Vivid Sydney is back — brighter and bolder than ever.  If you’re wondering whether it’s worth braving the crowds with kids in tow, the answer is a resounding yes. With a little planning (and maybe a helping hand), it can be truly magical for the whole family.

We went last Saturday night with our 7-year-old son (photo above was taken by myself then). It was his fifth time at Vivid and I think my 45th (based on me attending every year at least 3 times). Here’s how to enjoy Vivid Sydney 2025 with your family; minus the overwhelm.

First the key details

• Dates: 23 May – 14 June; that’s 23 glorious evenings
• As of 2019, Vivid Sydney is the biggest festival of lights, music and ideas in the world
• This is Vivid Sydney’s 15th year and the theme is ‘Dream’
• There are 5 zones this year: Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line and inner city and Martin Place

Top kid-friendly Vivid highlights

🌟 Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park – Every Saturday at 5pm, Tumbalong Park comes alive with free, family-friendly shows designed to get kids up and moving. From Emily Who to Whistle & Trick, these playful performances are the perfect start to your night.

🌟 Curiosity – Picture a row of surreal seesaws, each with an eye-shaped sculpture that watches you as you play. As the seesaws rock, they light up and sing together, turning a simple playground into a magical, immersive experience for kids and adults alike.

🌟 Cloud Swing – Drift into the clouds at Darling Quarter Village Green. Swing beneath soft, glowing structures that respond to your movement with bursts of colour and light. It’s a dreamlike moment that feels like floating away from the chaos of the city.

🌟 Lighting of the Sails – The Opera House transforms into a canvas for Kiss of Light, a vibrant animation that celebrates diversity and inclusion. It’s a moving, seven-minute display that’s breathtaking.

🌟 Neon Dreams – Underneath a retro roller rink and diner, Neon Dreams serves up plant-based American classics and old-school roller disco vibes. Skate along to vinyl beats, sip botanical cocktails and let the kids join in — there’s no better place for family fun.

🌟 Luna Park in the Dark – When the lights go down, the magic begins! Luna Park switches off its usual glow and transforms into a world of luminous rides and roaming carnival performers — an unforgettable after-dark adventure for every age.

🌟 SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium – Glide through glowing jellyfish labs and illuminated reefs. With extended hours and 30% off after 3pm, it’s an underwater wonderland of rays, sharks and coral, with plenty of hands-on fun for curious kids.

🌟 Sydney Tower Eye – Take a break from the crowds and rise above it all. The Observation Deck offers panoramic views of the city’s illuminated skyline, giving you and your family a peaceful perch to take it all in.

🌟 Immersive Gamebox – Level up your Vivid experience with interactive games like Angry Birds and Batman. With 30% off after 3pm and longer hours, it’s the perfect spot for a high-energy family challenge during your festival night.

🌟 Captain Cook Cruises – Avoid the crowds and see the lights from the best seat in the house — the water! These nightly cruises offer front-row views of the city’s dazzling light displays and even a special fireworks show on select nights (25, 28, 29 May, 1, 4, 5, 9, 11 and 12 June). And tickets start at just $29 for King St Wharf departures and from $39 for Manly departures.

🌟 Sweet Dreams – The pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge turn into giant gumball machines and popcorn makers. This nostalgic display of colour and movement is pure childhood joy — a sugar-rush for the senses that everyone will love.

🌟 Sydney Harbour Kayaks – Paddle through Darling Harbour on a 90-minute moonlit kayaking adventure. As the city’s lights sparkle around you, you’ll experience Vivid from a peaceful, water-level perspective — no crowds, just magic.

🌟 Dream Scene – Let your kids’ imaginations soar at Dream Scene, an evolving interactive mural created by young patient ambassadors from Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. Add your own dream to the mix and watch it come alive in real-time.

When to go

• Weeknights are best (less crowded)

• It generally gets busier as the festival goes on. We always go the first weekend with our 7-year old son and it’s not too bad
• Early evening (arrive 5 – 5.30pm to park, feed the kids and settle in)

• There are lots of road closures, so use public transport or park at a distance and walk in

What to pack

• Snacks (hangry kids and queues don’t mix)

• Layers and beanies (Sydney nights can turn chilly)

• Glow sticks or LED toys (less begging when they see $20 versions at the stalls)

• Portable charger, to capture the memories

Don’t want to do it all?

You don’t have to do it alone. At Sydney Concierge, I help busy parents plan stress-free experiences, including Vivid outings. From family-friendly dinner bookings to your Vivid survival kit, I’ve got you. Let’s make memories, not meltdowns. Reach out and I’ll handle the details — so you can focus on the fun.