Vivid Sydney lights up Sydney - until 9 June

Sydney Opera House for Vivid Sydney 2014, 23 June - 9 May, various locations

It's been an unseasonally warm end to autumn and the month of May but with the kick-off of Vivid Sydney - the 2.5 week-long annual festival of lights, music and ideas - it's basically an unofficial start to winter in Sydney.

'Digital Forest' at Martin Place

This year the festival has expanded into the heart of the CBD, in addition to Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour, with a bit of a hub of light installations, pop-up food stalls and a bar set up in Martin Place, to operate in the evenings for the duration of the festival.

CTA Building at Martin Place

My favourite light feature so far has been the light projection on the uniquely-shaped CTA Building in Martin Place. It's simply mesmerising to watch trees grow and birds fly around the surface of the round building.

CTA Building at Martin Place

Installation at Martin Place

British India jaffle from Jafe Jaffles pop-up in Martin Place

A number of Sydney's food trucks have set up pop-up stalls in the middle of Martin Place (between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets) to feed the light-watching masses.

It's hard to beat a hot, cheesy jaffle on a cool night with plenty of walking, and the British India flavour from Jafe Jaffles (sans Kombi van) hit the spot with butter chicken in crunchy, toasted white bread and a well-seasoned raita yoghurt dip.

Customs House for Vivid Sydney 2014

Sydney Opera House for Vivid Sydney 2014

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Museum of Contemporary Art for Vivid Sydney 2014

'The Pool' at Fleet Park, Circular Quay

There's plenty more to see and do during the festival. See more pictures from Vivid Sydney 2014 on my Facebook page (and Like it while you're there!).