zoo).
Just For Kids
For the first time in Vivid history, a children’s lineup is part of the festival. Each Saturday night during the festival, come along to Tumbalong Park (Darling Harbour) at 5p.m. for a free family concert. The lineup is:
Saturday 28 May – The Vegetable Plot
(Read our review of their album, Season One, here)
Saturday 4 June – Teeny Tiny Stevies
(Read our review of their album, Helpful Songs for Little People, here)
Sunday June 11 – Diver City
Matt Okine and KLP make your kids dance.
Saturday 18 June – Justine Clarke
… who needs no introduction.