Vivid Sydney’s pop-culture fest lights up the city — with music and ideas too

Vivid Sydney is back – with more massive light art installations, musical performances and TED Talks-style idea panels.

The free winter festival (remember it’s winter Down Under) began last Friday and continues through June 18.

There’s a lot this pop-culture fest has to offer, including nightly light installations being projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House, a new Bjork Digital project from the Icelandic pop singer, silent disco concerts and creative idea sessions that cover everything from Big Data to big business.

In all, visitors can check out 90 light installations on landmarks and buildings around the city, 1,500 hours of musical programs and 170 events, a Vivid Sydney statement says.

Here are some of the highlights:

--Light projections on the Sydney Opera House this year are inspired by indigenous cultures in a work called “Songlines.” During the festival, which began May 27, the Opera House offers evening backstage tours ($165 per person) to get a firsthand look at the sets and stages where musicians perform.

--The light show continues at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, which has been transformed into a canvas as artwork emerges on the building’s surface. The museum extends its hours to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays during Vivid Sydney.

--Visitors can take a free Vivid Light Walk around the lights at the city’s waterfront.

--The Bjork Digital project at the multimedia museum Carriageworks features a virtual reality experience based on videos and collaborations the singer has created with other artists. Bjork is scheduled to appear Friday to spin some disks and get the party started.

--American director Spike Jonze is set to appear Sunday, and “Orange Is the New Black” creator Jenji Kohan is to speak June 10 ($25 each). There are lots of free storytelling panels, a $10 film festival and workshops on things such as crowdfunding for social good and a zine fair.

If you’re lucky enough to be going to Sydney during the festival, check out the complete list of events for Vivid Sydney 2016.

ALSO

Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay is No. 1 on list of America’s top 10 beaches

It’s back to where it all began at the DeLorean Eurofest

Hawaii: 5 things not to miss at Honolulu’s big Pan-Pacific Festival

Why not spend New Year’s Eve at this party in Havana, Cuba