Light festival transforms Chinese capital

Visitors to Beijing throughout October can enjoy "Together! We Shine!", the theme of the 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival.

The festival blends modern technology, art, and culture to present a dazzling spectacle for both local residents and global visitors.

This year's festival again welcomes internationally renowned director Richard Taylor from New Zealnd and international light art teams, including a Singaporean team, to collaborate on creative design.

Partnering with the China Urban Sculpture Artists Association and China's top eight art academies, the event is showcasing nearly 60 large-scale light and sculpture installations during the festival.

The festival's main venue transforms the Liangma River, its banks, and the adjacent Chaoyang Park into "a luminous wonderland".

Visitors can discover interactive aquatic performances featuring technologically advanced installations like the Blue Whale and Pegasus - mechanical creatures that "swim" across the river.

Other highlights include the BBC Earth Live Symphony Concert, the UK animated family show Shaun the Sheep, and Yin Ge by the Hong Kong Cinema Classics Symphony Concert.

The renovated Shell Theater at Chaoyang Park, Beijing's first outdoor water-based performance space, will officially open to the public during the festival.

Nearby, the floating "Cube" stage on North Lake will create "a dreamlike fusion" with Beijing's iconic skyline.

Over 100 performances will also be presented in collaboration with the 2025 Liangma River Art Season, featuring domestic and international artists.

Events to help warm up Tasmania's winter

The Dark Mofo festival, which started last week, kicks off a series of winter events right around Tasmania. 

Still coming up during the Off Season: music festivals, light shows, whisky and a celebration of chocolate 

The Festival of Voices runs from June 27-July 6 in Hobart celebrates community singing in the heart of winter. Gather round the bonfire for a singalong, connect with Tasmania’s creative community, and take advantage of discounts when booking multiple events. Discover Tasmania: Festival of Voices

Permission to Trespass runs from July 1-31 showcases private properties across Wynyard and Table Cape, sampling regional delicacies over long-table lunches, creative workshops, and Moonlight Stories at Table Cape Lighthouse. Discover Tasmania: Permission to Trespass

Bicheno Beams is held from June 28-July 19 and is an annual gathering  that lights up this relaxed east coast town with technicolour family-friendly festivities. Listen to music composed especially to accompany the laser-light show across the Bicheno skyline. Discover Tasmania: Bicheno Beams

Tasmania Whisky Week Running from August 2-10, this is a treat for lovers of fine spirits, offering access to some of the state's award-winning whiskies. Discover Tasmania: Whisky Week

Beaker Street Festival runs from August 12-19 and is an annual festival of art and science. It is promoted as a "fusion of fun, flavour and learning" where attendees can dive into scientific debates, installations, tours, dinners, live theatre and music. Discover Tasmania: Beaker Street

Also check out the Whole Hog Feast at Lebrina on August 9,  the Burning of the Canes on June 21 at Eastford Creek Vineyard, the Lightwave festival at Nubeena on July 11-13, the Tassie Scallop Fiesta |at Bridport on August 3 and the Chocolate Winterfest in Latrobe on August 10.

For a full listing of Tasmanian itineraries, and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website www.discovertasmania.com.au.

Vivid: Celebrating humanity at a time of peak inhumanity

Vivid Sydney, the southern hemisphere's largest multi-artform festival, has unveiled its program for 2024.

Among the highlights: 40km-long laser beams to be projected from the city's tallest structure, Sydney Tower and 2023 Archibald Prize winner Julia Julia Gutman to transform Sydney Opera House for .Lighting The Sails.

Vivid Fire Kitchen returns in a brand-new space, Budjerah, Mos Def and Air will headline Vivid Music and, bizarrely, there will be an exploration of sex work in Australia's notorious red-light district of Kings Cross.

The run from May 24 to June 15, the festival runs over 23 nights exploring the theme of 'Humanity' through Light, Music, Ideas and Food.

There will be light installations and 3D projections from Circular Quay to The Goods Line; genre-spanning music performances and creative showcases; a Vivid Ideas program and the popular Vivid Food program.

John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy (hell of a job title John) said: “Vivid Sydney is an important event every year that Sydneysiders and visitors alike have come to love.

"It's not just a light show, it's a celebration of light, music, ideas and food - a program full of rich cultural experiences that resonate with locals and visitors alike.

“Vivid Sydney brings together important parts of Sydney's culture - Light, Music, Ideas and Food. It celebrates what's great and unique about our city, and our state and creates a uniquely Sydney experience. That's why it's been so popular over so many years.

“This year's festival will have a variety of free and cost-effective events on offer to provide many opportunities for people to come together and celebrate."

In 2023 the vent drew over 3.48 million attendees generating more than $206 million in visitor expenditure.

Vivid Sydney festival director Gill Minervini said this year's festival looks at how creativity fuels our interconnected world.

“Humanity is at the core of everything we do [duh], and this year Vivid Sydney is diving deep into what makes us uniquely human,” Minervini said.

“We have curated a diverse program that explores the human spirit, designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Everyone is invited to be part of this global event in the world's most beautiful city to connect, create and celebrate.”

Staged across Sydney, Vivid Sydney festival locations and venues include Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, State Library of New South Wales, Walsh Bay, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, University of Technology Sydney, The Goods Line, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Carriageworks.

Tickets are now on sale. For more info see vividsydney.com.