All the free things to see and do at Vivid 2025
Sydney has come alive with lights, music, food, and more as we celebrate the start of Vivid.
This year, the lineup is more stacked than ever and for the first time in a while the entire light walk won't cost you anything to see.
The festival will run until Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Here are all the free things on offer.
Sydney's coolest street (according to Time Out) is being transformed into an alfresco dining hub for one night this Saturday, May 31.
Foster Street in Surry Hills' Hollywood Quarter will be closed to cars and open to foot traffic only.
Menus will feature heavily discounted dishes from favourite restaurants Nomad, Gildas, Firedoor, Nel, Kiln, Poly, and Brooklyn Boy Bagels.
There will be live music and roaming performers. If you're keen for a drink to warm you up, The Rover, Golden Age Bar, Alberto's Lounge, and Tios will also be pouring bespoke cocktails all night long.
The event is free entry - food ranges from $15-$20 per plate, and drinks range from $12-$18 per drink.
Opera House
Of course, the iconic Lighting of the Sails projection on the Opera House is free every night.
This year, Kiss of Light by David McDiarmid is the chosen feature.
The seven-minute show is "a slow dance of texture, colour, feeling and idea, tracing the artist's punk, queer sensibility".
Customs House
The Customs House projection has become another cornerstone of the Vivid calendar.
For 2025, Australian fashion label Romance Was Born has created a swirling dreamscape of couture and colour to be projected onto the building's facade.
It is set to be a celebration of the iconic fashion house's 20th anniversary and a showcase of its most celebrated collections and collaborations.
Tumbalong Nights
Tumbalong Nights are back in Darling Harbour, with 23 straight nights of free music.
The line-up includes South Korean indie-pop icon Stella Jang, local legend Winston Surfshirt, and a special First Nations music showcase to open the festival.
There's also special family-friendly performances every Saturday at 5pm.
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Vivid Fire Kitchen is back with a new 'Fire and Spice' menu, serving up flame-seared global street food every night.
While food is available for purchase, you can still go to the night market at the Goods Line for free and watch live-fire cooking demos by world-class chefs.
Expect live demonstrations, delicious smoky aromas and fiery art, flamethrowers, and fire barrels.
Darling Square
Darling Square will light up with installations, free activities and entertainment, plus special dining offers every Saturday during Vivid.
A great place for families to kick off their night, there will be free neon face painting and glitter tattoos, plus live music.
Kickit Team Tennis
How about a game of team tennis?
This installation at Darling Quarter is made up of interactive footpads, where you can to 'serve' a pulse of light back to the team opposite, then work together to score points.
Firetalk
Every Wednesday, Firetalk will be held at Barangaroo Reserve - an intimate night of First Nations storytelling, featuring writers, poets, and songwriters sharing their work.
