The Sky Tower will be lit up in gold and red from this evening to celebrate the the start of the Chinese New Year.

The tower will have a gold base and red top for the next two weeks, but will change temporarily to a rainbow on the night of the Auckland Pride Parade.

SkyCity Auckland will feature lion dancing, acrobatic performances and lanterns during 16 days of celebrations.

Balloon artists will also be on hand to make monkey-shaped balloons, to celebrate the start of the Year of the Monkey.

SkyCity said it lights the Sky Tower for a range of charities and initiatives it financially supports, as well as national holidays and celebrations.