Organisers of the Vivid Sydney 2014 event conducted a test of all the spectacular light installations ahead of the opening of the annual festival.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said that Vivid Sydney will light up the Harbour City like never before.

Offering a glimpse of the spectacle that will greet visitors to this year’s Festival, Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Customs House and the newest addition, Harbour Lights, were lit up for a short period this week in preparation for Lights On at 6pm on Friday 23rd May.

According to Mr Stoner, Vivid Light has increased dramatically in size from last year and will illuminate the harbour and city in a way never seen before. He observes that the cutting edge displays create an amazing and unique experience for Vivid Sydney festival goers and are set to thrill the crowds along the foreshore and throughout Sydney.

Mr Stoner adds that the fantastic, free, family-friendly event, Vivid Sydney, is bigger and better this year, giving festival goers even more reasons to stay longer and enjoy their Sydney winter experience. Last year more than 800,000 people came to Vivid Sydney, which contributed over $20 million in new money to NSW and also showcased Sydney to the world.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase said this year is promising the biggest and brightest Vivid Sydney in the festival’s six-year history. Visitors to Vivid Sydney are in for a huge visual treat, with projections, installations and light art works set to amaze like never before.

On Monday night, the Harbour Bridge (with the installation called Colour The Bridge) and Harbour Lights were tested, turning the world’s largest coat-hanger into the most colourful, and ferries and boats across the harbour into a symphony of satellite-controlled colours, both installations masterminded by 32 Hundred Lighting and Intel.

North Sydney Mayor, Jilly Gibson encouraged everyone to kick off their Vivid Sydney experience north of the bridge, which she said has been specially planned with families in mind.

On Tuesday night, Darling Harbour’s Vivid Aquatique water show was tested with dancing fountains, lasers and 3D water projections created by the famous French masters, Aquatique Show International.

Installations across the harbour foreshore were also switched on for testing, giving passers-by a sneak peak of what is ahead for 18 nights, from 23 May to 9 June.

Catherine Gallagher, CEO, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, said Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is very proud to be a Vivid Sydney partner as it showcases their iconic precincts of The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

Vivid Sydney in Darling Harbour was made possible by a collaboration between Destination NSW, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and the Darling Harbour Alliance.

Vivid Sydney 2014 opens Friday 23rd May, with Lights On from 6pm. The full Vivid Sydney program is available at http://vividsydney.com.