Biggest Vivid Sydney to light up city

The world's largest interactive lighting display is ready to light up the Harbour City, with clear skies forecast and a "blockbuster" program ready to go.

The Vivid Sydney switch will be flicked on at 6pm on Friday and then for 23 consecutive nights.

Featuring 250 events, the 2017 program is the biggest to date and attendances are expected to top last year's 2.31 million.

Dates/Lighting times: May 26 to June 17, 6pm-11pm

History: This will be the ninth edition with last year's festival generating a reported $110 million for the state economy.

Security: Police presence will be significant but "not increased" following the Manchester bombing with security assessments ongoing.

Vantage points: The best include The Rocks, Hickson Road Reserve, Bradfield Park and Luna Park.

Opera House: Sydney director Ash Bolland will be lighting up the iconic sails with Audio Creatures, an animated display of underwater visuals curated to the soundtrack of Brazilian electronic producer Amon Tobin. Curator of Vivid LIVE Ben Marshall says this year's installation is "the most technically ambitious".

Circular Quay: The largest interactive light display in the world, Dreamscape, will link the entire precinct from the Harbour Bridge to Cahill Expressway and some of Sydney's skyscrapers.

The Rocks: The historic sight of Cadman's Cottage will be transformed into an immersive environment where participants can compose music while watching it translated into a display of colour.

Other locations: Chatswood's CBD will be illuminated in a 'Steampunk' aesthetic harking back to 19th-century.

Lights for the Wild at Taronga Zoo will showcase an array of multimedia sculptures including a Sumatran Tiger and giant Port Jackson Shark.

Other Vivid installations can be found in Martin Place, Kings Cross, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Barangaroo.

Music highlights: US headliners Fleet Foxes will perform four Opera House shows. French band Air and British singers Sampha and Laura Marling also share top billing.

Aussie talent Nick Murphy, aka Chet Faker, will premiere a collection of new songs. Other local acts include Dappled Cities, The Avalanche and Sampa the Great.

Getting there: An extra 3000 trains and 5400 buses will run to ease congestion and compensate for extensive road closures.

Weather: Clear skies are forecast until at least next Wednesday.

Top Tips: To avoid crowds, visit earlier in the week rather than the weekend and aim to arrive just before 6pm.