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Pigeons fly in front of red paper lanterns, in place for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, in Beijing, February 16, 2015. The Chinese Lunar New Year on Feb. 19 will welcome the Year of the Sheep (also known as the Year of the Goat or Ram). REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New year, is a 15-day festival celebrated around the world. It is the most significant event of the year in their calendar, observed worldwide by the Chinese.

The celebration begins with the first new moon of the Lunar New Year and ends with the full moon day. Spreading the joyful spirit of festivities, the Chinese community in Australia and many Chinese Australian families are taking part in Twilight parade and Dragon races and organising various events.

The Chinese will end their celebration on the New Year day on Feb. 19. However, Australia will continue the celebration until early March. On this occasion, Sydney is hosting a three-week festival beginning from Feb. 13 and ending on March 1. Sydney’s popular restaurants are organising Lunar feasts with “set-price menus” at various locations.

Parades, lion dances, shopping, food fests, exhibitions and cultural events are some of the key elements of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival. A magical Twilight Parade will be held on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 at Sydney Town Hall and there will be Dragon boat races conducted from Saturday, Feb 28, 2015 at Cockle Bay. The details of the various events can be viewed from the website: http://www.sydneychinesenewyear.com/

Meanwhile, the Lantern of the Terracotta Warriors is at display at Hickson Road Reserve as a part of the Chinese New Year festival. This is the first time Sydney is hosting such lantern display that is inspired by the army of Terracotta Warriors. “Sydneysiders and visitors will be enchanted by the beauty of the lanterns that will complement the iconic view of our stunning harbour and Opera House,” Lord Mayor Cloover Moore was quoted as saying by Daily Telegraph.

Red is the colour of decorations and clothing during the festivities of Chinese New Year. To welcome the New Lunar Year, even the iconic Sydney Opera House will change the colour to red. As noted by SBS.com.au, the sails of the opera house will turn red during the event hosted by the Australian Council for Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China on Wednesday 18 February. "The largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of China takes place in Sydney and I look forward to celebrating this auspicious time of year with my Chinese friends,” NSW’s premiere Mike Baird said.

According to the Chinese calendar, this year the world is celebrating the year of sheep/goat. This animal will remain the inspiration of celebration of the Chinese New Year.

For questions or comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at j.kaur@IBTimes.com.au.