A spectacular fireworks display will mark the official opening of Cork as European Capital of Culture 2005 on January 8th.
Some 80,000 people are expected to participate in the ceremonies, which will include a street carnival featuring 180 performers from all over the world.
The President, Mrs McAleese, will officially open Cork as the European Capital of Culture at a civic reception in City Hall.
The ceremony will include the premiere of a specially commissioned theatrical production, The Red Sun, written by Ray Scannell, which will include 106 children from Cork's Children's Chorus.
The centre-piece performance will be the National Lottery/Cork 2005 Awakening Ceremony and Fireworks.
Devised by street theatre company, Waterford Spraoi, "Awakening" will bring to life a huge serpent stretching over 600 metres of the Lee.
As it rises up from the river, the serpent will span three city centre bridges in an explosion of light and fire with water effects, pyrotechnics, music, image projection and physical theatre.
Over the weekend a carnival featuring 180 street performers on nine stages will bring the streets to life with the sound of samba music and urban drum and bass.
"Cork, Ireland and Europe will be watching on January 8th and we are ready to perform in such a way that will live up to the excitement, energy and entertainment that is Cork 2005," director Mr John Kennedy said yesterday.
"The Lee is central to the pulse point of Cork life and we are very excited about marking the beginning of such a momentous year by presenting the river, the harbour and Cork's own myths in the most contemporary of ways.We will open Cork 2005 in a surge of creativity which will continue throughout the year and beyond."