Chinese New Year is set to get underway in Sydney in a big way, with organisers of the city's 2017 lunar festival promising the largest celebration of the event outside mainland China.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is scheduled on Monday to announce the full program for Chinese New Year 2017, which will run from January 27 to February 12.
"The festival ... is the biggest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside mainland China," the City of Sydney said in a statement on Sunday.
One major attraction, already announced, are giant lanterns representing animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac that will line the foreshore from the Sydney Opera House to Dawes Point for the duration of the festival.
The 12 lunar lanterns have been exclusively designed for the event by Asian-Australian artists and reach up to 10 metres tall.
The Sydney Opera House is also getting involved, with its Lunar Eats offerings including CNY menu tastings from its on site restaurants.
For foodies, Carriageworks is set to hold a special one-off night market on Saturday in celebration of Chinese New Year, curated by chef Kylie Kwong.
The food-focused event is set to feature more than 50 local providores and restaurateurs, including Good Luck Pinbone, Long Chim, Moon Park and Billy Kwong.
There are also set to be a host of other Chinese-related events, including lion dancers, across the city as Sydney throws itself into celebrating the new year on the mainland calendar.
For some culinary inspiration on how to welcome the year of the rooster, check out these 20 delectable foods to enjoy this CNY.
Chinese New Year 2017:Sydney restaurants to try-Year of the Fire Rooster#cny2017#CNY#yearofroosterhttps://t.co/f1gnpZACru
— Garima Satija (@garima_satija) January 20, 2017
Meanwhile, Melbourne is also about to explode with red and gold as it launches festivities for Chinese New Year.
The Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival runs at numerous locations from January 27 until February 12. The program of activities covers Queensbridge Square through Chinatown to Docklands and the Chinese Museum.
Organisers are promising cultural dance performances, chinese cooking demonstrations, a giant Chai Shen, illuminated art, three oversized Chinese urns and a lion eye dotting ceremony.