Don’t Miss These Night Activities in Sydney 2023

They say the best things in life are free, but we think the best things in life, especially in Sydney, happen after dark. Sydney at night has endless possibilities, and has a lot to offer. If you’re looking to explore the city after dark, make the most of its uplifting nightlife, then you’ve come to the right place. From scenic dinner cruises on Sydney Harbour to Swiss renditions of the Northern Lights, here are some of the best things to do right now in Sydney after dark.

Long with winter came Vivid

The biggest festival of light, music, ideas, and now, food, is making its mammoth return in May. Vivid Sydney is once again set to transform the city into a vogue-ish wonderland of surreal light installations, and music shows, along with eye-opening talks and mouth-watering culinary creatives. Every day after 6pm for 23 straight nights, you can explore this cultural extravaganza across more than 13 stunning locations in and around the city Central Business District. So, if you’re planning to visit Sydney during the winter months, then time it accordingly with this brilliant festival!

Make the most of Sydney’s nocturnal beauty

Cruising is a year-round pastime activity in Sydney and is of a number of varieties. It's no secret that Sydney is home to some of the best views in the world, and they are even more impressive at night! The legendary icons, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, will be lit up in the most spectacular fashion, and the best way to view them is to hop on a cruise. Sydney Harbour dinner cruises offer an on-water perspective of these icons, along with a unique angle of the city skyline. And that’s not even the best part – you can also indulge in a sumptuous, freshly prepared dinner and even pair it with refreshing drinks!

Human rendition of the Aurora Borealis

It was only last Monday when Tasmania saw the most enchanting Southern Lights in history. Veteran light watchers have described the phenomenon to be the best one they have seen over the course of their light-watching years! Some even said that watching the display made them feel lucky to be alive! But these are nothing but the stuff of fantasy for us Sydneysiders – no more! Swiss artist Dan Archer has reimagined the Northern Lights in his own rights, over the natural grounds of Centennial Vineyards. A work of art – this feat is touted as the next step in technology. The little shifts in the movement, colour, and light density of the light beams give birth to infinite variations! Step aside, Arctic!

Animal lanterns

Vivid Sydney isn’t the only event lighting up the city this winter. From the 12th of May through June 3rd, the Sydney Zoo will replicate a mythical garden complete with a number of eye-catching night and wild activities ideal for the whole family. We’re talking life-sized glowing animals, a massive 8-lane superslide, dodgems and rides for kids, neon arcades, an after-dark aquarium, and much more! Explore all this and more while feasting on a vibrant variety of food and drinks in the company of some friendly critters!

Brilliantly terrifying audio trip

Darkfield’s shipping containers use a carefully curated, sensory deprived setting to transport your mind (maybe your body too!) into a world of a dreamlike state. After a brief hiatus, the terrifying containers are back in Sydney, this time with more bone-chilling narratives than before. Darkfield’s all experiences involve you sitting in complete darkness with headphones on for 360° audio, and then elevating you to a higher, scarier, unfamiliar plane! Along with two notable, eerie experiences the Seance and Flight, they have introduced two new, even more bizarre and immersive audio experiences, Eulogy and Coma – pick your poison!