Celebrations vary from culture to culture, but typically on the first day of Lunar New Year people visit the senior members of their extended family. One of the most recognizable celebrations is lion dance troupes, a dramatic tradition meant to usher in the New Year and expel evil spirits.

Celebrated across Asia and beyond, it marks the start of a new year based on the cycles of the moon rather than the Gregorian calendar, when the majority of the United States and

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,

Asian American communities around the U.S. and around the world are ringing in the Year of the Snake Wednesday, including in New York City. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival,

Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of the new year. And 2025 will be the Year of the Snake. The Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese Zodiac, starts on Jan. 29 and lasts until the 2026 Lunar New Year's Eve on Feb.

Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 29, beginning the start of a new lunar cycle. The celebration period of Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the year and ends on the date of the first full moon.