The NSW government is teaming up with over 400 businesses through the 2025 Vivid Sydney Local Business Program as the countdown to Sydney’s biggest event enters its final days.
From May 23 to June 14, bars, restaurants, retailers, and vessels across the Harbour City will participate in the festival with pop-up activations, tailored menus, and exclusive offers.
The 2025 program has seen a more than 110 per cent increase in participation, with businesses from Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Quarter, Darling Square, Market City, Paddy’s Market Haymarket, and Sydney Place joining the initiative.
Sydney Harbour Kayaks, Hickson House, Disco Loco, Tribal Warrior Vivid Sydney Cruise, and Mutha Runner are also taking part in the event.
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program, which is conducted by Destination NSW, aims to support small and medium-sized businesses by using the influence of the event to boost footfall, create jobs, and encourage local spending in the city.
To boost business involvement in the festival, trading hours will be extended on three Sunday nights for the duration of Vivid Sydney.
Businesses participating in the program will gain access to benefits including promotion on the Vivid Sydney website, a free digital toolkit for marketing campaigns, LED screens, and window decals.
Vivid Sydney 2024 recorded 2.53 million visitors and delivered above $180 million in visitor spending, with the opening night alone drawing greater than 142,000 people to the festival area.
“Between the lights, the music, the ideas and the food, Vivid Sydney is more than just a visual experience – it’s an opportunity to celebrate our city. Programs like this are key to our vision of cementing Sydney as the premier destination in the Asia-Pacific for world-class events and unforgettable visitor experiences after dark,” said Steve Kamper, Minister for Jobs and Tourism.
“Vivid is such a great event for small businesses in our city. It’s a great festival to showcase all our world class small businesses in Sydney’s hospitality, tourism and arts and cultural sectors. Vivid wouldn’t be the event it is now in Sydney’s festival calendar without them,” said Janelle Saffin, Minister for Small Business.