Vivid Sydney Tips for Families

Looking to turn Vivid Sydney into a family night out but not sure where to start? With a little planning and our handy list of Vivid Sydney tips and tricks, you can skip the stress and make the most of your visit.

Check the schedule before you go, so you choose a day that has everything your family wants to see.

Star-Bound is on every Sunday to Wednesday night, while Tumbalong Kids is on every Saturday. The festival runs from Friday, 22 May to Saturday, 13 June, so you can always spread it across multiple nights.

The lights switch on at 6pm but if you’re looking to beat the crowds, head in a little earlier and grab some dinner first. That way you can settle in before the main event, see all the magic and still make it home for bedtime.

Public transport makes coming into Vivid Sydney an absolute breeze. Trains and buses run frequently to the city throughout the event, with handy stops at Circular Quay and Barangaroo, so you can zip around hassle-free. There’s also ferries and light rail too, giving you even more ways to get in.

If you're not keen on braving the crowds, there are all different ways you can catch the show minus the foot traffic. Get front row seats from the water on a Vivid Sydney cruise, roll around town on a hop-on, hop-off bus or see all the colourful lights from up above at Sydney Tower Eye.

There's heaps of food available to purchase all around the festival, but it never hurts to have some snacks on hand for the little ones. Go for light-weight snacks that aren’t too heavy to carry around, especially if you’re planning on doing the Vivid Light Walk.

All that walking can make for thirsty kids, so make sure to pack a reusable water bottle. There are water refill stations spread across the different spaces, so you can fill up as you go and save your money for treats instead.

Skip the cooking and make the most of your time by booking dinner beforehand. Head out for a bite in Darling Harbour or The Rocks before checking out the lights or hit two birds with one stone with a dinner cruise. Left it a bit last-minute? Swing by the Vivid Fire Kitchen in Barangaroo for some vibrant flavours and live cooking demonstrations, no booking needed.