Premier Campbell Newman threw the switch on the huge lighting and projection project on Friday night, officially turning on the epic installation of more than 13,000 LED lights across 32 city buildings and landmarks.

Creative director Jono Perry said the Paint Your City component allowed anyone to step up to the kiosk in the South Bank cultural forecourt and paint 15 buildings along George Street with a virtual colour palette.

"The buildings initially appear white, you can then choose whatever colours you like, there are a couple of effects like waves," he said.

"Then there's a big "go" button and, as soon as you press it, it fades out the lighting cue that's on the city and it fades up your city."

Mr Perry said those who wanted to prepare or couldn't get down to South Bank in person could take advantage of the online interface, which will allowed you to set your own design and receive a guaranteed time

"We're dedicating the first 10 minutes of every hour to the ones that have been loaded online," he said.

"They can come down and have a look at it if they want, but they also get an email with a snapshot of what it will look like."

The Story Bridge will also be paintable from a control kiosk at the Riverside Centre.

"You can choose one colour, multi-colour, anything you want," Mr Perry said.

"At Vivid in Sydney you can paint the Harbour Bridge, so painting the Story Bridge isn't a first, but being able to paint 15 buildings across your city, that's never been done anywhere else."

Another interactive element is the Where the Forest Meets the Sea projection by local projection artist Andrew Gibb, on the side of the historic Commissariat Stores.

"There's a rainforest scene and there's also an underwater coral scene," he said.

"Using your hands you control a couple of the creatures – a crab, a beetle, different bits of flora and fauna that move and animate within the space when you interact with them."

The grassy square outside the Queen Elizabeth II courts on George Street will transform into the Holding Court projection by Rachael Johnston, which celebrates contemporary art, including a new work by Megan Cope acknowledging southeast Queensland's indigenous nations.

Mr Perry said he added a personal touch to The Changing Face of Brisbane, which is the animated projection onto the Treasury Hotel.

"There are quotes from ZigZag Street [by Brisbane writer Nick Earls] in the projection, there are things about sport, things about South Bank and festivals and the performing arts," he said.

"The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland recorded the soundtrack...it's exciting."

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet budgeted $10 million for G20 Cultural Celebrations, which has funded both the huge lighting installations and three weeks of free concerts, performances, parades, workshops and displays.

Mr Perry said it was a once in a generation opportunity that Brisbanites should get out and enjoy.

"Whatever comes with the G20 you have to embrace the fact that we have this opportunity to show off to the world," he said.

"The fact that it's all free is even better."

The full Colour Me Brisbane program, which runs until November 9, can be found on the G20 Cultural Celebrations website. A downloadable trail map is also available.

Follow #colourmebrisbane and #G20cultural on social networks such as Instagram and Twitter to see the creative output of the city.