In pictures: Welcoming the Lunar New Year

29 January 2025

Millions of people across Asia and the world are welcoming the Lunar New Year which coincides with the first new moon of the lunar calendar.

Widely considered to be the most important event in the year for many in Asia and some Asian communities worldwide, the Lunar New Year represents a fresh start for those who celebrate.

Fireworks, music, fairs, lanterns, dragon and lion dancing filled streets across Asia as celebrations that typically last about 15 days began.

Performers during celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year at Ditan Park, or Temple of Earth, in Beijing, China — Image caption,
In Beijing, China, performers took to the stage to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake.

Women hold parasols and men walk on stilts Folk at a celebration in Beijing, China — Image caption,
Stilt walkers joined a parade through a park in Beijing.

A woman lights a candle inside a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar — Image caption,
Candles were lit at a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.

A woman prays near to burning incense underneath red lanterns — Image caption,
A woman prays at a shrine in Bangkok...

A woman poses for photos with lit candles at a shrine in Bangkok — Image caption,
While others pose for pictures to share with friends and family.

People stand inline holding incense as they pray at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya — Image caption,
Prayers are offered at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya in Indonesia.

An aerial picture shows dancers performing the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh — Image caption,
Dancers perform the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh as people gather to watch.

Worshippers pray at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya in Kuala Lumpur — Image caption,
In Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur worshippers gather at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.

Dragon dancers perform while firecrackers explode in Binondo, Manila, Philippines — Image caption,
Dragon dancers make their way through the streets of Manila as firecrackers explode around them.

A woman lights a prayer candle at Darma Ramsi Temple in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia — Image caption,
Large candles are lit Darma Ramsi Temple to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

Dancers wearing lion costumes stand under an illuminated sign saying Welcome to Chinatown — Image caption,
Dancers wearing lion costumes perform during a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in New York's Chinatown.

Dancers perform on stage — Image caption,
Dancers perform a traditional dance at Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul, South Korea.

A woman prays while holding incense — Image caption,
A woman holds incense as she prays in Hanoi, Vietnam, where the Lunar New Year celebrations are known as Tet.

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