Vivid Sydney will light up the city from tonight

It’s the most brilliant time of the year for Sydneysiders – when the city is bathed in patches of colourful light displays as the annual Vivid Festival takes over.

The 23-day “light, music and ideas” festival will begin this evening, with police urging the public to plan ahead for the large crowds expected to turn out between 6-11pm each night.

Additional police officers will patrol the festival from Circular Quay to Walsh Bay, including Martin Place, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, Central Park, Chatswood, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Taronga Zoo.

The patrols are a part of Operation Skyline, which will run for the duration of the festival.

Officers will be targeting anti-social behaviour, boating safety and protecting light installations from damage or vandalism, the NSW Police Force said in a statement.

Last week, festival organisers said this year’s festival, the ninth annual event, will be the most “interactive” offering yet.

For more information about this year’s festival, check out the Vivid Sydney website.