NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres officially opened Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas this evening by illuminating Sydney’s iconic sites including the Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art and Customs House.

“For the next 18 nights, visitors from across Australia and the world will arrive to see Sydney’s iconic landmarks, harbour foreshore and urban spaces transformed with spectacular 3D projections and 60 light installations,” Mr Ayres said.

Vivid Sydney 2015 again features stunning displays at Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour, Martin Place and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

This year’s festival introduces new precincts at Chippendale and Chatswood, expanded programming at Pyrmont and the University of Sydney, more than 150 Ideas events and its biggest music program yet, with over 95 performances.

“Vivid Sydney has been instrumental in transforming one of the city’s quieter visitor times into a thriving, vibrant period which in 2014 attracted more than 1.43 million people and injected $41.3 million into the NSW visitor economy,” Mr Ayres added.

“More than 25,000 Vivid Sydney travel packages have already been sold to international and domestic visitors, with the festival set to break travel package records with sales already up 25 per cent on last year.”

Those attending Vivid Sydney are encouraged to take advantage of the additional 3,500 extra trains, buses and ferries which will run throughout the festival.

Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s Tourism and Major Events Agency, Destination NSW, and runs from Friday 22 May to Monday 8 June.

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Sydney Opera House: Living Mural, Universal Everything. Credit: Destination NSW.
Customs House: Enchanted Sydney. Credit: Destination NSW