Visiting during Vivid LIVE
24 May – 15 June 2024
From 24 May – 15 June, the Sydney Opera House presents Vivid LIVE, its centrepiece contemporary music event presented as part of Vivid Sydney, the annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology. Transforming he world-famous building inside and out, Vivid LIVE will feature over 50 cutting-edge and iconic international and Australian artists.
Each night, the Opera House sails will be illuminated from 6pm until 11pm with artwork by Australian artist and Archibald Prize winner Julia Gutman with animation technologists, Pleasant Company in Lighting of the Sails: Echo (2024).
The busiest nights of the festival are expected to be each Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the June long weekend (8-10 June). Major city roads will be closed and extensive parking restrictions will be in place. If you’re planning to travel to the Opera House, it’s strongly recommended that you use public transport wherever possible and allow plenty of extra travel time when arriving for a show, tour or dinner reservation.
Attending a show, tour or dining reservation during Vivid Sydney 2024?
Ticketholders should follow entry and exit signage, security screening and bag check procedures. All attendees must hold a valid ticket, including children. Please be ready to show your ticket to help our staff get you to your event on time.
How should I get to the Opera House?
All visitors to the Opera House during Vivid Sydney are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport wherever possible. Please plan ahead and allow plenty of extra travel time when arriving for a show or dinner reservation.
Public transport
The Opera House and Circular Quay precincts are popular and attract large crowds during Vivid Sydney. During this time, there will be changes to transport timetables. For the most up-to-date transport information, please visit Transport NSW’s Vivid Sydney page.
Road closures and parking
There will be a number of road closures in the CBD during Vivid Sydney, with additional closures on Friday nights and weekends. For detailed information on road closures during Vivid Sydney, please refer to the road closure map and visit Live Traffic NSW.
The Opera House Wilson car park will be open every evening during Vivid Sydney, however the car park is expected to reach capacity early and egress will likely be delayed due to long queues.
Entry and exit may be impacted by the temporary closure of Macquarie Street during the Vivid Sydney drone show, Love Is In The Air, on the 8, 9 and 15 June.
Accessibility
The Opera House belongs to everyone and our goal is to provide access to all. During Vivid Sydney 2024, there will be:
- Two audio-described Lighting of the Sails sessions on Tuesday 4 and Thursday 6 June for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Bookings are required. For more information please visit the event page.
- Gig Buddies, an organisation that pairs adults with learning disability or autism with volunteers to attend social events, have offers available for AIR Play Moon Safari, Astral People presents Spice Trail, Thelma Plum, BARKAA, dstreet Studio Party and Tia Gostelow. Bookings are required. For more information contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com
Accessible parking at the Opera House
The Opera House Wilson car park located at 2 Macquarie Street includes 11 accessible parking spaces on level 1, and 12 accessible parking spaces on level 6. Both levels have access to lifts.
Opera House shuttle bus
There will be a complimentary shuttle bus service for elderly and less-mobile patrons. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The bus runs between Circular Quay, with pick-up in front of the Justice & Police Museum on Phillip Street and drop-off is at the Opera House site entry. This service will run before and after major performances during Vivid Sydney. During the day an alternate buggy service is available from site entry at the bottom of Macquarie St. The buggy is wheelchair accessible.
Download shuttle bus route map during Vivid Sydney (PDF)
Please note that due to the Vivid Sydney drone show, on the 8, 9 and 15 June the shuttle bus drop off location will change to the Opera House loading dock.
Please contact the Box Office on 02 9250 7777 to confirm operating hours for the shuttle bus and buggy services.
Filming and photography
Visitors are encouraged to capture their festival experience with hand-held photography equipment. Large and intrusive photography and filming equipment or permanent set-ups are not permitted on the Opera House precinct.
Drones are strictly prohibited. In order to ensure safety and security, an authorised officer may remove any aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles from the site at any time.
Eat and drink
The Opera House has a range of onsite bars and restaurants that are perfect for a quick snack or sit-down meal.
Food trucks will also be set up on the Forecourt offering festival-goers a variety of snacks and small plates to dine on after dark. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available. Open from 5pm every day of the festival.
For more information on what’s on offer, visit Eat & Drink at Vivid LIVE.
Security and safety
The safety and security of our visitors, patrons and staff is our highest priority. The Opera House works closely with the NSW Police and other relevant authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment.
As a condition of entry into the venue, bag inspections and electronic screening will be carried out at security checkpoints upon entry to the site. We strongly encourage patrons to leave bags at home and to avoid bringing any large items to the Opera House.
The security checkpoint will be located at the entrance to the building.
Frequently asked questions
Attending the Opera House during Vivid Sydney
The Lighting of the Sails during Vivid Sydney is a free event. You do not need a ticket to view the incredible animations by Julia Gutman on the Sails every night from 24 May – 15 June.
If you are attending a performance as part of the Vivid LIVE program, a valid ticket is required. It’s highly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance.
It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as tickets may not be available at the door.
In line with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags on entry. Please travel lightly and do not bring items that require cloaking e.g. handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks and umbrellas, which are not permitted inside our venues.
Please follow the directions of Opera House staff and security.
Yes, cloaking will remain available but it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly and leave large, bulky items at home.
The following items are prohibited:
- BYO alcohol
- Glass beverage containers
- Professional cameras or recording devices
- Laser pointers or selfie sticks
- Illegal substances including controlled, dangerous or illicit drugs
- Offensive signage or clothing
Further information about items that are prohibited onsite can be found on our Conditions of Entry.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House is a smoke-free site.
The Smoke-free Environment Policy applies to all areas of the Opera House precinct and covers all forms of tobacco and non-tobacco smoking, including cigarettes, vapes, e-cigarettes, cigars and water pipe tobacco smoking. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.
Yes, a complimentary shuttle bus and buggy service will be in operation during Vivid Sydney. Please contact the Box Office to confirm operating hours on 02 9250 7777.
Download shuttle bus route map during Vivid Sydney (PDF)
For patrons who are blind or have low vision, the Opera House will be hosting two audio-described sessions of this year’s images projected on to the sails on 4 and 6 June. Bookings are required. For more information please visit the event page.
Gig Buddies, an organisation that pairs adults with a learning disability or autism with volunteers to attend social events, have offers available for AIR Play Moon Safari, Astral People presents Spice Trail, Thelma Plum, BARKAA, dstreet Studio Party and Tia Gostelow. Bookings are required. For more information contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
How do I travel to the Opera House during Vivid Sydney?
The Opera House and Circular Quay precincts are popular and attract large crowds during Vivid Sydney. Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave the car at home and use public transport wherever possible. During this time, there will be changes to transport timetables. For further information, please visit Transport NSW’s Vivid Sydney page.
There will be a range of road closures in the Sydney CBD during Vivid Sydney. For detailed information on road closures please refer to the road closure map and visit Live Traffic NSW.
The Opera House Wilson car park will be open every evening during Vivid Sydney, however the car park is expected to reach capacity early and egress will likely be delayed due to long queues.
Entry and exit may be impacted by the temporary closure of Macquarie Street during the Vivid Sydney drone show, Love Is In The Air, on the 8, 9 and 15 June.
What can I eat and drink during Vivid LIVE?
Ticketholders are welcome to bring their own water bottle (as long as it isn’t made of glass) but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues. BYO alcohol is strictly prohibited from the Opera House.
The Opera House has a range of onsite bars and restaurants which are perfect for a quick snack or sit-down meal.
Food trucks will also be set up on the forecourt offering festival-goers a variety of snacks and small plates to dine on after dark. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available. Open from 5pm every day of the festival.
For more information on what’s on offer, visit the Eat & Drink at Vivid LIVE page.
Cashless payment methods are strongly recommended. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions.