A new “internationally acclaimed” light display at Australia’s brightest festival has angered Sydneysiders who have slammed the event for steering away from a “free” family night out.
Sellout global sensation Lightscape premiered at Sydney’s Vivid on Friday at the city’s Royal Botanic Gardens and is expected to draw large crowds.
The experience boasts “glowing tree canopies filled with colour” and invites guests to stroll under the 2.1km-long spectacle while soaking in the soundscape and light works created by local and international artists.
But while tourists and cash-rich Australians who toured the site on the first three nights of the two-month event raved about the display, not all have welcomed the “outrageous” entry prices.
The public will no longer have access to the garden after 5pm as Lightscape will be kicking off for ticket holders from 5.30pm.
Individual tickets start from $24 for a child, $34 for an adult and can cost a family of four as much as $128, depending on when guests attend.
Ticket prices cost more on peak nights between Wednesday and Sunday, compared to off-peak nights on Monday and Tuesday.
There is also a $4 per person surcharge for guests purchasing their tickets at the on-site box office, with those planning to attend the event encouraged to buy their tickets online.
A ticket for an adult ranges between $34 and $44, depending on whether it was purchased online or not and whether it is for peak or off-peak.
The marquee joins two other ticketed events which form part of Vivid, including the light show at Taronga Zoo and a new installation below Wynyard Station.
While tickets are supposedly “selling fast” based on feedback from the festival’s website, news that the once free installation is now a monetised event has left some visitors disappointed.
“I couldn’t believe it! It used to be free to walk through that whole area; now they’re asking for – I think it was $40? The outrage,” one Sydneysider posted to Reddit, which led to dozens of people sharing similar opinions.
“I really wanted to go see this but $40+ that’s robbery. It’s absurd. Maybe $10 I’d pay but over 40 you’re taking the p**s,” a second person said.
Another wrote: “$128 for a family of four is pretty expensive, especially at a time like this.”
Similar sentiments were echoed on TikTok, with podcaster Sonny-Joe Flanagan sharing a video of the Lightscape ticket pricing sign as large crowds stood outside the Botanic Gardens.
“When everyone gets to Vivid this year, they charge $116 (for members and friends of the Botanic Gardens at the box office) to look at the lights and stuff, everyone’s so cranky,” he said.
In response, Sydney Girl magazine editor Noels Marie said she was “so disappointed” in the pricing.
“Vivid was supposed to be an event for everyone to enjoy and a chance to have families enjoy a night out that wouldn’t be so costly,” she said.
Meanwhile others criticised the lack of accessible pricing for seniors or concession card holders, as well as the “crazy” cost for young children.
“I notice no price for concessions so if you’re old and on the pension you can’t afford it,” one woman commented.
Another added: “$28 for a three-year-old, how?”
But not all were critical of the expense, with some arguing that crowd control, additional light effects and effort put into the display made the ticket cost worth it.
“I thought it was expensive too but paid anyway; it was 1000 per cent worth it,” one Lightscape attendee commented.
“Inside [it was] quiet, beautiful, well done with bars, marshmallow roasting fire pits and mulled wine. 10/10.”
“I went last night and honestly for $40 to enjoy the vivid experience without the wall-to-wall crowds that were in Circular Quay was entirely worth it,” another visitor said.
“It took us over an hour to go through the whole thing and felt like value for money to be honest.”
A Destination NSW spokesperson said while Lightscape is a paid event, “the vast majority of the festival has been, and continues to be, free for all to enjoy”.
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“In addition to the free 8.5 kilometre Vivid Light Walk stretching from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station, with 57 light installations and 3D projections, Vivid Sydney offers a number of free events, music gigs and talks across the Vivid Ideas, Music and Food Pillars,”the spokesperson said.
“The 2023 Vivid Music line-up includes a free program of high profile First Nations and contemporary artists at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour and throughout The Goods Line. “Six Vivid Sydney Drone shows, featuring more than 1,000 drones, will take place at Sydney Cove to entertain thousands of visitors. In addition, much beloved Australian children’s acts kick off the free entertainment before the lights turn on, every Saturday from 5:00pm at Tumbalong Park.”
Vivid Sydney will run until June 17, and features more than 300 light, food and music activations and events across a 23-day program, with most of its 50-plus light displays free to view.
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