By Rama Gaind.
Vivid Sydney, the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, will illuminate harbour city once again in 2019 with a stellar line-up of events for 23 days from 24 May.
The idea of sipping highball cocktails, towering above the city heights at a prestige hotel, is appealing at any time, but more so during Vivid Sydney celebrations. Now here’s your chance to do just that – and more – at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour from Friday, 24 May until Saturday, 15 June 2019.
That’s when Vivid Sydney illuminates the harbour once again in 2019 with a stellar line-up of events featuring incredible light artists, music makers and brilliant series of activities. Vivid Sydney, now in its 11th year, is the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, lighting up Sydney and surrounds at 6pm each night for 23 days from this Friday.
Millesime special
A whole new level of Vivid Sydney experience will unfold at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. There will be spectacular light projections on its façade every evening, a pop-up bar serving highball cocktails on the top floor Club Millesime, and a signature cocktail in Champagne Bar, created as a tribute to Madame Clicquot’s artistry.
Not only that, for the first time, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will open its exclusive Club Millesime to external guests for a luxurious pop-up bar. Located on the hotel’s 35th floor, it is usually reserved for the hotel’s VIP guests. The club offers dazzling panoramic views over Darling Harbour and the CBD skyline, making it the ideal vantage point to soak up the Vivid views.
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour brings the Vivid Sydney experience to a whole new level, with a pop-up bar serving highball cocktails on the top floor Club Millesime.
Created in partnership with Glenmorangie single malt whiskies, the pop-up bar will offer a selection of eight signature highball cocktails and a small variety of beverages, and throughout Vivid Sydney, it will be open from Thursday to Saturday nights from 8pm.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s award-winning Champagne Bar will serve a Vivid-inspired champagne cocktail every evening: the ‘yellow-flamed phoenix’, literally going up in flames under the guest’s eyes. Created by resident mixologist Evan Brown as a tribute to Madame Clicquot’s own artistry and spirit of innovation, the cocktail includes Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, plantation rum, rockmelon, Chartreuse, lemon bitters and Yellow Box honey. Located on the third floor, Champagne Bar will offer a chic candle-lit atmosphere, with spectacular harbour views.
Make this the perfect night out, and stay in one of the hotel’s finest rooms while special accommodation prices are available.
Vivid activities
Get ready for the lights to be turned on Sydney for three weeks of game-changing ideas and seminars, amazing music and light sculptures that transform the city.
This year, there are more ways to experience the festival than ever before, whether it’s from the water, high above the city or even whirling around on a theme park ride. This is where art, technology and commerce intersect.
The route for the Light Walk stretches for more than three kilometres from The Rocks to the Sydney Opera House and through the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. It includes major projections and installations at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Customs House and through out The Rocks.
In 2019, there are more ways to experience the Vivid Sydney festival: from the water, high above the city or even whirling around on a theme park ride from 24 May to 15 June.
You will be amazed by the creativity and innovation of this year’s installations. There is an array of ways to explore the largest festival of light, music and ideas and still ensure you capture the most social-worthy snaps along the way.
Lie back under the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and be transported through the imaginative worlds of Pixar’s films. Enjoy an exclusive look at 30 years of animation through the eyes of Pixar Animation Studios including some of their most loved characters such as Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
It’s undoubtedly the best time to enjoy a Sydney Harbour cruise. Shimmering lights, grand projections, it is the best show around. Experience the magic of Taronga Zoo at night; explore a festival within a festival: from the Audiocraft Podcast Festival to Freshflix Film Festival, Semi Permanent to Sydney Film Festival.
Experience over 10 electronic and indie music acts in one day at Curve Ball, Carriageworks. It just might be the warehouse party of the year!
Uniquely Vivid
Sip highball cocktails because for the first time, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will open its exclusive Club Millesime to external guests for a luxurious pop-up bar during Vivid Sydney celebrations.
See the lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails at 6pm every evening. This year, LA-based Andrew Thomas Huang will transform the Sails with Austral Floral Ballet.
Check out some of the most ambitious and innovative local and international artists performing at the Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE including electronic music powerhouses Underworld and legendary jazz ground-breaker Herbie Hancock.
Take the ride of your life. Everyone loves a thrill ride and Luna Park comes into its own during Vivid Sydney with a number of different light installations. The Amusement Park has a brand new family ride, Volaré. The largest waveswinger in Australia, Volaré is a flying chairs inspired ride lit up with thousands of LED lights to complement the festival. Experience the magic of flight and then take your festival experience to new heights once you climb on board the Park’s ferris wheel for a different perspective of this Vivid Sydney precinct.
Marvel at the works and admire the artistry and innovation involved because it’s that combination of awe, appreciation and inspiration that makes Vivid Sydney a truly enlightening experience!
DETAILS BOX
Sofitel Darling Harbour
2 Darling Drive
Sydney NSW 2000
T: (+61) 2 8388 8888
Fax: (+61) 2 8388 8868
W: www.sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au
Accommodation packages: a Darling Harbour view (from $452 per room per night including breakfast and a yellow-flamed phoenix cocktail) or in a luxurious junior suite, Darling Harbour view (from $797 per night including breakfast, a yellow-flamed phoenix cocktail and access to the 35th floor Club Millesime).
Vivid Sydney 2019
Various venues
