The largest Chinese New Year festival outside Asia has opened with a bang as fireworks lit up Sydney's skyline.
More than a million local and international visitors are expected to attend the 17-day event, with festivities stretching from the stairs of the Opera House to the streets of China Town.
City landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Town Hall will glow red for the first three days of the festival - symbolising good fortune and joy in the year of the Rooster.
Giant zodiac animals have been installed throughout the city as part of the Lunar Lanterns exhibition.
The 12 lanters, some up to 10 metres high, were created by contemporary Chinese Australian artists including Tianli Zu, Laurens Tan and Hu Min.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the city's Lunar New Year celebrations are renowned internationally.
"From its humble beginnings in Chinatown 21 years ago, our annual event has grown to become the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia," Cr Moore said.
"Sydney offers a spectacular and unique way to celebrate the Lunar New Year."
A 50 metre canopy of red lanterns will blanket Martin Place, with nightly entertainment, food and drink beneath.
The event's 21st birthday will be celebrated at Martin Place on February 3, with lion dances, live music and an opportunity for crowds to join in an enormous singalong at 'Massaoke'.
The cultural heart of the festivities, China Town, came alive on Friday night when the festivities began, with fire crackers set off to ward away evil spirits.
Traditional lion dance performances will be held in China Town from Thursday to Sunday throughout the festival.
Meanwhile, the largest dragon boat racing festival in the southern hemisphere will take place in Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour, with 5,000 paddlers set to compete on February 11 and 12.
