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25 May - 16 June 2018, 6 pm - 11 pm

Vivid Sydney at the Royal Botanic Garden

Partying parrots, giant electric flowers and an illuminated forest of spiralling trees lead you into a world of fantasy during Vivid Sydney at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Pass through the QEII gates of the Garden and follow a pathway that weaves through an exciting nocturnal environment, revealing wonders created by artists and inspired by nature.

Share your photos and videos on social media using #VividGarden and you could win a double pass to the sold-out Astronomy at The Calyx on 31 July!
Entries close Wednesday 20 June 2018 6pm AEST. Terms and conditions apply

Discover more at Vivid website
Download the map

Aqueous by artist Jen Lewin, photo by Marcus Sasser

When

25 May - 16 June 2018, 6 pm - 11 pm

Where

Queen Elizabeth II Gate

Transport

Public transport recommended. Limited parking available

What to eat & drink

There are two food and beverage areas set up, one on each of the Upper and Lower Precincts. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine or nachos down by the Harbour, or a cupcake from the Cupcake ATM on the Conservatorium Lawn.
Both areas have a fully licensed bar, and an option to dine-in or take away with all the tasty delights. 

DISCOVER THE MENU

Delicious grab n' go options include nachos, hot dogs, steamed green beans and hot chips.

To share or not to share the donut sundae?

Follow the glow and you will find light bulb cocktails.

Follow the glow and you will find light bulb cocktails.


Share your photos with us, use #Vividgarden to join the conversation!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

General
For full festival details across Sydney, visit the Vivid Sydney website and Vivid Sydney Frequently Asked Question.
The entry and exit points to the Vivid Sydney precinct at the Garden have changed this year. Entry is via the Sydney Opera House forecourt through the Queen Elizabeth II (QEll) gates and exit is via the Tarpeian Lawn onto Macquarie Street. The Garden’s lawns Fig Tree Lawn, Australian Rockery Lawn, Twin Ponds, Parade Ground and Tarpeian Precinct, will also be a part of the Vivid Sydney experience. The remainder of the Garden will be closed to the public as normal during the night.
It is difficult to predict visitation numbers; however, we expect the precinct to be very popular this year. In 2017, the Vivid Light Walk in the Garden attracted around 450,000 visitors over the 23 nights of the festival. Please keep in mind the busiest nights are expected to be Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and over the June long weekend.
Yes, the Garden will remain open during normal operational times. Standard gate opening times apply (from 7.00 am to 5.30 pm in May and 5.00 pm in June). However, there will be special closures around the event site from 5.00 pm – this will restrict exiting through QEII gates from inside the Garden.
No, the infrastructure is designed to be sympathetic to the Garden. The Vivid Sydney team worked closely with the Garden’s staff to enhance the experience and transform our trees and garden beds without causing inappropriate obstruction for visitors.
The Choo Choo Express trains will operate during the day (as normal) while Vivid Sydney is on, but not at night. The train may need to re-route some days as the Vivid Sydney team set up.
Yes, there should be no impact. The facilities will be open normal times. See here for times.
If you have lost something at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, please call our 24-hour Ranger number on 0419 270 270.
Vivid Sydney information booths located at Circular Quay and Darling Harbour offer wristbands to parents and guardians of children to put contact details on, in case their child becomes lost.  
We also recommend that you give your child a card with your contact details on it. Vivid Sydney volunteers and security personnel will be briefed to look out for lost children and will contact parents wherever possible or the NSW Police if necessary.
 
Vivid Sydney is classified as an ‘all weather event’, and will proceed even if it rains, unless closed for unforeseen circumstances. However, we have been forced to cancel some evenings in previous years due to dangerous weather conditions. Please keep an eye out on our Facebook or Twitter pages for updates. (hyperlink social media accounts)
Accessibility
The Vivid Light Walk experience takes place on the Garden’s bitumen walkways with access ramps available for the slight inclines. Some elements of the route require guests to travel on the grass however these will be covered with track matting. The walk is expected to take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Yes, the route this year has been modified to ensure the easy access for all guests.
  • Accessible toilets are available at both the Upper and Lower parts of the Garden
  • Lighting is low level but adequate to allow safe passage
  • Onsite security, first aid and volunteers can assist where required
  • Food and beverages available for purchase.
  • Ample seating is available in both food and beverage areas (refer to map)
  • Guests are welcome to bring own picnic blanket.
The Vivid Light Walk is very popular and attracts large numbers of people across the 23 nights of the event. Generally, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights attract the biggest crowds. If you need to consider accessibility for other reasons, plan your visit earlier in the week. Lights come on at 6pm every night, so head out early when it’s easier to move around, or come early in the week.
Traffic
Vivid Sydney will have extensive road closures and special event clearways in the Sydney CBD, The Rocks and Walsh Bay to help minimise traffic congestion and keep pedestrians safe. Closer to the event you will be able to find more information on road closures, special event clearways and transport information at www.vividsydney.com/transport
  • Road Closures: There are no scheduled closures on Mrs Macquaries Road and Art Gallery Road during Vivid Sydney operating hours.
  • Gate Closures: The Garden will remain open during normal operational times, with standard gate opening and closing times applicable (from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm). However, there will be special closures around the event site from 5.00 pm, which will restrict exiting through Queen Elizabeth II Gates from inside the Garden.
  • Footpath Closures: There will be temporary closures to the sea wall walkway during the installation period (15–26 May) and removal (18–23 June). Please note there will be some restrictions to access of the pathways and gates during the day, however access will be maintained through alternative pathways.
  • Parking restrictions / parking availability: There will be no parking restrictions on Mrs Macquaries Road or Art Gallery Road. However, there is no access to Vivid Sydney through the Garden. Entry is through the QEII Gate via the Sydney Opera House Forecourt only.
  • Mobility Pass Holder access: There are accessible parking spaces available on Mrs Macquaries Road, however please note there is no access to Vivid Sydney and the Garden of Light through the Garden. Entry is through the QEII Gate via the Sydney Opera House Forecourt only.
Food and beverage
There are two food and beverage areas set up, one on each of the Upper and Lower Precincts. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine or nachos down by the Harbour, or a cupcake from the Cupcake ATM on the Conservatorium Lawn.
Both areas have a fully licensed bar, and an option to dine-in or take away with all the tasty delights. See menu here.
Sustainability
Protecting our heritage structures, turf, trees and plants is always a high priority during major events. The Garden’s Horticulture team have played a major role in assisting with protecting the Garden assets. The Vivid Light Walk will have crowd management measures in place to ensure that a safe patron capacity is maintained. Security will be in place during and outside of event times.
The Garden’s Wildlife Ecologist has assessed the event area and advised that as Vivid Sydney only takes up a small proportion of the evening and the Garden, this will allow the animals to behave as they would when there are no people around.
As per all the Garden’s major events an external waste provider will be contracted to manage the site, with additional bins and relevant equipment used to ensure the Garden is maintained during the entire event site occupation and ready for visitors to enter the Garden every morning
There will be background music as part of the Vivid Light Walk food and beverage area, which is designed to be a soothing atmosphere as you sit and enjoy the atmosphere or walk through to the next activation.
We are committed to complying with all legislation and guidelines covering amplified sound levels at outdoor events. However, if there are any issues please call our 24-hour Rangers number on 0419 270 270.

List of Installations:

  • Rejuvenate by Brenda Lam (Australia) / Priyanka Martin (India)
  • Parrot Party by Zara Pasfield (Australia)
  • He'e nalu by Unplugged: Golsana Heshmati (Iran) / Maria Dautant (Venezuela)
  • Ember by Snell Architects: Joe Snell (Australia)
  • Aqueous by Jen Lewin Studio: Jen Lewin (USA)
  • The Bower by mcdermott baxter (Australia)
  • The Nautilus Forest by Mandylights: Adrienn Lord (Australia)
  • Nacre by Pulpo Collective: Noor El-Gewely (USA) / Jonathan Irawan (Australia) / Nikolaos Argyros (Greece) / Lalin Keyvan (Turkey) / Firas Safieddine (Lebanon) / Mehmet Bostanci (Turkey)
  • Wish happiness by Kristina Mah (Australia) / Thupten Gyatso (Tibet)
  • Hyperweb by Louisa Magrics (Australia)
  • Impressions by Lumiforms: Jonathon Bolitho (Australia) / Harry Hock (Australia) / Sebastian Barkoczy (Australia)
  • Midnight moon by WestonWilliamson Pty Ltd. (Australia)
  • Oasis by James Feng Design + MAGK Partners: James Feng (Australia) / Minh Au (Australia) / Gunjit Kaur (Australia)
  • Midnight sun by WestonWilliamson Pty Ltd. (Australia)
  • Light houses by TAFE NSW Students
  • The Bloom by Mandylights: Richard Neville (Australia) 
  • Photonic State by TAFE NSW Students
  • How many light bulbs..? by Mandylights: Richard Neville (UK)
Events:
 
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