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.

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.

Cuba’s small Chinese community celebrated the Lunar New Year overnight, ushering in the Year of the Snake with a vibrant parade, glowing lanterns, and dragons winding their way through the narrow streets of Chinatown.

Lion dance is performed at a park in Beijing on Jan. 29, 2025, the first day of the Year of the Snake amid Lunar Year celebrations.

Lunar New Year festivals and prayers marked the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield on Wednesday. (AP video shot by Syawalludin Zain, Taijing Wu)