Vivid Sydney’s food and drink program has announced more exclusive events, including Neon Dreams in Darling Harbour, a luminescent, homage to the 1950’s diner, and a 23-night program of events in Surry Hills, featuring two street parties: Hollywood Dreaming: A Taste of HQ and Hollywood Dreaming: Foy Lane Lights Up.

Transforming the Pier Street underpass in Darling Harbour, Neon Dreams will offer festivalgoers rebellious and wildly delicious takes on American diner staples courtesy of Shannon Martinez, the revolutionary force behind plant-based cuisine in Australia, all served up with a side of roller skating and low-waste, foraged cocktails.

Using ethically sourced ingredients and native botanicals, expect sips like lemon myrtle margaritas and Illawarra plum sours.

Neon Dreams isn’t your average diner. Visitors can also glide onto the roller rink, a 1950’s inspired playground complete with a grounded mail plane turned DJ booth.

Martinez’s menu feature twists on classic favourites, including juicy burgers, creamy mac and cheese, plus jelly donuts all crafted with a focus on big, unapologetic flavours.

Martinez said: “We all know and love the classic American diner menu, and what we have planned for Neon Dreams will be even more delicious. You won’t even notice it’s completely plant based. All this with a retro aviation fitout and some roller-skating, let’s just say Vivid Sydney hasn’t seen anything like this before.”

The party continues in Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter with Hollywood Dreaming, a vibrant celebration of film, performance, music, food and drink experiences, which will light up the Quarter throughout Vivid Sydney 2025.

Food and drink offerings from Firedoor, Nomad, Gildas, Nel, Kiln, Poly, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Alberto’s Lounge, Tio’s Cerveceria, and Butter will be available from the chefs that put them on the map; Lennox Hastie, Nelly Robinson, Mat Lindsay, Andy Bowdy, and Julian Cincotta.

Leading the series of events for Hollywood Dreaming are one-of-a-kind and free street parties A Taste of HQ on Saturday, 31 May and Foy Lane Lights Up on Saturday, 14 June.

A Taste of HQ will see Foster Street closed to traffic, turning into a pedestrian al fresco dining utopia combined with live music and roving performances.

The closing night of Vivid Sydney will see Foy Lane Lights Up, a vibrant laneway party also in Sydney’s Hollywood Quarter and will include a curated digital art show, pop-up snacks, and live music all produced by the Ace Hotel.

Foy Lane Lights Up cements the outdoor location as one of the city’s most innovative party hotspots, previously hosting Mince OpenAir during Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras earlier this year.

Other events as part of Hollywood Dreaming include The Neon Trail, as the precinct glows with iconic movie titles, The Food Trail, showcasing the best restaurants and bars serving up exclusive menus, and The Gig Trail, with performances at Hollywood Hotel, Paramount House Hotel Rooftop and Butter.

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “In 2025, Vivid Food offers a range of experiences for all tastes and price points. Neon Dreams and the Hollywood Dreaming program are perfect examples of Vivid Sydney constantly innovating and providing visitors with new and financially accessible experiences.

“Darling Harbour will be the place for family friendly fun, with Neon Dreams surrounded by captivating light installations and free live music. Shannon Martinez is an absolute rock star in the culinary world, and we’re excited for visitors to experience it for themselves.

“After dark, Surry Hills will come alive throughout the entire festival for Hollywood Dreaming, where you can dine, drink and dance your way through the Hollywood Quarter.”

Neon Dreams is produced by award-winning sustainability focused mobile bar service, Trolley’d. Hollywood Dreaming events A Taste of HQ and Foy Lane Lights Up is part of the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW.

Owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney will be held from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June. For more information and to plan your visit, head to vividsydney.com,

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