Lunar New Year festivals are taking place in China and cities across the world to mark the start of the Chinese New Year.

Among China’s traditional holidays and celebrations, none ranks higher in importance than the Lunar New Year (農曆新年). Also known as the Spring Festival (春節), or simply Chinese New Year, it marks the beginning of the year according to the traditional lunar calendar.

Communities across the world begin celebrating Lunar New Year on Jan. 29 — and 2025 marks the Year of the Snake.

Beijing was gearing up on Friday to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The Chinese Lunar New Year, also called 'Spring Festival', will fall on 29 January 2025, which is the Year of the Snake. Camera: WU HAO.

As Lunar New Year approaches, the once-endangered folk tradition of stilt walking is undergoing something of a revival in China — with Beijing’s encouragement.

Chinese New Year is a festival beyond compare ... of the Ditan Park temple fair on the eve of the Lunar New Year in Beijing. China’s generation of only children is now in their late 30s or ...

Chinese leader Xi Jinping struck a bullish tone during a speech on Monday (Jan 27) ahead of the Chinese New Year, after acknowledging "complex and severe situations" in recent months. Xi addressed the gathering of top Communist Party officials as China gears up for its biggest public holiday,

From Jan 20 to Jan 24, the "Hello, Beijing" inbound travel promotion series of activities was successfully held in Türkiye. The event was hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and organized by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center.

Prayers, lion dances and firecrackers have marked the Year of the Snake as Lunar New Year festivals got under way around the world. The pop-pop-pop of firecrackers greeted the new year outside a temple in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday, followed by lion dances to the rhythmic beat of drums and small cymbals.

The first new moon of the lunar calendar officially ushered in the new year in many cultures Wednesday, marking the imminent arrival of spring and the first day of the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes good luck, rebirth and regality.

A boy jumps to touch red lanterns hung on trees at the Ditan Park ahead of Lunar New Year in Beijing on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) People offer prayers at the Baiyun Taoist Temple ahead of the Lunar New Year in Beijing,