Harbour of Light is a branded light-display experience on Sydney Harbour, most commonly associated with illuminated vessel parades and on‑water light shows produced for major events such as Sydney New Year’s Eve and Vivid Sydney.
Owned by Radhope Pty Ltd (trading as Banks Events)
About Harbour of Light
Harbour of Light refers to a coordinated light-display program on Sydney Harbour, where charter boats and working vessels are fitted with LED lighting and synchronised effects to create a moving light show during major events such as Sydney New Year’s Eve and the Vivid Sydney festival. The on‑water light infrastructure and “Harbour of Light Display” are owned and operated by Banks Events (Radhope Pty Ltd), a specialist marine and major‑events production company that works closely with the City of Sydney and Destination NSW on large harbour events.([banksevents.com.au](https://www.banksevents.com.au/public-events))
A “HARBOUR OF LIGHT” charge on a card statement is typically related to the purchase of a ticket or package for an event that includes participation in, or viewing of, this light display – for example, a New Year’s Eve harbour cruise that is part of the Harbour of Light Parade® flotilla, or a special Vivid Sydney harbour cruise bundled with the on‑water lighting program. In many cases the merchant of record will present using the event/brand name (“HARBOUR OF LIGHT”) rather than the underlying production company’s legal name, which can make the charge appear unfamiliar even though it is connected to a cruise or event you booked.([captaincook.com.au](https://www.captaincook.com.au/whats-on/sydney-new-years-eve/nye-sydney-cruise/?utm_source=openai))
If you are unsure about a Harbour of Light charge, first check your email for tickets or booking confirmations around the event date from any Sydney harbour cruise or event operator, and review your calendar for New Year’s Eve or Vivid‑period activities. The practical point of contact is usually the cruise or event company through whom you booked (their name and booking reference will be on your ticket), but you may also find background information about the Harbour of Light Display and related events via Banks Events and official City of Sydney or Vivid Sydney channels. If the charge still doesn’t match any known purchase, contact your card issuer to request more detail on the underlying merchant ID and to dispute the transaction if necessary.
Bank Statement Variations
1 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Harbour of Light.
What is the ‘Harbour of Light’ charge on my card statement?
The ‘HARBOUR OF LIGHT’ descriptor usually relates to a ticket or package associated with Sydney Harbour light-display events, such as a New Year’s Eve Harbour of Light Parade® cruise or a special Vivid Sydney harbour experience. The merchant name may appear as the event brand rather than the specific cruise operator you booked with, so cross‑check it against any harbour cruise or NYE/Vivid tickets in your email.([datocms-assets.com](https://www.datocms-assets.com/1643/1544070436-final-sydney-nye-2018-event-guide-checked-by-web.pdf?utm_source=openai))
What kinds of purchases typically post as ‘HARBOUR OF LIGHT’?
Typical transactions include New Year’s Eve harbour cruise tickets that participate in the Harbour of Light Parade®, Vivid Sydney harbour-light cruises, or bundled event packages that include on‑water viewing of the light display. These are usually one‑time event purchases rather than ongoing subscriptions, though group bookings may appear as higher‑value single charges.([captaincook.com.au](https://www.captaincook.com.au/whats-on/sydney-new-years-eve/nye-sydney-cruise/?utm_source=openai))
Is ‘Harbour of Light’ a subscription or recurring service?
No, Harbour of Light is associated with specific events and cruises, so charges are generally one‑off transactions tied to a particular date such as New Year’s Eve or nights during the Vivid Sydney festival. If you see multiple similar charges, they may represent separate bookings, add‑ons (like premium seating or catering), or multiple tickets purchased in separate transactions rather than a subscription.([sydneytallships.com.au](https://sydneytallships.com.au/cruise/celebrate-2026-7-new-years-eve-with-sydney-harbour-tall-ships/?utm_source=openai))
How can I confirm which company actually ran my Harbour of Light event or cruise?
Check the confirmation email and tickets for your New Year’s Eve or Vivid harbour cruise; the operating company (for example, a named cruise line or charter operator) will be listed there along with a booking reference. While the payment descriptor might say ‘HARBOUR OF LIGHT’, the operator’s name, phone number and website will be on your ticket and is the best contact for questions about the specific service you received. If you cannot find the email, search your inbox and spam folders around the event date for ‘Sydney Harbour cruise’, ‘NYE cruise’, ‘Vivid Sydney cruise’ or similar phrases.
How do I request a refund or change my Harbour of Light booking?
Refunds, date changes and cancellations are managed by the cruise or event operator that sold you the ticket, not by the Harbour of Light display program itself. Refer to the terms in your booking confirmation for their cancellation and refund policy, then contact that operator directly by phone or email. Many Sydney harbour cruise companies impose strict New Year’s Eve and Vivid cancellation windows, so act quickly if you need to amend a booking.
Why does my statement only say ‘HARBOUR OF LIGHT’ and not the cruise company name?
For branding and reconciliation reasons, some operators process payments under the event or light‑program name rather than their own trading name, causing ‘HARBOUR OF LIGHT’ to appear as the merchant. Behind the scenes, the payment is linked to the specific cruise company’s merchant account and booking reference, which your bank can sometimes see even if it is not shown on your online statement. You can call your card issuer and ask them for any extra merchant details (such as a phone number or full legal name) tied to that transaction to help you match it to a booking.
Who should I contact if I don’t recognise a Harbour of Light charge?
Start by checking your recent travel and event history: did you attend New Year’s Eve or Vivid Sydney in the past few months and take a harbour cruise? If not, call your card issuer and ask for more merchant information linked to the ‘HARBOUR OF LIGHT’ charge. If they confirm it’s associated with a Sydney harbour event you never booked, request that they investigate and, if appropriate, open a dispute. Because Harbour of Light is an event/program brand rather than a direct consumer‑facing ticketing company, your bank is usually the correct first point of contact for unrecognised charges.
Does Harbour of Light place temporary authorisation holds on my card?
In most cases, payments for Harbour of Light‑related cruises or event packages are processed as immediate, one‑time charges. However, depending on the ticketing or booking platform used by the cruise operator, you might see a small temporary authorisation or a pending amount before the final charge posts—this is controlled by the booking system and payment gateway the operator uses, not by the Harbour of Light display itself. Such holds typically clear or convert into the final ticket amount within a few business days.