Vivid Sydney Then & Now: Our Journey on the Harbour’s Most Dazzling Nights

Vivid Sydney Then & Now: Our Journey on the Harbour’s Most Dazzling Nights

When the first lights switched on for Vivid Sydney in 2009, few could have predicted just how iconic the festival would become. What began as a smart light Sydney event has since grown into the largest festival of light, music, and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere - and we are proud to say we have been a part of it from the very beginning.

Lighting Up the Harbour from Day One

Captain Cook Cruises has always believed in the magic of Sydney Harbour. When Vivid Sydney launched, we saw an incredible opportunity to showcase that magic from the best vantage point - the water. In 2009, we partnered with Destination NSW to deliver the very first on-water Vivid Sydney dining and sightseeing experiences. Back then, it was an intimate affair - just a few hundred people would dine with us on our dinner experiences throughout the entire festival. A dedicated ferry service was created for early sightseers to get their first free look of the new Vivid Light Walk installations along the foreshore.

Today, we are proud to say that Vivid Sydney has become one of the biggest moments on our calendar with cruises regularly selling out. Demand has grown so much that we now operate a fleet of vessels, with multiple departures each evening, just to carry all the guests eager to see Vivid from the Harbour.

Since those early days, our vessels have proudly displayed the official Vivid Sydney branding, helping ensure that the Harbour itself becomes a key part of the canvas. Working hand-in-hand with Destination NSW since inception, we have helped Vivid Sydney become a major on-water spectacle loved by millions.

A Festival That Changed Winter Forever

Vivid Sydney did not just transform the city’s skyline - it transformed winter for the tourism and hospitality sector. Traditionally, the colder months were a quiet period for tourism and Harbour operators. Off-season convention and conference groups were the only lifeline that kept things moving, until Vivid Sydney shifted that narrative dramatically.

Each year for 23 days between May and June, Sydney welcomes millions of locals and visitors from around the world to experience the city in a completely new light. In 2023 alone, Vivid attracted more than 3.48 million attendees and delivered over $190 million in visitor expenditure.

For Captain Cook Cruises, the festival has been more than just a boost to bookings - it is critical to ensuring Sydney is a year-round tourism destination in line with the major cities of the world. The impact goes well beyond our decks. Vivid Sydney supports countless businesses and workers across Sydney and beyond:

• We hire dozens of additional staff each year during the festival — from hospitality professionals and crew to cleaners, photographers, and entertainers
• We purchase large volumes of food and beverages, sourcing from Australian butchers, winemakers, cheese artisans, florists, and vegie growers
• We support small family-run businesses and primary producers who benefit from the winter demand that Vivid Sydney generates

Vivid Sydney is not just a festival of light - it is a celebration of community, creativity, and commerce.

The Evolution of Vivid on the Water

From its humble beginnings, Vivid has grown into a 23-night program of immersive light displays, music, talks, and dining experiences that stretch across the city. And so too have our cruises.

Today, we offer a range of ways to enjoy Vivid from the water:

• Vivid Light Cruises for families and photographers from Darling Harbour, Manly and Lane Cove River communities
• Luxury Dinner Cruises combining fine dining with dazzling views
• Private Charters for corporate groups and special celebrations
  

And our hero Vivid experience: the Special Vivid Gold Degustation Dinner,featuring an exquisite multi-course menu paired with matching Penfolds wines - the ultimate way to indulge during Vivid, surrounded by lights, luxury, and the beauty of the Harbour.

No matter the experience, one thing remains true - the best seat in the house is still on the Harbour!

Looking Ahead

As we mark over 15 years of cruising Vivid Sydney, we reflect proudly on how far this festival has come - and the role we have played in bringing it to life from the water. It has connected people, supported industries, and helped shine a spotlight on Sydney when we have all needed it most.

We invite you to join us again this year on Sydney Harbour - and see Vivid Sydney as it was always meant to be seen.

Captain Cook Cruises - lighting up your winter since 2009.

Celebrating five decades on Sydney Harbour

Join the celebration for your chance to win up to $24,000 Cruise Cash, half of which will go exclusively to our Captain's Club Members as our way of saying thank you!

Here’s to 55 years of magic on the world’s most beautiful harbour – and many more to come!