After COVID-19 and bushfire fears saw the annual New Year's Eve fireworks display cancelled, the community and Alpine Shire Council decided to instead host a nine-day attraction.

Dinner Plain marketing and events officer for Alpine Shire Council, Nathan Fenton, said the event has been specifically designed to provide a suitable replacement for the fireworks and mass gatherings which usually mark the festive season.

"In the current climate we have to be responsible in the face of increased bushfire risk, and of course COVID-19 restrictions," he said.

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"Dinner Plain is a popular destination for the Christmas holidays and one of the drawcards is the events and activities operating over this period.

"We've challenged ourselves to come up with an event that provides as much spectacle, without the risks attached to fireworks or condensed gatherings."

Mr Fenton said the Festival of Light was unlike anything ever seen in the High Country.

The event runs until January 2.

"When the sun goes down, Dinner Plain will be lit up into something completely unrecognisable to those who have known the village for decades," he said.

"This will be an unmissable grand attraction, for visitors, residents and those in Bright and the valleys as well. We're excited to show off Dinner Plain to locals and visitors alike."