More than a billion people across the world, from China to the Philippines to diaspora communities in the United States, began celebrating the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with fireworks, family time and feasts. On Wednesday, the first new moon of the Year of the Snake will mark the imminent arrival of spring.

From narrow side streets to packed malls, the traditional music and dance of dragon puppet performances have filled this bustling city south of Indonesia's capital to usher in the Lunar New Year.

The artistic group ‘Naga Merah Putih’ delighted the public today with a lion and dragon dance performance at a shopping centre in this city of Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. The activity is part of the preparations to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year,

Lunar New Year traditions vary greatly among countries or territories covered by Radio Free Asia and its affiliate, BenarNews. Most of China’s 1.4 billion people as well as Chinese communities around the world observe the Lunar New Year, known as Chunjie, or Spring Festival.

Firecrackers, parades and prayers marked the Lunar New Year as millions around Asia and farther afield celebrated

Speedboat accident On January 29, a tragic incident occurred in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, where a speedboat carrying 16 individuals sank, resulting in four fatalities and four people reported missing.

When is Lunar New Year in 2025? And why do people wear red as part of the celebrations? Answers to these questions and more as we say goodbye to the Dragon and enter the Year of the Snake.

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

The Lunar New Year usually starts sometime between late January and mid-February. This year, the festivities begin on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake. In mainland China, official celebrations last for seven days as a public holiday.

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea, is celebrated in many Asian countries and diaspora communities. It begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon.

For skywatchers, the Lunar New Year lines up perfectly with the new moon. According to NASA, the new moon becomes official at 7:36 a.m. Wednesday when it passes between the Earth and the Sun.

Asian communities across the world prepare to ring in the Lunar New Year each year and 2025 is designated as the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. The snake is known for its wisdom, intuition and strategic approach, all qualities that might offer the perfect road map for navigating your financial journey in the year ahead.