Sydney’s grandest celebration, Vivid Sydney, outperformed its previous records, amassing over 453,000 attendees on its triumphant 2023 opening weekend – marking it the most significant event in Australia for the year.

Welcoming festival enthusiasts from Sydney and beyond, the vibrant carnival also attracted visitors from regional NSW, interstate, and overseas markets. With over 300 dynamic events and activations, the opening weekend, they have recorded a 4% spike from 2023’s highest inaugural weekend – showcasing the festival’s ever-growing popularity.

Hon. John Graham, the Minister for Jobs and Tourism, applauded the event’s astounding success. According to him, the festival celebrates community and creative industries. More than that, it also serves as an economic catalyst for Sydney and NSW businesses.

The 2023’s festival was not just a spectacle of lights, but a tapestry of unity, community, and business, bringing together families, friends, and tourists from all corners of the globe. “It was heartening to see the city’s CBD throbbing with activity and businesses profiting from the exceptional turnout,” Graham enthused.

The longest-ever Vivid Sydney Light Walk, new offerings such as Lightscape and Dark Spectrum, along with the much-loved Vivid Food, were among the fan favourites. Local eateries and bars flourished, hosting over 120,000 diners – a 5% increase from the previous year. A whopping 85% of attendees contributed to the local food and beverage economy during the opening weekend.

With its theme centred around unity and diversity, Vivid Sydney 2023 began with the emotionally stirring “First Light” – a Welcome to Country ceremony followed by a vibrant celebration of First Nations peoples and culture. The highlight was an iconic performance by Yothu Yindi, crooning the iconic song “Treaty.”

Then, as the clock struck six on the evening of Friday, May 26, Sydney was set ablaze with the bright, dazzling lights of Vivid Sydney 2023. Searchlights, fireworks, and drones lit up the sky around Circular Quay, and the sails of the Sydney Opera House were adorned with the luminous works of the late John Olsen AO OBE. The creative technologists from Curious brought the spectacle to life in a display aptly titled Life Enlivened (2023).

Vivid Sydney Festival Director, Gill Minervini, pointed out that an expanded program and innovative events were crucial to attracting audiences in 2023. “Vivid Sydney is more than just a festival – it’s a city-wide celebration of creativity, culture, and community.”

The impressive drone show, “Written in the Stars,” stunned thousands of attendees. It was no ordinary show – the most significant drone display in the Southern Hemisphere, delivering an awe-inspiring journey through the natural world. The show will continue to take place throughout the festival on selected nights, adding to the ongoing excitement.

Running nightly until Saturday, June 17, Vivid Sydney 2023 promises much more. Minervini added, “There is still so much more to come!”

Remember to plan your visit using Transport NSW for hassle-free travel to and from the festival. For complete details and updates on the event, head over to the official Vivid Sydney 2023 website.

After the record-breaking opening, the festival is set to surpass the 2.58 million visitor mark in 2022, adding significantly to the NSW economy. With its unbeatable combination of vibrant lights, diverse food culture, innovative activations, and unforgettable experiences, Vivid Sydney continues to raise the bar, leaving spectators eagerly awaiting the rest of the 2023 program.

Written by: Anne Keam

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