People stroll through colorful lantern installations at the 54th Chengdu International Panda Lantern Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China.
Every year, the sighting of the first new moon in January marks the beginning of Lunar New Year.Wednesday marks the first day of the celebrations.From fireworks to dragon dances, here’s how people worldwide are welcoming the Year of the Snake.
Every year in late January, streets transform into a sea of red — lights, lanterns, and even little kids dressed in festive hues signal the start of Lunar New Year celebrations.
A traditional lunar calendar helps predict the start of the new year, with celebrations continuing into February.
The holiday follows a 12-year cycle based on Chinese zodiac signs, with each year linked to a different animal. This year welcomes the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign in the zodiac.
Yet, no matter where it’s celebrated, one thing remains constant: a vibrant shade of red.
Here’s how countries around the world kicked off Lunar New Year celebrations this year.
At a Chinese zoo, an excited tufted capuchin clutched a red envelope filled with festive treats.
A tufted capuchin at the Chongqing Zoo in China received a special red envelope containing delicious food to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
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In Solo City, Indonesia, a devotee lit incense sticks at the Tien Kok Sie temple.
A devotee in Indonesia at the Tien Kok Sie temple in Solo City, Indonesia.
Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images
In La Paz, Bolivia, children performed a coordinated martial arts sequence as part of a Lunar New Year celebration event.
Children performing martial arts during a Lunar New Year celebration in La Paz, Bolivia.
AP Photo/Juan Karita
In St. Petersburg, Russia, people celebrated by lighting sparklers near the Dvortsovy Drawbridge.
The Dvortsovy Drawbridge was illuminated red during the Lunar New Year celebrations in St. Petersburg, Russia.
AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, people on a bus were seen holding a dragon puppet during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
People hold a dragon puppet in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd
In New York City, people gathered to watch dancers in lion costumes perform at a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in Chinatown.
Lion dancers at a Lunar New Year celebration in New York City.
Adam Gray/REUTERS
In Guangzhou, China, crowds gathered to watch the lantern fair at Yuexiu Park.
A lantern fair at Yuexiu Park in Guangzhou, China.
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In Manila, Philippines, a performer breathed fire during Lunar New Year celebrations in Binondo district.
Lunar New Year celebrations in Binondo district in Manila, Philippines.
Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
In Kathmandu, Nepal, people gathered in the Thamel tourist district to watch folk artists perform a dragon dance.
Folk artists in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Cui Nan/China News Service/China News Service/Getty Images
In Yangon, Myanmar, Chinese artists performed in a parade in Chinatown.
A parade of artists at Chinatown in Yangon, Myanmar.
AP Photo/Thein Zaw
In Kolkata, India, the Chinese community celebrated by taking to the streets, beating drums, and performing a dragon dance.
Lunar New Year celebrations in Kolkata, India.
AP Photo/Bikas Das
In London’s Chinatown, some people strolled through the streets, taking in the festive decorations, while others were seen eating together.
Families eating food in Chinatown in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
In Taipei, a couple shopped for traditional decor before the festivities began.
Traditional Lunar New Year decorations at a market in Taipei, Taiwan.
AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying
In Yokohama, Japan, people gathered and snapped photos during a lion dance performance at Mazu Miao Temple.
A lion dance at Mazu Miao Temple in Yokohama, Japan.
Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images
In Phnom Prasith, Cambodia, people prayed and burned incense for blessings.
People pray in Phnom Praseth outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
AP Photo/Heng Sinith
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a worker set up lantern decorations for the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Lantern decorations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mohd Firdaus/NurPhoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images
In Bangkok, lion dancers leaped onto poles during a performance on Khao San Road, a popular tourist spot.
Lion dancers at Khao San Road in Bangkok.
Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto/Getty Images
In Baiguo Village, China, a lady made red Ciba — a traditional rice cake dyed with red food coloring— before the Chinese Spring Festival.
A lady making red ciba, a traditional glutinous rice cake in Tongren, Guizhou Province of China.
Hu Panxue/VCG/VCG via Getty Images
In Melbourne, Australia, a lion and dragon dance was performed outside the Rod Laver Arena on day 14 of the 2025 Australian Open.
A lion and dragon dance performance outside the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Andy Cheung/Getty Images
In Bangkok, a family photographed panda sculptures installed at a shopping mall to celebrate the Lunar New Year and mark the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations.
Panda sculptures at a shopping mall in Bangkok.
Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto/Getty Images
In Toronto, people gathered to watch the fireworks outside the Toronto City Hall.
Fireworks outside Toronto City Hall.
Yu Ruidong/China News Service/China News Service/Getty Images
In South Tangerang, Indonesia, young figure skaters performed at a shopping mall.
Figure skaters at a shopping mall in South Tangerang, Indonesia.
Willy Kurniawan/Reuters
In Hanoi, Vietnam, a woman and her granddaughter shopped at the Tet market.
The Tet market in Hanoi, Vietnam.
AP Photo/Hau Dinh
In Singapore, devotees visited the Leong Nam temple on the eve of the Lunar New Year to pray and welcome the god of wealth.
People at the Leong Nam temple in Singapore.
Caroline Chia/REUTERS
In Wuhu, China, families gathered to enjoy a hearty meal at the Nian Ye Fan, or reunion dinner, at a restaurant on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
A reunion dinner on the eve of Lunar New Year in Wuhu, China.
Xiao Benxiang/VCG/VCG via Getty Images
In Hong Kong, worshippers and actor Lana Wong Wai Lin, center, held toy snakes and burned incense at the Wong Tai Sin Temple to welcome the new Year of the Snake.
Famous Hong Kong actor Lana Wong Wai Lin at the Wong Tai Sin Temple.
AP Photo/Chan Long Hei
In Havana, people welcomed the Lunar New Year by hosting a traditional dragon dance at a restaurant in Chinatown.
A Chinese dragon dance at a restaurant in Havana.
Norlys Perez/REUTERS
In Yuncheng, China, streets glowed with colorful lanterns as visitors strolled past them at Zhongxing National Mining Park in Shanxi Province.
Zhongxing National Mining Park in Yuncheng, China.
Sun Zhongzhe/VCG/Getty Images
In Moscow, a trio of Chinese face-changing entertainers performed Bian Lian, a dramatic dance form in which performers change multiple masks.
Bian Lian performers in Moscow.
Maxim Shemetov/REUTERS
In Beijing, a woman wrote her wishes for the new year on a red cloth roll outside the Dongyue Temple.
A woman writes her wishes at the Dongyue Temple in Beijing.
AP Photo/Andy Wong
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