After being cancelled for two years running during the *ahem* dark days of the pandemic, everyone’s favourite winter lights, music and ideas festival, Vivid, is officially returning to Sydney from May 27.

The annual 23-day festival and arts celebration is enough of a highlight on its own, but this year, Ovolo Woolloomooloo is giving the festival experience a serious glow up with their luxe Vivid Sydney Harbour cruises. 

Running from May 27 through to June 18, the 90-minute cruise on-board classic bridge deck cruiser Suellen takes in some of the city’s most iconic locations – including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison, Garden Island and Cockatoo Island – and offering an ideal view of the festival’s spectacular light displays. 

Related story: Vivid Sydney 2022: The must-see guide to this year’s light festival

Once on-board, guests will enjoy VIP access, handcrafted bottled cocktails and a lush selection of gourmet canapes by Sydney Providore and Three Blind Mice.

The Vivid celebrations continue even after you’ve dropped anchor back at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, with an exclusive Vivid menu and secret cocktails (discoverable only by blue light) at Alibi Bar. 

Hotel and cruise packages* are priced from $899 for two people on Sunday through Thursday and from $1079 Friday and Saturday, with two departure times daily. 

The Vivid Cruise will operate daily throughout Vivid at 5:45pm and 7:45pm. For more info and bookings, head to ovolohotels.com

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* Exclusive to Ovolo Woolloomooloo. Package pricing includes static nightly rates plus Vivid cruise ticket for two guests per room with a $100  food and beverage credit per room. Ovolo inclusions include breakfast and social hour. Selling rate subject to change. Vivid x Ovolo package is ticketed and prepaid and non-refundable. Further terms and conditions may apply.