Surviving Vivid Sydney with Kids - 2025

Photo credit to Srikant Sahoo via Unsplash

Sydney’s festival of lights, music, food and ideas is back - running from 23 May to 14 June 2025. It’s an amazing event, but one that will require a little planning to pull off successfully with kids in tow!

Five tips for surviving Vivid with kids 

1. Plan ahead and choose one area per night

The light installations at Vivid this year are in five main areas: (1) Circular Quay and the Rocks, (2) Barangaroo, (3) Darling Harbour, (4) Martin Place and CBD and (5) The Goods Line and Inner City.

You can have a look at the installations at each location on the Vivid Sydney website here. We recommend picking one main area you’re planning to visit. If you’re feeling game, decide on a second area to see second (if time and crowds permit). 

If you’re looking for a little help with planning, Vivid Sydney has published its recommended itineraries for each zone here.

2. Go on a weeknight

This one’s obviously a bit tricky if you’ve got school the next day. However, crowds are expected to be the biggest on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (as well as the public holiday on Monday 10 June). 

So if it’s feasible for you to head in on a weeknight, you should be rewarded with slightly more space to move around between installations. 

If you do need to head in on a weekend, try starting your night at the Vivid Kids performances on Saturday nights at Tumbalong Park (more on this down below).

3. Plan your entry and exit

With the combination of light installations and crowds, traffic is likely to be quite bad. Although public transport will also be crowded, it’s the recommended way of getting in. The metro and trains are likely to be the best options (with buses getting full very easily and the lightrail only running between Circular Quay and Townhall on Mon - Thurs nights). 

If you are travelling quite a way, consider parking at a metro or train station a few stops away from the city rather than driving all the way in. 

When you’re picking what area to tackle, keep the trip home in mind. Elite players will pick a route that finishes near  

Vivid Sydney also recommends getting in before the lights turn on at 6pm, before the crowd hits its peak.

4. Pack snacks!

I think I’m preaching to the choir here, so I’ll keep it short. A snack in time can save nine [meltdowns].

5. Embrace the chaos

Vivid is busy, noisy, and full-on—but that’s part of the fun. Don’t stress about seeing everything. If the kids are happy watching one projection on repeat or dancing to the music in the street, that’s a win. Go with the flow, take breaks when you need to, and soak up the magic where you can.

Photo credit to Benjamin Sow via Unsplash

More for Families: Food, Fire & Free Performances

There’s so much happening during Vivid, but these two experiences look particularly promising. 

Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park is a free, family-friendly show held every Saturday at 5pm in Darling Harbour. It’s designed to get little ones dancing, laughing and warmed up before the Light Walk kicks off. Each week features a different act—from playful musical duos to cultural performances—and the early time slot makes it a great option if you’re aiming to head home before the crowds peak. You can check out the full Vivid Kids line-up here.

And if you’ve got slightly older kids or just want to treat yourself, Vivid Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line looks like a great option. It’s free to enter, with a vibrant lineup of live-fire cooking demos and smoky dishes from some of the world’s best chefs. This year’s theme, Fire & Spice, adds a bold new flavour to the mix. It’s a relaxed, open-air setup where you can grab dinner, soak in the aromas, and watch chefs in action—all while enjoying the glow of the flames. Full details and food line-up available here.

Vivid with kids might sound ambitious—but it doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. Keep it simple, plan your night around one area, and lean into the fun (and the chaos). Whether you're dancing at Tumbalong, tracking down glowing creatures, or grabbing dinner by firelight, there are plenty of moments to make the late bedtime worth it.

Toilets

There are public toilets with baby change facilities available at Darling Harbour near the Tumbalong Park playground. If you’re looking for map navigation, they’re in the corridor on the right of Gong Cha Ribbon (Google Maps). In addition to a parents room with baby change, there’s also a second parents room with a kids toilet (but no changing table).

There are also baby change facilities at Circular Quay West, under the Cahill Expressway. 

Both the Darling Harbour and Circular Quay West toilets should be open throughout Vivid (including late at night) and have quiet spaces facilitated by Vivid Sydney close by. More information here. 

If you’re in the city earlier in the day, there is also a parents’ room on LG2 of the QVB (access via the lift on the ground floor next to Babette). 

The parents room on Level 5 of the Sydney Westfield is open until 7pm, and 9pm on Thursdays.

About MumSphere

MumSphere is your go-to website for kid-friendly activities across Sydney. We’re talking playgroups, storytime at the library, playgrounds, family-friendly cafes and local events. Check out what’s on in Sydney here, and the Eastern Suburbs here.

We also share day out ideas and more over on Instagram.

We’re looking forward to having you in the community!