Around Surry Hills 6:00 pm
Vivid is doing things differently this year. For Vivid Sydney 2025, it’s not all watching the Opera House turn technicolour and wandering around The Rocks looking at the lights (though that’s still very much worth doing). This year, sparkly season is going beyond the big, CBD landmarks and lighting up one of Sydney’s trendiest inner city neighbourhoods: the Hollywood Quarter.
First up, let there be light. From now until the closing night of Vivid (Saturday, June 14), the streets of HQ will glow with neon-toned nods to the world of cinema. Wander the neighbourhood and trace luminous movie soundtrack lyrics and famous quotes; this one’s a Vivid light display for cinephiles.
Then, there’s the event program – which is taking over venues across the neighbourhood with ongoing and one-off events. Every Saturday of Vivid, the Hollywood Hotel will be hosting live music and DJs in its moody ‘Vivid After Dark Lounge’, with snacks catered by nearby Butter served until 11pm. Around the corner, Golden Age is transforming into a dreamlike realm for the duration of the festival, with live music, performance art and kooky, obscure installations inspired by the beloved late director David Lynch. The Vivid line-up at Golden Age includes a performance by Marcus Whale and Nini Voss covering Lynch originals, and they’ll be screening dream-inspired movies in the next door cinema throughout sparkly season. The Soda Factory is also stepping up its entertainment game for the duration of Vivid, hosting live bands every Wednesday during Vivid.
The jewel in HQ’s Vivid crown will be taking place on Saturday, May 31, when Foster Street will close to vehicles for a gorgeous, glittering street party. From 5pm until 11pm, Sydney’s coolest street will become a pedestrianised alfresco dining destination, with food from Nomad, Gildas, Nel, Kiln, Poly and Brooklyn Boy Bagels, drinks by The Rover, Golden Age Bar, Butter, Alberto’s Lounge and Tio’s and live music performers keeping people entertained. Up on the roof of Paramount House, you’ll find a one-off gig poster-making workshop soundtracked by an acoustic set by The Lazy Eyes (taking place from 4.30pm until 6.30pm).
On Saturday, June 14, Foy Lane (the alleyway behind Ace Hotel that plays host to one of the most beloved parties of Mardi Gras) will close out HQ's Vivid fun with a high-energy laneway party – complete with live music, digital art, snacks by Butter and drinks under the stars.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.
