Where To Eat, Play And Stay During Vivid Sydney

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Revered for its sun-kissed beaches, iconic landmarks, and buzzing energy, Sydney is a melting pot of multiculturalism and creativity that's constantly evolving. While many flock to the Harbour City during the warmer seasons, Sydney doesn't rest on its summer laurels and hibernate in winter—it comes alive, and Vivid Sydney is the unmissable event that kicks it all off.

From cutting-edge light installations and thought-provoking talks to genre-bending music and glorious gastronomy, Vivid Sydney transforms the city into a nocturnal playground of creativity. If you're making a weekend of it and staying in the city during the festivities, Marriott Bonvoy is offering 10% off your stay across six hotels—all you need to do is sign up to become a member (for free). It's also the perfect excuse to extend your stay.

Get your itinerary notepad at the ready—here's where to eat, play and stay during Vivid Sydney 2025.

Eat

A crowd favourite during the festival, Fire Kitchen brings flame-fuelled theatrics and foodies to The Goods Line, Ultimo. Running across 23 nights, the event features live fire demonstrations and fire-cooked dishes by culinary heavyweights such as FOX's Next Level Chef co-host Nyesha Arrington, Firedoor's Lennox Hastie, and World Food Champion and veteran chef, John McFadden.

Ready to roll back in time? Acclaimed plant-based chef and author Shannon Martinez is teaming up with Trolley'd for Neon Dream, a roller disco diner pop-up serving juicy American-style plant-based burgers, crunchy fries, creamy mac and cheese, and jelly doughnuts—before guests hit the rink and groove to vinyl beats by DJ Bob Gherkin.

Hungry but not sure what for? Vivid Sydney's Food Parks at both Barangaroo and Tumbalong Park offer a rotating menu of food trucks and imaginative bites. Highlights include blacklight-reactive desserts and glow-in-the-dark ping pong at Blacklight Dessert Lab, savoury Asian street eats at Food Trap, crispy Korean fried chicken from Birdman, Mexican bites from Ash's Nachos, and Japanese doughnuts from Mochii Mochii.

The Maybe Sammy mixology crew are taking over the W Sydney for a Vivid-inspired pop-up for one night only. Get there between 7–9.30pm on Thursday, June 5, to try a selection of unique, light-themed cocktails. The star of the show? The Monsoon Mirage: a dreamy blend of bourbon, vermouth and peach wine, topped with a Southeast Asian fusion of calamansi and tamarind, layered with Greek yoghurt, and spiced with chilli. Plus, it arrives at your table in a glowing LED box.

Play

In Circular Quay and The Rocks, some of Sydney's most iconic landmarks are hosting some appropriately spectacular installations and performances. Don't miss David McDiarmind's Lighting of The Sails — Kiss of Light at the Sydney Opera House; Vincent Namatjira's King Dingo lighting up the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Eggpicnic's dreamy Bloom exhibition in the Argyle Cut tunnel, and This Is Loop's entrancing mirrored installation at First Fleet Park, made in collaboration with the NYX Electronic Drone Choir—crafted from 10,000 LED lights.

Darling Harbour transforms its waterfront into a dreamscape of light shows and big-name talent. Catch an unfiltered chat with Emmy Award-winning actors and real-life partners Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, The Last Of Us) and Megan Mullally (Will & Grace, 30 Rock), hosted by Zan Rowe. Snap pics under the glowing Cloud Swing, a Burning Man favourite, or explore Samsung Space To Dream—an installation of otherworldly waterfalls in Cockle Bay.

After a six-year Vivid Sydney hiatus, Martin Place returns with a sensory-rich program of ideas, music, and visual art. Wander beneath giant cartoonish flowers sprouting from buildings in Flowers' Power, and get lost in the psychedelic projections of BioDream on the Commercial Traveller's Association Building. Other highlights include comedian, writer and architecture aficionado Tim Ross' take on 'The Australian Dream' at The State Library, After Hours: Dreams series at the Art Gallery of NSW, and a spooky and immersive screening of Edward Scissorhands by Haus of Horrors at Town Hall.

The Good Lines—Sydney's repurposed urban walkway stretching from Central Station to Darling Harbour—is home to more than just Vivid Fire Kitchen, it's also becoming a corridor of light installations. Explore attractions like Starscape on Hay Street, a 40-metre tunnel illuminated by a galaxy of over 700 stars by Australian lighting design firm Mandylights; Eye of the Beholder, featuring larger-than-life blinking eyes on the Frank Gehry building by artist Sinclair Park; and QUASAR, a doughnut-shaped, hypnotic swirl of light by design duo UxU Studio.

Over at Barangaroo, the cultural family-fun continues. Swing under a glowing full moon in Fly to the Moon, wander under a canopy of a thousand iridescent rods in SomniUs by UK-based design studio Illumaphonium, and bask in the glow of tear-shaped, meteorological sculptures in Lumina Dreams. At Barangaroo Reserve, don't miss An Act of Being, a stirring series of projections exploring the ongoing policies on First Nations communities, and marking the 25th anniversary of the People's Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Stay

Base yourself close to the Vivid Sydney action at W Sydney. With panoramic views of Darling Harbour, plush king beds, and a heated infinity pool, it's a sky-high sanctuary within walking distance of Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, The Goods Line, and Martin Place. Treat yourself to exclusive Vivid Sydney cocktails in the Living Room Bar before heading out to experience Sydney at its most illuminated.

Or, elevate your Sydney stay and opt for the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park's spacious suites. Designed for guests seeking comfort and sophistication in equal measure, it boasts views of Hyde Park and is surrounded by some of Sydney's best attractions. Round out the night at Sydney Common for an exclusive Vivid Sydney dessert—an indulgent layered bowl of sake-infused plum, black sesame crumble, and coconut mousse, finished with a dramatic touch of liquid nitrogen.

Prefer a front-row seat to the Sydney Opera House sails? The Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay offers unbeatable harbour views with a side of Vivid Sydney-themed cocktails from Small Mouth Spirits, light show sweets at Three Bottle Man, and a limited-edition craft beer—Let There Be Light—made in collaboration with Sydney's oldest pub, the Lord Nelson Brewery, paired with mouthwatering barbecue in the glowing beer garden.

For a mix of luxury and heritage, pick Pier One Sydney Harbour and its rooms built on and over the water. Sip zesty Vivid Sydney-inspired cocktails at PIER BAR while soaking up unbeatable views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Walsh Bay aside floor-to-ceiling windows. A popular spot for local and international Sydney visitors for good reason—this winter offers a rare opportunity to score 10% off your stay during Vivid Sydney and beyond.

For something a little different, check into Four Points By Sheraton Sydney in Central Park. This stylish base is enveloped by greenery and ideal for those wanting to explore Vivid Sydney along with some of Sydney's food meccas, like Chippendale, Newtown, and Chinatown, while staying close to Central Station, Hyde Park and the ICC.

Keen to skip the crowd but stay connected? Book Moxy Sydney Airport. Offering complimentary airport shuttles, five nights of free parking, and direct train access to Circular Quay from nearby Mascot Station, it's the perfect spot for an overnight Vivid Sydney escape that balances buzz with welcomed downtime.

Book your Sydney escape before June 30 to access 10% off your stay with Marriott Bonvoy. All you have to do is sign up as a member—and it's completely free. With access to exclusive member rates, your stay will also earn points towards free nights at over 30 hotel brands around the world. Find out more here.

T&C's apply and vary by participating hotels including blackout dates, cancellation restrictions and more. Offer may not apply in properties not participating in the award and redemption of Marriott Bonvoy.

By Elise Cullen