Chinese New Year 2014 will commence Jan. 31. It is the most significant celebration in China observed worldwide by the Chinese. The 15-day festivities usually start by end of January or first week of February.

People start celebrations with the first new moon of the Lunar New Year and end on the full moon day. Bringing the culture and the joyful spirit of festivities in China to the people in Australia, the island continent also celebrates the Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year 2014 to its fullest.

Marking the auspicious occasion, Sydney is hosting a three-week festival. This is one of the world's largest Lunar New Year festivals outside China.

Sydney's Chinese New Year festival kicked off Jan. 24 and will last by Feb. 9. The Chinese will end their celebration Feb. 15 in their home country this year. Parades, lion dances, shopping, food fests, exhibitions and cultural events are some of the key elements of this festival. All of these can be enjoyed in Australia itself in the Sydney's Chinese New Year festival.

Various events, market places, food fests are being held in various locations in Sydney, Australia. Visit this Web site for more details-sydneychinesenewyear.com

Red is the fundamental color of the decorations and clothing during the Chinese New Year festivities. To immerse itself in the spirit of spring festival, even the iconic Sydney Opera House was dressed in "China red" for the Lunar New Year celebrations Thursday night, Jan. 30.

Onlookers and the passers-by enjoyed a delightful show when the state Premier of NSW Barry O'Farrell and Chinese Consul General Li Huaxin turned on the lasers that transformed the Sydney Opera House's sails into "China red."

"Sydney plays host to the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside of China and this has become an event the NSW community looks forward to each year," Australia's State Premiere Barry O' Farrell said as quoted by Shanghai Daily.

In Melbourne, a 100-meter multicolored dragon was unveiled at Docklands. According to the organizers, the dragon will stay at Docklands until mid-February when the actual celebration of Chinese New Year comes to an end in China.

According to Chinese astrology, Lunar New Year 2014 is the year of the horse. This zodiac animal is the source of inspiration for the grand festival marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

For more information on Chinese New Year 2014, read below:

Chinese New Year 2014: Everything You Need To Know About Lunar New Year And the Year Of the Horse