Sydney’s hypnotic festival of lights and music is back, and Vivid 2025 promises to be a more colourful affair than ever. Running for 23 nights from Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June, Vivid Sydney features family-friendly installations and activities that children and adults can all enjoy. Here are the top Vivid Festival events for families in 2025.
Vivid Sydney bares the soul of our city through creativity, curiosity and change. For 23 days, the festival will connect our city to light artists, music makers, brilliant thinkers and all creatives. Seek change. Spark a new idea. Shine with Vivid Sydney.
If you’re looking to take the kids to Vivid Sydney in 2025, be sure to take a look at our recommendations for the very best family-friendly Vivid events:
- Starscape Tunnel, Darling Harbour
- Vivid Light Walk, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Martin Place
- Vivid Sound Walk, Circular Quay
- GLOW, Sydney Zoo
- Luna Park in the Dark, Luna Park
- Vivid Kids @ Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
- Fireplaces @ Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
- Vivid Cruise with Captain Cook Cruise
If you’re concerned about how to do the Vivid Festival with kids, be sure to read our 10 tips to keep children safe at Vivid Sydney.
Best Vivid Sydney Events for families on the North Shore
1. Luna Park in the Dark
Back for its third year, Luna Park in the Dark is a fan-favourite event that promises a night like no other. From 6pm, the sparkling Park lights are switched off, transforming Luna Park into a breathtaking, glowing spectacle.
Families can enjoy the thrill of unlimited rides beneath the night sky, be mesmerised by dazzling light-up carnival performers, and experience an exclusive new attraction—available only to Luna Park in the Dark guests (details coming soon!).
It’s a one-of-a-kind after-dark adventure not to be missed.
- Address: Luna Park, Milsons Point
- Cost:$60 per ticket
- When: Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June, 6pm
- Website: tickets.lunaparksydney.com
Best Vivid Sydney Events for families in the Sydney CBD
2. Vivid Light Walk
Vivid Light Walk
There are plenty of free installations that are just perfect for kids. Take a Light Walk from Barangaroo to Darling Harbour and enjoy:
- Fly to the Moon – Barangaroo Reserve: Start your evening at Barangaroo Reserve, where a giant glowing moon invites you to swing beneath its luminous glow. This interactive installation offers a dreamy photo opportunity and a playful start to your adventure.
- Drawn in Light – Darling Harbour Reflection Ponds: Next, head to Darling Harbour to see Drawn in Light, a sculpture resembling a child’s mobile. This floating chandelier of hand-drawn objects sways gently in the breeze, creating a mesmerising display that captures the imagination.
- Curiosity – Tumbalong Park: Continue to Tumbalong Park to experience Curiosity, a series of six seesaws inspired by surrealist art. Each seesaw features an eye-shaped sculpture that watches as you rock, producing unique sounds and lights, a delightful blend of play and art.
- The Cloud Swing – Darling Quarter Village Green: Just a short walk away, discover The Cloud Swing, where glowing cloud-like structures float above swings. As you swing, the clouds burst into colour, responding to your movement with dynamic light patterns.
- Flowers’ Power – Martin Place: Finally, make your way to Martin Place to see Flowers’ Power, a surreal garden of nine enormous mirrored flowers. Illuminated by shifting beams, these cartoon-like blooms scatter vibrant reflections and shadows, transforming the urban landscape into a field of wonder.
- Address: Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Martin Place
- When: Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June
- Cost: Free
3. Vivid Sound Walk
Vivid Sound Walk
For one night only, the Pitt Street end of the iconic Angel Place laneway will be transformed into a spectacular light and sound experience, free for all ages.
Designed by Australian illumination specialists Mandylights, Sound Walk will bring Angel Place to life with dazzling lights, an immersive soundscape, and roving entertainment, creating a vibrant, unforgettable atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Don’t miss this magical, one-night-only event!
- Address: City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney
- When: Saturday 7 June
- Cost: Free
- Website: vividsydney.com
4. Starscape Tunnel
Starscape Tunnel
Get ready to be starry-eyed! Starscape is a magical 40-metre tunnel filled with over 700 glowing stars, lighting up Hay Street near The Goods Line for a dreamy, unforgettable experience.
Wander through this playful, colourful tunnel where brilliant flashes of light dance all around you. It’s a stunning nod to the night sky and those glow-in-the-dark stars we all loved as kids.
Whether you’re walking through or admiring it from the outside, Starscape is one of those must-see moments that will leave the whole family in awe!
- Address: Hay Street, Darling Harbour
- When: Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June
- Cost: Free
- Website: vividsydney.com
5. Vivid Boat Cruise with Captain Cook Cruises
Enjoy the Vivid Festival away from the crowds and from the water! Captain Cook Cruises offers a spectacular line-up of official Vivid Sydney on-water cruise and dining experiences from as little as $20! Discover unique vantage points to view the Vivid Lights and amazing photo opportunities of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
- Address: Departs Darling Harbour (King Street Wharf) and Circular Quay
- When: Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June
- Cost: From $29 per adult
- Website: captaincook.com.au
6. Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park
Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park
Looking for a fun (and free!) way to kick off your Vivid adventure? Head to Tumbalong Park every Saturday at 5pm for Vivid Kids—packed with music, dancing, and plenty of laughs to get little legs moving and imaginations soaring before the main music lineup begins.
Here’s what’s coming up:
- Saturday 24 May: PASIFIX Celebrate Australia’s Pacific Island community with a special family-friendly performance. Kick off the night with culture, colour, and music before the full PASIFIX lineup takes over the stage.
- Saturday 7 June: Whistle & Trick The ARIA-nominated duo Whistle & Trick are bringing their high-energy show to Vivid Kids! Expect playful storytelling, catchy songs and a show that parents will secretly love just as much as the kids.
- Saturday 14 June: The Vegetable Plot Get ready for funky tunes, earthy grooves and plenty of pun-filled fun with The Vegetable Plot! These ARIA-nominated roots musicians are guaranteed to plant seeds of joy in kids (and grown-ups!) of all ages.
It’s the perfect way to start your Light Walk adventure, and best of all, it’s completely free!
- Address: Tumbalong Park, 11 Harbour St, Darling Harbour, Sydney
- When: Saturday 24 May – Saturday 14 June.
- Cost: Free
- Website: Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park
7. Fireplaces at Tumbalong Park
Fireplaces at Tumbalong Park
There’s something magical about gathering around a fire, and this year, Fireplaces is bringing that warm, glowing feeling to Vivid Sydney!
Across Tumbalong Park, Barangaroo and The Goods Line, you’ll find giant fire pits, stunning fire sculptures, flame throwers and fire barrels lighting up the night. It’s the perfect spot to warm up, swap stories, and soak up the winter vibes before (or after) your Light Walk adventure.
- Address: Tumbalong Park, 11 Harbour St, Darling Harbour
- When: Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June.
- Cost: Free
- Website: vividsydney.com
Best Vivid Sydney Events for families in Beyond the North Shore
8. GLOW at Sydney Zoo
GLOW at Sydney Zoo
With over 200 NEW animal lanterns and interactive light sculptures, experience the ultimate light festival. Explore the GLOW Light Walk where you will step through the giant jaws of a colossal crocodile, marvel at the towering tentacles of an octopus and see the butterflies flutter in a stunning display of light and motion.
Head over to the GLOW Zone for NEW thrills and non-stop fun, including epic rides and FREE activities. Beat the drums as fast as you can in a race to illuminate the giant glowing heart. Create your own melody dancing on the keys of a piano, and kids can slide down the colourful Carnival Cruise Line Fun Castle. Check out the view from the magical 7NEWS Ferris Wheel and grab something delicious from the food trucks and GLOW bar.
- Address: Sydney Zoo, 700 Great Western Hwy, Eastern Creek
- When: Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June, from 5.30pm
- Cost: Adult $44.99, Child $34.99
- Website: sydneyzoo.com/glow
