Organisers of this year's Vivid Sydney are promising the most "culturally relevant" program yet with the annual light festival taking inspiration from mother nature.
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Running from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June, the event will include a brand new Vivid Food program, featuring curated street food offerings and high-end dining experiences.
Free and ticketed vents will be held as usual at locations across the city with the centrepiece being works of 95-year-old Australian artist John Olsen projected on the Opera House sails in tribute to his illustrious 60 year career and fascination with Australian landscapes and nature.
First Nations and Australian voice are at the heart of an extensive live music program including a tribute night for the late Archie Roach and a 12-day free music program at Darling Harbour's Tumbalong Park with shows by Yothu Yindi and Dan Sultan.
More than 40 Australian and international artists will perform at the Opera House throughout the festival including Jose Gonzalez, Yaeji, Ella Mai, Cat Power and Devonte Hynes.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said now in its 13th year, it was important the festival evolves to stay relevant to the creative industries and what that means to people today.
"We are truly proud of this year's program. We have raised the bar on the size and scale of the events and activated new parts of the city," she said.
"Audiences should be prepared to be blown away by the calibre of talent and a program that has been inspired by the beauty and diversity of nature."
Festival locations include Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour, Darling Quarter, Darling Square, The Goods Line, Central Station, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Carriageworks, Taronga Zoo and more.
Last year, a record 2.58 million attendees injected $119 million into the NSW visitor economy across the festival.
NSW Tourism and Arts Minister, Ben Franklin said with international borders fully reopened this year's festival is hoped to be the biggest and best yet.
"Vivid Sydney is NSW's biggest annual event and makes a significant social and economic contribution to our State," he said.
"From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, Vivid supports and creates jobs across our economy."
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency.
Australian Associated Press
