Sydney is set to come alive as the latest instalment of the annual Vivid festival is hailed a "cost-of-living buster" at a time when many families are struggling to pay the bills.
Kicking off on Friday, the 23-night carnival will transform the harbour city with its signature public light installations, as well as a new music venue boasting international acts.
Nearly 3.5 million people attended the 2023 edition, a mark that organisers say might be hard to top.
But with many of the events and experiences free, NSW Tourism Minister John Graham celebrated the fact that no potential guest would be priced out.
“We know families are doing it tough and this is not only the biggest cost of living-buster of a party in Sydney, but in the southern hemisphere,” he said on Wednesday.
“Last year’s (attendance) was a record and up significantly from anything we'd ever seen … it'll be hard to beat that record, but if it's going to be beaten, this will be the year it happens.”
Organisers say the 2024 light shows “emphasise works of grand scale, interactivity and profound meaning”.
They include one installation featuring rainbow lasers that fan out from Sydney Tower, the city's tallest structure.
A 10-minute looping soundtrack for the light displays, composed by 20-year-old student Bailey Pickles, will be available for visitors to listen to through the festival's Cinewav app.
The newly-opened Machine Hall Precinct, a city-centre site in a former electricity substation, will act as the festival's home of music.
A few kilometres away, the Goods Line will host the Vivid Fire Kitchen and a nightly food celebration of "the universal language of barbecue”.
There will be a strong police presence, although organisers stressed there were no extra safety concerns after a series of high-profile, public attacks in Sydney.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said people needed to be aware of their surroundings while at the event after officers identified a gang of pickpockets targeting visitors last year.
“Whenever we have events of this nature, there are people who will try and take advantage … if you see something, say something, keep your goods and valuables safe,” he said.
Transport NSW is putting on 2100 extra services - 1300 buses and 400 trains and ferries - to cater for the influx of people into the city.
The festival will run until June 15.
