SYDNEY, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The countdown to Vivid Sydney 2023 has officially begun, with today marking 100 days until the festival's Lights On moment at 6 p.m. on Friday, 26 May (AEST).

Celebrating creativity, innovation and technology, Australia's largest festival will dazzle and delight audiences for 23 days and nights across four pillars this year — Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and the brand-new Vivid Food.

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said Vivid Sydney was one of Australia's best events and a vital economic driver for New South Wales (NSW) during the winter months.

"Vivid Sydney is NSW's biggest annual event and makes a vital social and economic contribution to our state. From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, it supports and creates jobs across the NSW economy," Franklin said. 

"Last year, Vivid Sydney was attended by over 2.5 million people and injected $119 million into the NSW economy. With international borders fully reopening, we're anticipating this year's festival to be our biggest and best yet. 

"Vivid Sydney 2023 promises to be a significant driver for domestic and international visitors to travel to NSW and attend Australia's brightest event and immerse themselves in our city."

This year's creative direction, "Vivid Sydney, Naturally," has been inspired by our connection to the natural environment and will be brought to life via a kaleidoscope of colourful light projections and activations, plus free and ticketed events. 

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said this year's festival would raise the bar even higher than past events with festival-firsts, world-firsts and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

"We are proud to have curated an impressive collection of local and international artists and food creatives to provide Vivid Sydney audiences with new and exciting experiences," Minervini said.

"We have expanded and evolved the festival further this year and have curated an amazing lineup for 2023. The festival offering includes some significant new and Vivid-first experiences, as well as Vivid Food to deliver world-class culinary talent, events and activations as part of the program."

A preview into some of the Vivid Sydney 2023 highlights includes:

• The Vivid Sydney Light Walk will return in 2023 with more than 49 light installations and 3D projections along the 8.5km illuminated walk.
• The internationally acclaimed, multi-sensory experience of light, colour and sounds, Lightscape, will transform The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for the first time at Vivid Sydney.
• First Nations artist Maree Clarke's Barerarerungar will be projected on the Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Internationally renowned Jen Lewin's The Last Ocean will enthral audiences following its 2022 debut at Burning Man.
• Brand-new festival pillar Vivid Food will activate across venues in Sydney's central business district, showcasing a variety of creativity, innovation and culinary experiences from pop-up restaurants to haute cuisine, celebrating the city's vibrant and diverse food culture.

Vivid Sydney 2023 will illuminate and energise various locations throughout the city, including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line, Central Station and Sydney icons such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Museum of Contemporary Art and more. 

Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency. The complete program for Vivid Sydney 2023 will be announced in mid-March. For more information and to keep updated on the program, visit vividsydney.com.

100 DAYS OUT: A TASTE OF WHAT'S TO COME FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2023  

Lightscape, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney 

For the very first time, the internationally acclaimed multi-sensory experience of light, colour and sound, Lightscape, is coming to The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as part of Vivid Sydney 2023. Lightscape is a timed-entry event and sells out across the world.  

Tickets are available now: vividsydney.com/lightscape.

Barerarerungar, Maree Clarke, Museum of Contemporary Art   

Maree Clarke is a Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung artist and designer. Barerarerungar means "Country" in Boonwurrung and will be projected on the Museum of Contemporary Art. The impressive, stunning projection will pay tribute to practices on Country while also creating a space for communal reflection at the heart of Vivid Sydney.

The Last Ocean, Jen Lewin, Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo Reserve   

This massive, interactive, tessellated "ice sheet" is made of recycled ocean plastic that shifts colour and shape beneath your feet. The Last Ocean, which made its debut at Burning Man in 2022, will be the largest-ever installation at Vivid Sydney. 

For more information and to keep updated about the program, go to vividsydney.com.

Contact Information:
Jenna Whyte
PR Manager
jenna.whyte@dnsw.com.au

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• Vivid Sydney