<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In just over two months </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> will light up for the 15th annual Vivid Festival, with the full program now unveiled.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The event will feature more free events and an extension to the north side of the Harbour Bridge.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Scaling back the paid-ticket areas this year, the "Light Walk" which runs from Circular Quay, through Walsh Bay and Barangaroo to Darling Harbour will be completely free.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/influencer-filmed-taking-baby-wombat-from-mother-side-of-the-road-in-australia/0a4f364f-8edd-4c41-9f97-1258e2b4ecaf"><strong><span>Influencer cops backlash over baby wombat video</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Alongside them, there will be attractions in Martin Place and the CBD, in Surrey Hills and the Ultimo Goods Line.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This year's festival is helping people face the cost-of-living crisis by increasing the number of free events, which is great news if you want a good night out without blowing the budget," Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last year's paid events including the Dark Spectrum light journey, hosted within the abandoned Wynyard Train tunnels, and the Lightscape at The Royal Botanical Gardens will not be returning this year.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/vivid-reveals-2025-program-with-more-free-events-but-no-drone-show/28b315fe-de49-4dca-bf4b-e6bd666fedc7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year a "Stranger Things" experience at Luna Park will be a ticketed event.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Foodies will be treated to a unique dining event with a menu curated by celebrity cook Nigella Lawson.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/brothers-among-10-found-guilty-of-murder-in-park-attack/2e3f21f3-4994-4a87-bc6f-e259bd8f0050"><strong><span>Brothers among 10 found guilty of teen's stabbing murder</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The drone show has been cancelled for this year, with organisers citing safety concerns from overcrowding.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chaos unfolded at Circular Quay last year, when thousands of people crammed onto the harbour foreshore to catch a glimpse of the drone show.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Spectators criticised the festival's </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/vivid-sydney-criticised-for-crowd-control-after-dangerous-scenes/e37f590c-0814-49d3-b790-7ea584aac780" rel="" target="_blank" title="lack of crowd control after people became trapped"><span>lack of crowd control after people became trapped</span></a><span>, forcing police to remove surrounding barriers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite that, organisers are still anticipating huge crowds again this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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