How to See the Most Popular Vivid 2019 Installations Without Fighting the Masses

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Lights, art, music, performances, talks — throw them all together over a hectic three-week period, and boom, Vivid is back once again. It's the luminous festival that's become as much of a Sydney mainstay as the city's bricks-and-mortar landmarks. And if you haven't seen the Harbour Bridge or Opera House lit up during the annual fest, then, really, what have you been doing?

With a massive event comes masses of folks all clamouring to bask in Vivid's glow, especially when it comes to the festival's dazzling centrepieces: the light installations. A huge 74 of them will brighten up every nook and cranny between Friday, May 24 and Saturday, June 15, and a much, much larger number of folks will come rushing along. We know you'll be one of them — but, with the help of our friends at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we've rounded up some crowd-busting tips for viewing some of Vivid's best installations this year.

Toer render.

FIREFLY FIELD — ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN

It's safe to say that Sydneysiders will be swarming to one of Vivid's big 2019 highlights: Firefly Field by Dutch artists Toer. The concept is both simple and awe-inspiring; the duo will turn the Royal Botanic Garden into a bioluminescent playground, simulating the radiant creatures that give the artwork its name. In total, there'll be 500 flying light points flashing and blinking each and every night. With tiny LEDs placed in transparent capsules and mounted on near-invisible steel rods, you really will feel like you're walking through a sea of glowing lightning bugs. Expect this to be busy from open till close across Vivid's 23 days; however, if you arrive right when the lights are turned on at 6pm daily, you'll have ample time to soak in the glittering splendour before the crowds rush in.

Andrew Thomas Huang and Bemo render.

AUSTRAL FLORAL BALLET – SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Vivid's biggest canvas will light up once again, and this year Los Angeles-based Andrew Thomas Huang is doing the honours. Even if you don't know his name, you may know his vibrant work from music videos for Björk, Sigur Rós and Thom Yorke. And you can expect his large-scale Sydney Opera House piece, Austral Flora Ballet, to be just as mesmerising. Made in collaboration with choreographer Toogie Barcelo, dancer Genna Moroni and animators at Bemo, the projection takes inspiration from Australian plant life (especially, species of significance to Indigenous people). If past Vivids have proven anything, every space around the harbour will be jam-packed after 6pm hits, with everyone scrambling to see the fest's centrepiece. Of course, the great thing about an installation this immense is that you can spy it from anywhere with a view of the Opera House.

THE VIVID CLIMB — BRIDGECLIMB SYDNEY

Much of Vivid involves staring at Sydney's structures and marvelling not only at the lights projected across them but at the buildings themselves. And while that's as ace as it sounds, clambering up the Sydney Harbour Bridge while it's in full dazzling mode, then dancing on top of the towering landmark, is something extra special. That's what's on the agenda at BridgeClimb's The Vivid Climb, which returns nightly for a three-and-a-half hour experience that you won't forget in a hurry. First, you'll strap on a flashing vest, adding your own shining contribution to Vivid's luminous feast. Then, you'll scale one of the most famous bridges in the world. Finally, you'll make shapes on the illuminated dance floor at the summit, peer out over a city filled with sparkling lights and enjoy 360-degree views. It'll cost you $268, and the fact that only 14 people per group will make the climb is an enormous bonus — there are no crowds here.

Ample Projects render.

LIGHTS FOR THE WILD — TARONGA ZOO

Sydney's huge annual festival teams up with one of the city's most popular spots with Lights for the Wild. That description fits much of the event's lineup, but who doesn't want to roam through a lit-up Taronga Zoo by night? A different type of animal is the star attraction, with the installation adding giant multimedia light sculptures to the zoo's communal spaces — including a glowing sumatran tiger with cubs, a multi-coloured marine turtle, plenty of glittering bees and an illuminated gorilla family. You'll also enjoy a 270-degree cinema experience and learn about Taronga's wildlife conservation efforts, so this just might be the part of Vivid with the biggest heart. Lights for the Wild runs from Wednesday to Sunday during the festival, with sessions at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, and tickets costing $26.95. If you're eager for as much space to yourself as possible, head along to the later timeslot on Wednesday or Thursday, when there's likely to be fewer tiny feet.

Pixar/Disney render.

PIXAR: 30 YEARS OF ART AND ANIMATION — THE ROCKS

Time flies when you're watching fantastic animated films. Pixar has been the source of that joy for decades, so the studio is rightfully celebrating with a specially designed Vivid installation, bringing its movies to life by beaming them onto the façade of the Argyle Cut at The Rocks. If you've ever wanted to feel like you're swimming with Nemo or falling with style alongside Buzz and Woody, this is your chance thanks to the festival's projections. You'll also get a glimpse at the creative process behind the studio's hit films, via pencil drawings, acrylic paintings, watercolours, digital paintings and final film frames. Our tip for beating the family crowds: make the visit during the last hour each night; lights go out at 11pm daily.

Tee up the best Vivid view in the city, and enter our competition to win a Vivid Bridge Climb session for you and a mate here.