Chinese New Year party hits top gear

A lion dance draws the crowds at the base of the Sky Tower. Photo / Chris Loufte

Today marks the biggest day of Chinese New Year celebrations with plenty of festivities to ensure good luck for the year.

Celebrations kicked off yesterday at SkyCity, with lion dancers, stilt walkers and a Sky Tower glowing red and gold.

Check out our Chinese New Year interactive

A SkyCity spokeswoman said Chinese New Year's Eve was traditionally much quieter than New Year's Day, which is today.

"It's kind of like our Christmas Day where you spend time with friends and family," she said. "Usually you'll go out for dinner, though."

To mark the new year, the Chinese God of Fortune will descend from the Sky Tower and present people with lucky red envelopes.

This will be followed by a display of firecrackers, lion dancers, acrobats and stilt walkers.

For good luck, a Chinese calligrapher will write people's names in a special script to display in their homes.

There would also be an auspicious painting of the eye ceremony, to encourage good luck for this year.

Chinese New Year festivities continue until February 22.