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Skyfire 2017: Fireworks, fighter jets and a family fun zone

Canberra's night of lights has arrived and the man behind the fireworks has promised a spectacle.

Skyfire 2017 will feature 20 minutes of fireworks from 8.30pm involving almost four tonnes of explosives synchronised with music from HIT104.7. 

Foti International Fireworks creative director Fortunato Foti advised people to position themselves anywhere along Lake Burley Griffin for a world-class view.

"We've got 11 platforms that spread over 500 metres, so we've got a 500 metre front of fireworks so to speak," he said.

"There's 3000 individual cues that'll trigger 2000 aerial fireworks and 15,000 ground-based effect fireworks.

"There's a nice glittering brocade at the end there that'll fill the night sky. That has a long duration burn so it tends to fill up the sky more than a normal firework does, as well as sizzling comets."

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The fireworks won't be the only things lighting up the sky. The event will feature a Royal Australian Navy 723 Squadron helicopter display and the Snowy Hydro Southcare Rescue Helicopter will conduct a low flyover.

As well, a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet promises to get hearts racing via a jet handling display that will see the aircraft almost reach the speed of sound.

Group captain Pete Mitchell said the Super Hornet was the force's most advanced combat fighter.

"It'll be generically operating east to west, so lengthways across the lake, and repositioning out over the unpopulated areas to do a number of passes across the lake," he said.

Closer to the ground, Australian duo Busby Marou and DJ Horizon will perform and Home and Away stars Jackson Heywood and Penny McNamee will mingle with the crowd.

For the first time children will have access to a family fun zone featuring a jumping castle and obstacle course.

Police have warned underage revellers they face severe consequences if caught drinking. Station sergeant Jason Kennedy encouraged parents to ensure they were well across their teenager's plans.

"Any young person that is found by our teams to be underage drinking will be taken into custody and they will be taken into the city police station where their parents will be called and there may be further action against them," he said.

Sergeant Kennedy also advised people to avoid traffic if possible - and stay patient. A number of roads will be closed throughout the day.

"There will be traffic delays, there will be road closures," he said.

Skyfire 2017 will kick off with a performance from the Navy rock band at 5pm.

Saturday's weather is forecast as a maximum temperature of 24 degrees with a slight chance of shower.