Local residents planning to head into the city tonight for Vivid are being told to change their plans.
Although the projections on the Sydney Opera House, Customs House and the lighting of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will go ahead, the majority of the other lighting installations around Circular Quay and Martin Place will not be operating.
Strong winds have damaged several light installations including one of this year’s crowd favourites, the Cathedral of Light at the Royal Botanic Garden.
Bureau of Meteorology predictions of king tides and damaging winds may cause further impact to some art installations and hoardings, posing a threat to public safety.
Lighting installations at First Fleet Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Martin Place, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo and the Royal Botanic Garden precincts will not be activated this evening. Activations at Chatswood are likely to be scaled down.
“We apologise for any inconvenience, but the number one priority is public safety,” said Destination NSW CEO and Vivid Sydney Executive Producer Sandra Chipchase.
“Vivid Sydney will go ahead in the indoor precincts at Westfield Sydney and The Galeries where the Perspectives installation brings together some of the most prominent video artists to create an immersive galaxy of colour, light and movement.
“Vivid Sydney still has another 14 nights to run, so we suggest visitors delay their trip until weather conditions improve.”
Visitors are urged to check the Vivid Sydney website for updates over the weekend, should weather condition continue to affect the Festival.
Vivid Music and Vivid Ideas events will proceed as scheduled.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
