Vivid Sydney outrage as visitors must now pay to see part of light display

Vivid has sparked outrage after charging an exorbitant admission fee for one of its new attractions.

The event known as Lightscape is being offered to Sydneysiders as part of this year’s Vivid light festival at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

But many have left in disbelief at the hefty ticket prices.

Individual tickets for adults during peak times (Wednesday to Sunday) are $40, while an entire family costs $128 and children can enter for $28.

Those purchasing at the box office on the day will be charged an additional $4 per ticket.

Children under two years old get in for free and members get a $4 discount.

Aussies are shocked by the price of tickets to an event at Sydney’s Vivid

Lightscape is open every evening during Vivid from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

According to the website, the ‘internationally acclaimed’ event should ‘amaze’ visitors.

“Originally created over a decade ago, it has become an international sensation, selling out all over the world,” the description reads.

‘This experience has been developed to enhance the appreciation of Botanic Gardens and the horticultural collections they contain, giving you the chance to embark on a uniquely curated sensory journey through light and sound, transporting you through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as you never seen before, in all its wonder, after the gates should normally be closed.’

Visitors can stroll through the gardens under illuminated canopies “where flashes of light seep through trees like fireworks,” with the entire experience lasting approximately 90 minutes.

But many Sydneysiders have turned on event organizers to charge patrons to walk through the area that was once free.

‘Went yesterday. It’s a nearly hour walk with quite a few displays and WAY better than the ones they had last time,” someone said on Reddit.

“Most of them were fun, I’d say one or two were really fun to watch. The $40 ticket is definitely a stretch in my opinion.”

“It’s not worth paying $40 to be herded like cattle down a crowded trail to look at LEDs that just crashed to the ground,” said another.

Some Sydneysiders pointed out that there were plenty of free rides at Vivid for those unwilling to pay

‘Much better FREE displays in the rest of Sydney which is the intended spirit of the festival,’ said one person.

“I really wanted to go see this, but $40+ that’s theft. It’s absurd. Maybe I’d pay $10, but over 40 you take the p**s,” another wrote.

Others said the event was well worth the price and made the experience much more enjoyable because there were fewer crowds.

‘I’m happy to pay. The last time I went to Vivid at the Botanic Gardens it was CHAOS. If this is their way of reducing the crowds then I get that and I’m happy about it,” said one.

Some Sydneysiders pointed out that there were plenty of free rides for those unwilling to pay.

Lightscape is an international art installation and is offered in conjunction with the Vivid light festival that runs until June 17.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Vivid for comment.