Now in its 10th year, Vivid Sydney (from May 25 to June 16) has cemented itself as Australia’s coolest winter event in the city and has grown into a 23-day extravaganza of art, ideas, and music. Here are seven events to catch:

1. Get your cameras ready — the most Insta-worthy installation of Vivid 2018 has got to be Thailand-based Italian artist Francesco Cappuccio’s The Garden of Sweeties, which is essentially a display of neon confectionery. It may be a sweet treat, but it comes with a serious message — all the candy is illuminated using renewable energy. Nightly, 6–11pm at First Fleet Park

2. Hear from Dare Jennings, the person behind some of Australia’s most successful brands. The founder of surfwear brand Mambo, Phantom Records and Deus Ex Machina (part surf shop, motorcycle dealership and clothing retailer) will spill the beans at Game Changer: Dare Jennings — he’ll talk about how he’s created cult brands with universal appeal. May 27, 1.30–3pm at City Recital Hall

3.  Be transported to the colorful neighborhood street markets of Brazil at Light Market, a cluster of pop-up market stalls built from recycled materials to the style of the country’s gritty but vibrant favelas (shanty towns). Wander through stalls lit by lasers, feast on delicious food and drinks that pack a punch and get your dancing shoes on. Nightly, 5.30–10.30pm at Chatswood Mall

4. Science, technology and conservation don’t always make for fascinating conversation, but when filmmaker, marine explorer and conservationist James Cameron joins self-confessed nerd and comedian Adam Spencer to share his passion for bridging science and art, you’ll be glued to your seat. Geek out at Game Changer: James Cameron. May 27, 5–6.30pm at City Recital Hall

5. The elemental and timeless nature of Australia is reflected in Australian artist Jonathan Zawada’s kinetic digital sculptures for this year’s Lighting of the Sails. Titled Metamathemagical, the work will see striking Australian motifs in continuous motion on the Sydney Opera House. Nightly, 6–11pm at Sydney Opera House

6. It’s been a century since May Gibbs dreamt up the iconic characters Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The queen of kids’ TV, Noni Hazlehurst, narrates the bush babies’ whimsical journeys through the Australian landscape in Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Gaze towards Sydney’s Customs House, where illustrations will be projected onto the façade. Nightly, 6–11pm at Customs House

7. Grammy Award-winning artist Solange Knowles is set to raise the white sails of the Sydney Opera House with four shows featuring hits from her chart-topping 2016 album, A Seat at the Table. June 1–4, 8–10pm at Sydney Opera House

This article first appeared in the May 2018 issue of Smile magazine.

Written by

Lindy Alexander