Vivid Sydney, the world’s leading festival of light, music, ideas and food, officially switches on tonight —marking 15 dazzling years of transforming the Harbour City.
But behind the spectacle lies a Greek Australian legacy that few realise: the festival was the brainchild of lighting designer Mary-Anne Kyriakou, whose vision helped illuminate Sydney’s winter nights and global cultural standing.
Founded in 2009 by Destination NSW to drive tourism during the colder months, Vivid began as Smart Light Sydney, an energy-efficiency-focused light art event spearheaded by Kyriakou, whose Greek heritage shaped her creative perspective.
Drawing inspiration from European light festivals like Glow Eindhoven, Kyriakou imagined a festival that combined environmental consciousness with artistic spectacle. That dream materialised with a projection on the Sydney Opera House — created in collaboration with Brian Eno — and laid the foundations for what Vivid Sydney has become today.
Kyriakou’s influence continues to shine beyond Vivid. She co-founded Studio Kybra, a sustainable light art practice, and now heads the Lighting Design department at a university in Germany. Yet her contribution to Sydney’s creative identity remains enduring.
Tonight, Vivid kicks off with First Light at The Rocks, followed by a 23-night program uniting light installations, music, thought leadership, and world-class dining — all under the theme Vivid Sydney, Dream.
More than 75% of the festival is free to attend, including the 100% free Vivid Light Walk which now spans five precincts from Barangaroo to The Goods Line.
This year, over 100 music performances, 30+ ideas events (including Martha Stewart and Nick Offerman), and global culinary stars like Nigella Lawson will anchor the program.
In 2024, Vivid drew more than 2.5 million attendees and generated $180 million in economic impact. With expanded Sunday trading hours and a focus on community through the Open Streets Program, 2025 is set to surpass even that.
And through it all, the light of a Greek Australian woman’s vision continues to illuminate a global stage.
For more information and to plan your visit, go to www.vividsydney.com.
