30 photos show how people are celebrating the 2025 Lunar New Year around the world
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.
Around the world, cities celebrate Lunar New Year in unique ways, blending cultural traditions with contemporary festivities. Some families gather for feasts, exchanging gifts in red envelopes and enjoying symbolic foods like gold ingot dumplings and sweet rice balls, while others take to the streets to enjoy a parade of performances.
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.
In Solo City, Indonesia, a devotee lit incense sticks at the Tien Kok Sie temple.
In La Paz, Bolivia, children performed a coordinated martial arts sequence as part of a Lunar New Year celebration event.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, people celebrated by lighting sparklers near the Dvortsovy Drawbridge.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, people on a bus were seen holding a dragon puppet during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
In New York City, people gathered to watch dancers in lion costumes perform at a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in Chinatown.
In Guangzhou, China, crowds gathered to watch the lantern fair at Yuexiu Park.
In Manila, Philippines, a performer breathed fire during Lunar New Year celebrations in Binondo district.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, people gathered in the Thamel tourist district to watch folk artists perform a dragon dance.
In Yangon, Myanmar, Chinese artists performed in a parade in Chinatown.
In Kolkata, India, the Chinese community celebrated by taking to the streets, beating drums, and performing a dragon dance.
In London's Chinatown, some people strolled through the streets, taking in the festive decorations, while others were seen eating together.
In Taipei, a couple shopped for traditional decor before the festivities began.
In Yokohama, Japan, people gathered and snapped photos during a lion dance performance at Mazu Miao Temple.
In Phnom Prasith, Cambodia, people prayed and burned incense for blessings.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a worker set up lantern decorations for the Lunar New Year celebrations.
In Bangkok, lion dancers leaped onto poles during a performance on Khao San Road, a popular tourist spot.
In Baiguo Village, China, a lady made red Ciba — a traditional rice cake dyed with red food coloring— before the Chinese Spring Festival.
In Melbourne, Australia, a lion and dragon dance was performed outside the Rod Laver Arena on day 14 of the 2025 Australian Open.
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.
In Toronto, people gathered to watch the fireworks outside the Toronto City Hall.
In South Tangerang, Indonesia, young figure skaters performed at a shopping mall.
In Hanoi, Vietnam, a woman and her granddaughter shopped at the Tet market.
In Singapore, devotees visited the Leong Nam temple on the eve of the Lunar New Year to pray and welcome the god of wealth.
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.
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.
In Havana, people welcomed the Lunar New Year by hosting a traditional dragon dance at a restaurant in Chinatown.
In Yuncheng, China, streets glowed with colorful lanterns as visitors strolled past them at Zhongxing National Mining Park in Shanxi Province.
In Moscow, a trio of Chinese face-changing entertainers performed Bian Lian, a dramatic dance form in which performers change multiple masks.
In Beijing, a woman wrote her wishes for the new year on a red cloth roll outside the Dongyue Temple.
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