Immersive Experiences & Exhibits in Sydney
Since the arrival of Western art in Australia by the first European settlers, art has evolved in contemporary culture, depicting many styles and genres. Australian art is known for its diversity, with artists coming from around the world to create art in Australia. By exploring our contemporary Australian art, you can discover the abundance of contemporary art from artists around the world embracing the natural Australian landscape as their own. “For 2026, we are expanding our program into new art forms, including aerial performance, daytime public art, theatre and dance. These join our vast Vivid Minds, Light, Music and Food offerings to now make your Vivid Sydney one of the great comprehensive arts festivals of the world. As usual, it stretches across Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour and for the first time, additional venues in and around the CBD will be hosting Vivid Music, Vivid Food and Vivid Minds events that bring the entire city into the experience.
Earlier today new midwinter festival Illuminate Adelaide announced its inaugural program, including immersive art experience Van Gogh Alive, a multi-sensory tribute to one of the most famous figures in Western art. Located on Sydney Harbour at Tallawoladah, home to stories, art and culture for over 65,000 years, the MCA contributes to the continuity of culture on their site. They connect the widest possible public to contemporary art through their Collection, exhibitions, events, creative learning and access programs. Luna Park's high-tech Magic Box will go on to deliver immersive experiences, interactive attractions sydney shows, performances and events, long after Dream Circus has played out its season. Van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers were painted in a rare period of optimism and excitement in his life (e.g. Vase with Twelve Sunflowers 1888 and Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers 1888).
Together they will envelop you in a world full of colourful brushstrokes. Look toward the other end of the room, and you will find space splits evenly down the middle by more towering screens to form two archways. Everything the eye can see are screens with projections of Van Gogh’s famous works, they even cover the floor! Visitors are welcome to roam, stand or sit anywhere while enjoying the exhibition. We saw a something similar on our family trip to Hong Kong not long ago, but it was a small exhibition.
An unforgettable and eye-opening adventure awaits your arrival at the Sydney Virtual Room. In Tripadvisor’s top 10% of attractions worldwide, this virtual experience features team-based VR experiences and encourages problem-solving. The perfect plan for a kid’s birthday party or Sunday afternoon with the family, don’t miss out on one of Sydney’s best immersive experiences. This brand-new immersive experience will open its doors in September and promises to transport visitors to a bygone world of pharaohs, pyramids, and more.
Margo’s impact on the arts sector is evident in her tenure as Co-Director and Manager of Hill Smith Art Advisory for over 20 years where she has restructured and rebranded the business, emphasising a personalised art advisory service. Her dedication to nurturing relationships with artists, clients, and organisations has significantly shaped the local arts landscape, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to the enrichment of community through the arts. At the Sydney Opera House, Vivid LIVE will welcome more than 50 international and Australian artists, including singer-songwriter Mitski, Scottish post-rock pioneers Mogwai and Detroit techno icon Jeff Mills revisiting his legendary Liquid Room set. Vivid Music will once again energise the city after dark, with Tumbalong Nights returning for free live performances celebrating the diverse musical cultures that shape Sydney. Creativity and conversation will come together through a reimagined Vivid Minds program, designed to place bold ideas and world-leading cultural voices at the centre of the festival. This year’s line-up includes Academy Award-winning filmmakers Sean Baker and Chloé Zhao, influential music commentator Zane Lowe, Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz and bestselling author Roxane Gay.
A stunning sensory experience thatblends the virtual and the real,unlocking a brand-new interactivescenes. This theatrical cocktail bar transforms you into a prisoner wearing an orange jumpsuit and navigating a prison world ruled by crooked guards and bootlegging gangs. Over 1 hour 45 minutes, you’ll sip four expertly crafted drinks (or mocktails), haggle for contraband, and maybe even hatch an escape plan. The actors keep you part of the story, whether you’re playing the mole or colluding with the Warden.
They also eschewed classical subject matter and dove into modernity, portraying Parisian life during a time of turbulence and renewal. The style was initially derided by critics for its lack of form and realism, so the artists began hosting their own exhibitions. Now, Impressionism is considered one of the most influential styles in art history, paving the way for other movements including post-impressionism, fauvism and cubism. From start to finish, visitors are surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance that has been called an ‘unforgettable’ multi-sensory experience. Van Gogh’s masterpieces come to life, giving visitors the sensation of walking right into his paintings, a feeling that is simultaneously enchanting, entertaining and educational. Look, it’s in a weird pop-up area, but at least there’s plenty to eat and drink, and the new lightrail makes it so much more accessible!
All educational groups, including schools, camps, and social centers. Stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, a green oasis in the middle of the CBD, and enjoy a picnic with an incredible view of the Sydney Opera House from the harbourside lawns. Barangaroo Reserve sits on the water on the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is a picturesque spot for exploring native gardens, having lazy picnics and splashing in the protected Marrinawi Cove.
A classical musical score accompanies the vibrant colours, too, as presented in cinema-quality surround sound. The installation adapts its content between states of ambience, spectacle and interactivity, according to the time of day. In addition, an ongoing curated program ensures visitors to The Star can experience the works of local and international artists. Sydney comes alive in June with several major events drawing both locals and visitors to the city. From world-class light art to international film festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Design studio Ramus has transformed an architectural interior space into an immersive experience — a world-first, permanent interactive digital art gallery for The Star Grand Foyer in Sydney, Australia.
The city’s theatre scene is also in top form, with the official opening of the iconic rock musical Hair injecting a burst of peace, love and 1960s counterculture into the weekend. Meanwhile, audience favourites The Lion King and Anastasia, along with Bell Shakespeare’s sharp new satire Mackenzie, continue their successful Sydney seasons. Sports fans can also get swept up in World Cup fever as Australia begins its campaign, with live sites and pubs across the city gearing up to screen the tournament. The Socceroos play their first game against Turkiye on Sunday, so get down to a fan zone or a local pub to cheer them on.
A small cluster of oversized sunflower sculptures greets every visitor next to the entrance of the exhibit. After ticket checking, the standard covid venue procedures, and taking photos at the big “Van Gogh Alive” backboard, there is a small lobby area to the right. Here, there are images of a small selection of Van Gogh’s most iconic work with a short text of background information provided with each picture. I highly recommend taking the time to read through these as it will help with making sense of the screening sequence and why they chose what they chose. A 3D replica of the painting of Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Aries 1888 is on display here for visitors to get a feel of what everyday life was like for this artist who was in constant poverty.
Nestled next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and just steps from the city’s historic Rocks district is where you’ll find the Harbour View Hotel on Lower Fort Street. End on a whimsical note with lemon Madeleines, yoghurt mousseand a touch of fairy floss. As part of its Vivid celebration, Mode’s"Dream Lab" menu brings a splash of magic to every course. Make a night of it—book your Vivid table and toast to lights, lamb and locallegends.
When Luna Park Sydney opened in 1935, it was one of the only attractions in town. Nowadays, although we're in turbulent times and still in need of escapism, there’s a lot of competition for people’s time. So Luna Park has been working on a transformation – to reignite Sydney’s pride for the heritage-listed theme park and position it as one of the world’s leading experience destinations. Created by the late Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi filmmaker and photographer Michael Riley, this 20-minute digital film tells the powerful story of Sydney’s First Nations people before and after colonization. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to engage with Indigenous perspectives on Sydney’s history.
With Vivid Sydney 2025 set to turn on the lights tonight, locals and visitors from around the world are preparing to experience the vibrant cultural showpiece that transforms the Harbour City into Australia’s largest celebration of creativity and innovation. Through yarning circles and cultural storytelling sessions for schools and community programs, participants gain insight into culture, history, and lived experience, creating a respectful and meaningful space for learning and understanding. At Aboriginal Cultural Immersions, we partner with Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Owners, artists, performers, and cultural educators across Australia to deliver authentic cultural experiences that create lasting impact beyond a single awareness week or event.
Earlier today new midwinter festival Illuminate Adelaide announced its inaugural program, including immersive art experience Van Gogh Alive, a multi-sensory tribute to one of the most famous figures in Western art. Located on Sydney Harbour at Tallawoladah, home to stories, art and culture for over 65,000 years, the MCA contributes to the continuity of culture on their site. They connect the widest possible public to contemporary art through their Collection, exhibitions, events, creative learning and access programs. Luna Park's high-tech Magic Box will go on to deliver immersive experiences, interactive attractions sydney shows, performances and events, long after Dream Circus has played out its season. Van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers were painted in a rare period of optimism and excitement in his life (e.g. Vase with Twelve Sunflowers 1888 and Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers 1888).
Together they will envelop you in a world full of colourful brushstrokes. Look toward the other end of the room, and you will find space splits evenly down the middle by more towering screens to form two archways. Everything the eye can see are screens with projections of Van Gogh’s famous works, they even cover the floor! Visitors are welcome to roam, stand or sit anywhere while enjoying the exhibition. We saw a something similar on our family trip to Hong Kong not long ago, but it was a small exhibition.
An unforgettable and eye-opening adventure awaits your arrival at the Sydney Virtual Room. In Tripadvisor’s top 10% of attractions worldwide, this virtual experience features team-based VR experiences and encourages problem-solving. The perfect plan for a kid’s birthday party or Sunday afternoon with the family, don’t miss out on one of Sydney’s best immersive experiences. This brand-new immersive experience will open its doors in September and promises to transport visitors to a bygone world of pharaohs, pyramids, and more.
Margo’s impact on the arts sector is evident in her tenure as Co-Director and Manager of Hill Smith Art Advisory for over 20 years where she has restructured and rebranded the business, emphasising a personalised art advisory service. Her dedication to nurturing relationships with artists, clients, and organisations has significantly shaped the local arts landscape, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to the enrichment of community through the arts. At the Sydney Opera House, Vivid LIVE will welcome more than 50 international and Australian artists, including singer-songwriter Mitski, Scottish post-rock pioneers Mogwai and Detroit techno icon Jeff Mills revisiting his legendary Liquid Room set. Vivid Music will once again energise the city after dark, with Tumbalong Nights returning for free live performances celebrating the diverse musical cultures that shape Sydney. Creativity and conversation will come together through a reimagined Vivid Minds program, designed to place bold ideas and world-leading cultural voices at the centre of the festival. This year’s line-up includes Academy Award-winning filmmakers Sean Baker and Chloé Zhao, influential music commentator Zane Lowe, Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz and bestselling author Roxane Gay.
A stunning sensory experience thatblends the virtual and the real,unlocking a brand-new interactivescenes. This theatrical cocktail bar transforms you into a prisoner wearing an orange jumpsuit and navigating a prison world ruled by crooked guards and bootlegging gangs. Over 1 hour 45 minutes, you’ll sip four expertly crafted drinks (or mocktails), haggle for contraband, and maybe even hatch an escape plan. The actors keep you part of the story, whether you’re playing the mole or colluding with the Warden.
They also eschewed classical subject matter and dove into modernity, portraying Parisian life during a time of turbulence and renewal. The style was initially derided by critics for its lack of form and realism, so the artists began hosting their own exhibitions. Now, Impressionism is considered one of the most influential styles in art history, paving the way for other movements including post-impressionism, fauvism and cubism. From start to finish, visitors are surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance that has been called an ‘unforgettable’ multi-sensory experience. Van Gogh’s masterpieces come to life, giving visitors the sensation of walking right into his paintings, a feeling that is simultaneously enchanting, entertaining and educational. Look, it’s in a weird pop-up area, but at least there’s plenty to eat and drink, and the new lightrail makes it so much more accessible!
All educational groups, including schools, camps, and social centers. Stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, a green oasis in the middle of the CBD, and enjoy a picnic with an incredible view of the Sydney Opera House from the harbourside lawns. Barangaroo Reserve sits on the water on the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is a picturesque spot for exploring native gardens, having lazy picnics and splashing in the protected Marrinawi Cove.
A classical musical score accompanies the vibrant colours, too, as presented in cinema-quality surround sound. The installation adapts its content between states of ambience, spectacle and interactivity, according to the time of day. In addition, an ongoing curated program ensures visitors to The Star can experience the works of local and international artists. Sydney comes alive in June with several major events drawing both locals and visitors to the city. From world-class light art to international film festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Design studio Ramus has transformed an architectural interior space into an immersive experience — a world-first, permanent interactive digital art gallery for The Star Grand Foyer in Sydney, Australia.
The city’s theatre scene is also in top form, with the official opening of the iconic rock musical Hair injecting a burst of peace, love and 1960s counterculture into the weekend. Meanwhile, audience favourites The Lion King and Anastasia, along with Bell Shakespeare’s sharp new satire Mackenzie, continue their successful Sydney seasons. Sports fans can also get swept up in World Cup fever as Australia begins its campaign, with live sites and pubs across the city gearing up to screen the tournament. The Socceroos play their first game against Turkiye on Sunday, so get down to a fan zone or a local pub to cheer them on.
A small cluster of oversized sunflower sculptures greets every visitor next to the entrance of the exhibit. After ticket checking, the standard covid venue procedures, and taking photos at the big “Van Gogh Alive” backboard, there is a small lobby area to the right. Here, there are images of a small selection of Van Gogh’s most iconic work with a short text of background information provided with each picture. I highly recommend taking the time to read through these as it will help with making sense of the screening sequence and why they chose what they chose. A 3D replica of the painting of Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Aries 1888 is on display here for visitors to get a feel of what everyday life was like for this artist who was in constant poverty.
Nestled next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and just steps from the city’s historic Rocks district is where you’ll find the Harbour View Hotel on Lower Fort Street. End on a whimsical note with lemon Madeleines, yoghurt mousseand a touch of fairy floss. As part of its Vivid celebration, Mode’s"Dream Lab" menu brings a splash of magic to every course. Make a night of it—book your Vivid table and toast to lights, lamb and locallegends.
When Luna Park Sydney opened in 1935, it was one of the only attractions in town. Nowadays, although we're in turbulent times and still in need of escapism, there’s a lot of competition for people’s time. So Luna Park has been working on a transformation – to reignite Sydney’s pride for the heritage-listed theme park and position it as one of the world’s leading experience destinations. Created by the late Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi filmmaker and photographer Michael Riley, this 20-minute digital film tells the powerful story of Sydney’s First Nations people before and after colonization. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to engage with Indigenous perspectives on Sydney’s history.
With Vivid Sydney 2025 set to turn on the lights tonight, locals and visitors from around the world are preparing to experience the vibrant cultural showpiece that transforms the Harbour City into Australia’s largest celebration of creativity and innovation. Through yarning circles and cultural storytelling sessions for schools and community programs, participants gain insight into culture, history, and lived experience, creating a respectful and meaningful space for learning and understanding. At Aboriginal Cultural Immersions, we partner with Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Owners, artists, performers, and cultural educators across Australia to deliver authentic cultural experiences that create lasting impact beyond a single awareness week or event.
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