The chance to see thousands of fireworks explode across the autumn night sky - all choreographed to music - is again expected to draw more than 100,000 people to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin for Skyfire 2012 tonight.
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The organiser of the event has also urged parents to be responsible for their own children and ensure they don't participate in under-age drinking.
Thousands of fireworks are now packed on barges on the lake waiting to be shot into the sky in front of an expected crowd of 130,000 people.
Fortunato Foti from Foti International Fireworks said more than 1000 man hours went into creating the spectacle, starting in his Marulan factory and ending with pushing the trigger on the display.
''We've got in excess of 2500 aerial fireworks, 25,000 shooting comets, pretty much 40,000 pyrotechnic effects,'' he said.
The 18-minute fireworks show will start at 8.30pm, the fireworks moving to a soundtrack that is kept secret until the night.
The fireworks are digitally launched, requiring six computers with more than 15,000 metres of cabling. Mr Foti takes about two weeks to program the fireworks.
''I basically just sit there and put in cues for when I want the fireworks to go off depending on what sort of track it is, whether it's by the beat or the mood of the music,'' he said.
Apart from the lake foreshores, other popular viewpoints for the fireworks are Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain, Mount Taylor or Red Hill.
Entertainment will be on stage at Regatta Point from 4pm. Highlights include the X Factor's Johnny Ruffo at 5pm and Justice Crew at 7.30pm.
The Navy 723 Squadron helicopter display team will be completing a spectacular aerial display at 6.10pm while the Australian Federation Guard will perform at 6pm and 7pm.
Skyfire is put on by radio station 104.7. General manager of Canberra FM Radio Eoghan O'Byrne said it was a big night for Canberra.
''I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but the reality is it's always a great event,'' he said. Mr O'Byrne said the organisers had ''zero tolerance'' for under-aged drinking.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting early rain today easing to showers later in the day.
Skyfire spokesman Paul Donohoe said the forecast was still looking good for the fireworks.
''A bit of grey cloud is always better for fireworks anyway,'' he said.
