NSW Government pushes Vivid Sydney back to September

Ongoing lockdowns in Sydney have claimed another victim, with the NSW Government delaying the Vivid Sydney festival, which was set to take place from August 6 to 28.

The event, which includes live music performances and a number of panels and events centred on the arts and entertainment, is now scheduled to take place from September 17 through to October 9.

The Government noted the event will only proceed "if it's safe to do so".

Sydney is currently facing a five-week lockdown, which currently extends out until the end of July. There is no certainty yet around whether this will be extended further.

Minister for jobs, investment, tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said Destination NSW will continue to work with NSW Health and other agencies to deliver a COVID-Safe Vivid Sydney later this year.

"We want to see Sydney shine through the spectacular show of creativity and innovation that is Vivid Sydney in September and October this year," he said.

"The recent outbreak has presented a new challenge for everyone, and the health and safety of our citizens and entire event community involved in Vivid Sydney is our foremost concern."

Full details of the revised Vivid Sydney 2021 program will be available online in the coming weeks as venues and event owners finalise logistics.

Ticketholders will be able to transfer their ticket to the new event date or request a refund via the relevant ticket agency.

The festival is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government through Destination NSW, and in 2019 - the last time it was staged - it delivered $172 million in expenditure to the NSW visitor economy.