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Vivid Sydney kicked off on Friday, May 27 and runs until Saturday, June 18. Started in 2009 to get more visitors to Sydney over winter, the festival has since become one of the biggest annual events in the country, featuring art installations and light projections, fascinating talks and incredible music performances.
But with over 200 Vivid-themed events taking place all around town this year, the programme can be overwhelming — particularly if you want an event specifically for a date night. What all is on offer and, more importantly, what’s worth it?
So, to help you out, we’ve waded through it all to pick out some of our highlights. From a three-course multi-sensory dining experience at a venue overlooking the Harbour Bridge to a 25-minute chopper flight that’ll see you taking in the city’s lights from above, here are some of our favourite Vivid Sydneyevents this year sure to crank up the romance.
3 Course Multi-Sensory Dining Experience, The Rocks
Feast on kingfish ceviche, Murray cod and caramelised rice pudding with your significant other at this dinner experience at 6Head in The Rocks. Available to book May 25 to June 18 for two seating sessions (6-8:15pm and 8:45-11pm), the evening ($265 pp, $530 for two) also includes a RedBalloon Vivid-inspired welcome cocktail, an unlimited two-hour beverage pack and a production featuring music, theatrics and technology.
Helicopter Flight, Mascot
Grip your partner’s hands as you soar over Vivid’s lights and projections on a 25-minute chopper flight ($400pp), complete with in-depth commentary on what exactly you’re seeing. Watch the city’s skyline and world-famous landmarks transform with a kaleidoscope of colours and mesmerising displays. Flights run May 27 to June 18.
SKYWALK at Night, CBD
Load up yourself and your partner with light-up bracelets and accessories before you both hit SKYWALK on this special Vivid Sydney tour ($200 for two people), which runs Thursdays and Fridays, between May 27 to June 18. The hour-long experience will see you standing on the SKYWALK nearly 270 metres above street level (attached to a safety line, don’t worry!), marvelling at the lights down below and posing for a cheeky photo or three.
Cruise and Dinner, Darling Harbour
Dial up the romance with this three-course dinner cruise ($199pp), running every night between May 27 to June 18. The 78-foot luxury vessel will wind past the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge, passing by Taronga Zoo and Luna Park, before ending up back at Darling Harbour.
Penfolds 6-Course Degustation Dinner Cruise, Darling Harbour
Every course of the six-course degustation dinner on this 2.5-hour cruise ($265pp) comes with a matching Penfolds bin or vintage wine. And while you’re sipping and feasting, enjoy music from a live band, not to mention uninterrupted views of Vivid Sydney’s stunning lights and projections, and, of course, one-on-one time with your partner.
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