Sydney’s light extravaganza that is Vivid has once again broken its attendance record, seeing an estimated 3.28 million people visit the event for its 2023 edition.
This year’s event included the largest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere and a new food focus in the Vivid Fire Kitchen nestled into Barangaroo’s subterranean event space, The Cutaway.
The record attendance comes in the same year that Vivid, for the first time, included experiences that were not free of charge, such as installations in the tunnels underneath Wynyard Train Station, which could easily equate to over $100 for families.
“It’s hard to comprehend the magnitude of the increase in turnout,” festival director, Vivid, Gill Minervini, said.
“We’re extremely proud and very grateful to all our artists, performers, musicians, speakers and chefs. Without them, our program would not be anywhere near as successful.
“Vivid Food has been the standout in 2023. More than 190,000 people checked out Vivid Fire Kitchen which is just incredible, with many of our Vivid food events receiving rave reviews, selling out or achieving very high attendance.”
Echoing the success was NSW minister for jobs and tourism, John Graham, who said, “The preliminary Vivid Sydney attendance figures this year are extraordinary.”
“Australia’s largest festival has grown by around 30 per cent.
“That’s an increase comparable to the population of the Gold Coast.
“Over the past three weeks the city has felt vibrant and electric.”
