Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, opens in just 10 days. From 24 May to 15 June, the festival promises 23 nights of unforgettable experiences, exploring the theme of ‘Humanity’ through Light, Music, Ideas and Food.

Australia’s largest event will transform Sydney with mesmerising light installations and 3D projections from Circular Quay to The Goods Line; genre-spanning music performances and creative showcases; a formidable Vivid Ideas program featuring experiences that will open minds; and a mouth-watering Vivid Food program.

Events will be taking place across Sydney, with one of the focus destinations being the CBD and Darling Harbour.

From sea level to Sydney Tower Eye

Attractions include Observe Global Rainbow from Sydney Tower Eye, Madame Tussauds newly opened Illuminate Sydney A-List party zone inspired by Vivid Sydney, and late-night creature focussed installations at SEA LIFE and WILD LIFE.

Rise above the crowds and get up close to Vivid Sydney’s Global Rainbow as the laser lights beam colour 40km across the Vivid Sydney Light Walk from Sydney Tower Eye. For those seeking a more exhilarating experience there is the limited-edition Vivid Sydney SKYWALK at Sydney Tower Eye.

Madame Tussauds’ brand-new interactive A-List zone Illuminate Sydney makes guests feel as if they are in control of Vivid Sydney by switching the vibe of the whole space, including projections on a Sydney Opera House model. Inside, an LED wall can be manipulated by guests with their movements.

Life in Another Light is on at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and features new digital exhibition, Submerge, that takes guests on a journey inspired by the bioluminescent underwater world. Guests can come face-to-fin with the new Great Light Shark hologram, glowing jellyfish lab and can make bioluminescent waves.

Those with young families will want to head to night-inspired activities during the day, with a visit to Night Creatures at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour.

There they can marvel at the tawny frogmouth, bilbies and two species of gliders in the Nocturnal Zone.

Sydney’s newest attraction, Immersive Gamebox, is where the body becomes the controller and picture motion tracking is used instead of a bulky headset.

There are 13 games to choose from, including the latest addition Black Mirror Careers, the dystopian setting challenges players to find their career in a futuristic society where the current human professions are obsolete.

Players can immerse themselves in Tetris, Squid Game, Angry Birds, PAW Patrol, Shaun the Sheep, Ghostbusters and many more thrilling adventures, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Barani, a story that stretches back thousands of years

The Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to present Barani, a story that stretches back thousands of years, exploring themes of humanity, compassion and connection.

This immersive experience of animation, sound and storytelling will be projected onto the museum rooftop daily from May 24 to June 15 from 6pm until 11pm.

Developed by Studio Gilay, Barani is a bittersweet narrative set in Warrane (Sydney Cove) 500 years ago, juxtaposing humanity’s current existence with a time of harmony between humans and nature. The story, rich in historical and cultural value, prompts audiences to reconsider the history of the land under their feet.

Barani, a Gadigal word meaning yesterday, offers a bittersweet narrative, rich with historical and cultural significance. It provides a new way to see the land on which we stand today. Using a unique blend of modern digital illustration and First Nations iconography, a moving coming-of-age and mother and son story unfolds before us. Through this relationship, themes of love, connection, independence and the inextricable link between humanity and nature are explored.

The beauty of Barani and the juxtaposition of the story again the modern Sydney skyline, invites us to examine our current relationship to nature. This story, from a Sydney Harbour many moons ago, is a reminder to heed First Nations wisdom and to connect more deeply with the world around us.

“We wanted to tell a story of the harbour that surrounds us and the people who protected it for generations. It teaches us to stop and listen, to look and to learn, to connect and protect what surrounds us,” Museum director and CEO Daryl Karp AM said.

“We encourage viewing from nearby vantage points, Pyrmont Bridge or King Street Wharf as part of the festival’s world-famous Vivid Light Walk.”

It will also be playing daily in the Bamal Gallery in the museum.

For more, visit vividsydney.com