Sydney offers largest New Year celebrations outside China

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore announcing details of 2014 Chinese New Year Festival program at a Taoist temple in the heart of the city on 17 January 2014. [Photo/City of Sydney]

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Australia's biggest city, Sydney is about to stage one of the world's largest Lunar New Year celebrations with more than 80 performances, activities and art shows to welcome the Year of Horse.

From 24 January to 9 February, Sydney's streets will come to life with the sights, smells and tastes of what is said to be the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside China. It is expected to attract more than 600,000 visitors from Sydney, interstate and overseas.

The festivities begin with a launch party at the Chinese New Year Markets in Belmore Park, where spectators will be treated with break dancing, traditional drumming, swirling lions and non-stop Asian pop.

Other program events include a Dragon Ball, featuring Chinese retro glamour and tunes of a big band, and the southern hemisphere's largest dragon boat race where 12-metre-long boats will battle it out in front of spectators on Cockle Bay.

Some of Sydney's best-loved Asian restaurants will also be serving up delicious meals throughout the 17-day-long celebration.

The climax is expected on February 2 when more than 3,000 performers in dazzling costumes take to the streets with live music, colorful animated projections and floats in the hugely popular annual Twilight Parade.

The City of Sydney Creative Director Gill Minervini says she hopes the festival will reflect the character of Sydney and the Year of Horse which is energetic, majestic and fun loving.