Lighting extravaganza Vivid will return to Sydney in 2018, marking its 10th year of taking the Harbour City hostage. This year’s event will take place from May 25 to June 16, returning to all its expected venues, as well as expanding into new locations.

It’s no surprise that the festival is growing taking into account the considerable revenue it tends to rake in. Last year alone Vivid Sydney welcomed $143 million in visitor expenditure into the NSW economy, courtesy of the 2.33 million attendees.

“Vivid Sydney has delighted and inspired people from around Australia and the world,” says Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall. “With the Festival now in its 10th year, visitors and locals alike can once again expect to be mesmerised by the Vivid Sydney program, with larger installations and a gripping Music and Ideas offering, so I encourage visitors to start planning their trip early to get the most out of this year’s exciting line-up.”

So what exactly can you expect from 2018? The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will introduce a number of different displays – animal-ode Parrot Party, interactive Aqueous, and floral expanse The Bloom. And the Sydney Opera House’s sails will come alive with the vision of award-winning Australian artist Jonathan Zawada. His artwork Metamathemagical is a visual concoction of morphing digital sculptures featuring recognisable Australian motifs across science, nature, and culture.

As for new additions, this year Vivid’s Light Walk will extend into the iconic Luna Park. A large-scale projection will adorn the face of Coney Island, and an LED refit will see its famed ferris wheel sparkle. Kings Cross will also join the Vivid festivities, with its Coca-Cola sign and surrounding Darlinghurst Road adorned in a creative colour show. Neighbouring World Bar is also expected to host a multi-storey house party.

In celebration of the 100th year of May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the facade of Customs House will be adorned in their imagery. It’s a story book of epic proportions – one that’s set to be narrated by actress Noni Hazlehurst.

An impressive array of both international and local talent will round out the offerings at Vivid Music and Vivid Ideas. Rapper Ice Cube, and singer Solange, alongside Australia’s own Daniel Johns and Luke Steele will perform. Creative summit Semi Permanent 2018 will also return for the 16th year, nestled among a busy program that will see Avatar director James Cameron and Mambo founder Dare Jennings take to the stage to share words of wisdom.