• Vivid Sydney opened last Friday – but already snipers are taking aim
• According to the country’s largest news website, it is “boring” and the “worst ever”.
• Yet millions will see it and it will contribute hugely to the local economy.

Vivid Sydney 2025, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is a beacon of creativity, innovation, and community.

Over 2 million attendees are expected to attend over the next three weeks, and it brings joy to tens of thousands of families from around the world. It showcases over 45 installations and projections, 200 events across five zones in the CBD, and 75 per cent of the light shows and installations are free this year, making it a genuine community asset. 

But already, just five days in, Australia’s leading online news site, news.com.au, has branded it “boring” and “the worst ever”.

And the evidence for this damaging and extraordinary attack on a much-loved event? Thin, to say the least.

“In a video, five tourists can be seen looking unimpressed as they stare at the dimly-lit Harbour Bridge before quickly turning away,” says the site. Readers then contribute their own views. Surprisingly, all those quoted are negative.

The site, which today published stories like ‘Horror 7-year hell after ex “farted in my face”’”‘ in its health column, is owned by New Corp.

Here at the Sydney Travel Guide, we’ve visited almost all of Vivid 2025 – even in the torrential rain of last week, we taste-tested the food at The Goods Line along with dozens of Vivid volunteers and design staff who had worked all year on the project.

Their enthusiasm and focus on creating a world-class event is infectious and totally awesome.

Vivid Sydney has a significant economic impact on surrounding businesses, with many seeing increased trading revenue. It is monumental in scale, transformative in impact and earns global recognition.

Poorly researched criticism like that of News.com.au disrespects the extraordinary efforts of organisers, artists and attendees.

The facts

With over 2 million attendees expected to partake in the festival’s 23-day run, Vivid Sydney 2025 is an undeniable crowd-puller. These numbers alone speak volumes about the festival’s appeal and popularity, as individuals from across Australia and beyond flock to experience its magic.

A “boring” event would hardly draw such a staggering crowd, affirming Vivid Sydney’s position as a must-attend spectacle.

Vivid Sydney has progressively grown to become Australia’s largest event and the Southern Hemisphere’s most extensive multi-artform festival. Stretching across five dynamic zones — including Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and the CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and Inner City — the festival combines light installations, music, ideas, food and creativity on a scale unmatched by any other event in the region.

Far from monotonous, Vivid Sydney 2025 promises over 45 groundbreaking installations and projections. Beyond the lights, the program encompasses more than 200 events, ranging from music performances to thought-provoking ideas exchanges. This year’s theme, “Dream,” adds an imaginative and visionary layer to the festival, inviting participants to explore and engage with dreamlike creativity.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

One of the festival’s defining qualities is its accessibility. There may be big-ticket events like dinner with Nigella Lawson for $340, but more than 75 per cent of the programming, including the entire eight-kilometre stretch of the Vivid Light Walk, is free to enjoy. People from all walks of life can join the festivities. This inclusive spirit ensures that the festival not only entertains but also connects communities and fosters shared experiences.

Economic Impact

Vivid Sydney is more than a cultural extravaganza; it is a vital boost to the local economy. Businesses in and around the festival zones thrive on increased foot traffic and trading revenue, underscoring the festival’s value beyond its artistic merits. Critics who deem it “boring” fail to recognise its tangible contributions to Sydney’s economy and vibrancy.

A Celebration Worth Defending

To dismiss Vivid Sydney 2025 as “boring” is to ignore the festival’s transformative scale, creative brilliance and societal impact.

With millions of attendees, hundreds of events and a profound cultural and economic footprint, Vivid Sydney is a celebration that defies monotony.

It is disappointing that a platform like News.com.au would overlook these achievements in favour of superficial criticism.

Vivid Sydney 2025 is a testament to the power of creativity and the unyielding spirit of Sydney. Let the numbers tell the story, and let the festival shine as brightly as it deserves.

Read more of our Vivid Sydney content

• These are some great Vivid Sydney events to book
• You can take a kayak tour of Darling Harbour during Vivid Sydney
• Here is everything you need to know about Vivid Sydney 2025 
• Don’t miss these Vivid Sydney dance parties
• The Vivid Music lineup is packed with diversity
• Are these the hottest tickets for Vivid Sydney this year?
• Vivid Sydney is shutting down Surry Hills for a bunch of block parties

Go to our Vivid Sydney 2025 Hub for everything you need to know.