Vivid Sydney 2021 will invigorate the Harbour City this August, with an innovative floating light walk, widespread celebration of Aboriginal culture and themes of resilience and diversity throughout.
Sydneysiders and visitors are invited to join the celebration of creativity, innovation and technology as one COVID-safe community from 6 to 28 August 2021.
The 2021 program features more than 50 dazzling light installations and 3D projection artworks, over 50 eclectic music events and 90+ thought-provoking ideas talks and workshops across Barangaroo, Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Luna Park and The Rocks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there was a special kind of enthusiasm surrounding this year's Vivid Sydney 2021 festival.
"Vivid is a terrific way to show how resilient Sydney has been after the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a festival like no other and will deliver a wonderful celebration of our city this August," Ms Berejiklian said.
"The full program is packed with creative and exciting displays using state of the art technology. I'm certain this year's Vivid will be the best ever."
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney 2021 was an open invitation for locals, visitors and businesses to uncover the magic of the Harbour City once again.
"Now more than ever, Vivid Sydney will be a beacon of creative endeavour and vibrancy for our city, a global celebration and an event pioneered by the NSW Government that delivers significant social and economic benefit for NSW.
"In its 12th edition, the Vivid Light Walk will centre around Circular Quay, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour - including our first-ever floating Light Walk in Cockle Bay - giving visitors three spectacular locations to explore over several nights in a COVID-safe way.
"The installations and projections have been produced by 129 light artists from 19 countries and many will offer an immersive and interactive experience through voice and motion controls.
"We are putting community safety first, working with NSW Health to ensure everyone is safe so we can all enjoy our Vivid Sydney experience and encourage our visitors to do the same by following the health advice," Mr Ayres said.
The highly anticipated Lighting of the Sails of the Sydney Opera House is a digital rendition of an iconic Aboriginal painting, Yarrkalpa - Hunting Ground, created by the Martu Artists of the Pilbara region, transformed by Sydney's Curiious Studio.
Vivid Music events will take over some of Sydney's most-loved venues including rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard headlining the Carriageworks program, singer-songwriter Mia Rodriguez performing at Luna Park and R&B sensation Ngaiire taking over Parliament House.
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House features more acts and dates than ever before including Australian exclusives from Sampa the Great and performances by Golden Features & Hermitude.
Meanwhile, Vivid Ideas will celebrate the mavericks and misfits of the world, sparking conversation and debate across the program of events including the highly anticipated Game Changers at Sydney Town Hall featuring acclaimed actor and model Jameela Jamil streaming from the US to explore body positivity and the language of inclusivity; actor and comedian Magda Szubanski exploring resilience and the role of nature and the arts in healing; Australian hip hop pioneer Briggs; and comedian, rock musician and You Tube star Nat's What I Reckon talking about music, mental health and self-expression.
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program opens today for applications, providing CBD businesses with free assets to dress city shopfronts with the Vivid Sydney spirit. Local retailers and businesses are also invited to promote exclusive experiences and offers during the festival. Applications close on 21 June 2021.
"Vivid Sydney is an event that fills the city with energy and excitement, and in 2021, that connection and celebration is all the more important for us all, from visitors to businesses, locals to fans following from afar," Mr Ayres said.
"We are calling on people to come to Sydney, stay a night or more, explore the program of Vivid Sydney events, support local businesses and wander through the Harbour City at its absolute best and brightest.
"It's wonderful to have industry and Government working together for the benefit of the NSW visitor economy - this event would not be possible without the support of our creative industries, event owners and commercial partners."
In 2021, the official Vivid Sydney charity partner is The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF), a national charity dedicated to raising language, literacy and numeracy standards in Australia.
Vivid Sydney is an accessible and inclusive event owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
For information about the event and to see the full program, visit Vivid Sydney.
