Vivid's Major Transformation: What Key Element Won't Be Part of This Year's Show?

• Vivid won't be featuring a drone display.
• The renowned light walk will also be complimentary.
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Vivid has canceled its drone display and will now offer its renowned light walk at no cost to the anticipated throngs of attendees planning to enjoy the event this year.

The yearly event will start on Friday and continue through until June 14, featuring over 40 installations and projections spread throughout the area. Sydney .

The drone display, which has been included in the festival since 2021, has been cancelled because of safety worries with Destination NSW verifying the choice all the way back in March.

There were worries that the entertainment might attract too large an audience, leading to hazardous situations, following what happened when thousands of festival attendees got stuck in a bottleneck while attempting to exit the west side of Circular Quay last year.

The modifications needed to address the safety hazard at Vivid Sydney In 2025, there was a notable rise in expenses,' according to Destination NSW.

'Taking into account the increasing expenses associated with organizing events, Destination NSW has concluded that this is not an ideal use of their resources.'

Fortunately, there is some good news for those planning to visit Vivid 2025.

This year's festival will have fewer paid ticketed events from private sponsors, more projections and installations across Sydney and a wider variety of free events.

Vivid had previously charged visitors to attend two attractions that had been set up in 2023.

The Light Walk: Lightscape in the Royal Botanic Garden cost $30 while Dark Spectrum set visitors back $35.

The easy stroll will now come at no cost, thanks to arts minister John Graham highlighting the efforts made by organizers to ensure Vivid remains as affordable as possible within their budget.

'This year’s festival aims to help individuals tackle the cost-of-living crisis by boosting the count of free events, which is fantastic for those seeking an enjoyable evening without spending too much,’ he mentioned.

We're all experiencing the squeeze due to the economic situation and the cost-of-living crisis.

I genuinely desired for Vivid to react to that. As the director, my role is to revamp and renew the festival annually.

We aim for people to return again and again without thinking 'Here we go with another typical Vivid'. We want to constantly surprise them.

The complimentary light stroll will showcase illuminations at eight new sites, such as the Museum of Sydney, Barangaroo Metro station, and the Luna Park giant Ferris wheel.

Vivid will showcase multiple high-profile artists, featuring projections by Archibald Prize victor Vincent Namatjira along with works for the Sydney Opera House created by the renowned artist and HIV/AIDS advocate David McDiarmid.

Bright lights will make their comeback to Martin Place in 2023, marking the first time since 2018.

In addition to Vivid Light, the festival will feature Vivid Music, Vivid Food, and Vivid Ideas.

The four sections all revolve around the theme 'What's in a Dream'.

Vivid Music will run across several venues, including Darling Harbour, the Opera House and Carriageworks with performers including Sigur Ros, Winston Surfshirt and Japanese Breakfast.

TV cook Nigella Lawson has curated three dinners in the new pedestrian tunnel at Martin Place for Vivid Food.

Vivid Ideas will host a keynote address by Time magazine design boss D.W. Pine entitled Where Do Ideas Come From?

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