Vivid light shines on Sydney's restaurant industry

Vivid Sydney, which runs from 23 May until Monday 9 June, is a festival of light, music and ideas – the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

R&CA CEO John Hart says the event is a huge boost for Sydney's tourism and restaurant industry with light installations and projections illuminating the world famous Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay.

"Vivid Sydney's appeal to the international visitor saw 11,000 travel packages sold, with over 7,200 from China," says Hart.

"I encourage everyone to make the most of this must-see global event that has been ranked as one of the world's top ten ideas festivals by the influential Guardian newspaper in the UK."

Named Australia's Event of the Year in 2013, last year Vivid Sydney attracted record crowds of over 800,000 people, delivered around $20 million in new money for the state, and fostered new tourism markets and opportunities.

Vivid celebrates Sydney as the creative hub of the Asia-Pacific with large scale light installations and projections; free family events; music performances and collaborations; and creative ideas, discussion and debate.

"Vivid Light – Vivid Music – Vivid Ideas; the festival has something for everyone, but don't forget to book a restaurant, so you can take it all in from some of the best venues in the world," Hart said.

Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by Destination NSW.