For travellers chasing magic and meaning, Vivid Sydney 2025 is a luminous invitation to dream bigger – and this year, it’s gone further than ever before.
Now in its 15th year, Australia’s most enchanting festival of light, music, ideas and food has expanded well beyond its early roots only at Circular Quay. Once known for simply lighting up the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Vivid now sprawls across Sydney’s CBD and beyond, bringing bold creativity to five curated precincts. This evolution from a local light show to a world-class creative extravaganza mirrors the spirit of its 2025 theme: Dream.
And in a moment sure to delight culture-seeking travellers, this year’s Ideas programme features Martha Stewart, the lifestyle icon whose curiosity and creative flair have inspired generations of women around the globe. Stewart’s appearance adds star power and depth to the Ideas series, making Vivid not just visually spectacular, but intellectually and emotionally resonant too.
One of the standout installations for 2025 – and a must-see for women who crave immersive, wander-worthy experiences – is Space to Dream, presented by Samsung Electronics Australia at Cockle Bay. This large-scale, interactive installation transforms the harbour into a fantastical dreamscape, where three glowing waterfalls seem to float above the water, shimmering in waves of colour and illusion. It’s part futuristic art, part tech wonderland – and entirely unforgettable.
But beyond the visual dazzle lies a deeper message. Inspired by Samsung research revealing that many Gen Z and Millennial Australians feel too bogged down by daily life to pursue their dreams, Space to Dream invites festivalgoers to pause, play, and reconnect with their imagination. Powered by Galaxy AI and the new Galaxy S25 series, the experience blends cutting-edge technology with soulful storytelling – from surreal AI-generated portraits to hands-on creative zones at the “Dream Generator.”
And yes – you can even walk on water. Thanks to clever design and illusion, visitors can step out into the harbour for a close-up look at the luminous towers and soak in panoramic views from the Dream Terrace. It’s one of the most Instagrammable – and inspiring – experiences along the Vivid Light Walk.
Each night culminates in a breathtaking seven-minute water show, created with local artists Milan Ring and Chloe De Brito. Equal parts meditation and performance, it’s a dreamlike finale that lingers long after the lights fade.
As Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini puts it, “Vivid is a celebration of creativity, technology, big ideas and, above all else, connection.”
With global icons like Martha Stewart and Jane Fonda gracing the city – Fonda will headline the next Wanderlust True North event at ICC Sydney Theatre on Sunday 15 June – Sydney is shining brighter than ever as a destination where inspiration meets imagination.