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.
Andres Martinex Casares/EPA-EFE
In Beijing, China, performers took to the stage to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake.
Florence Lo/Reuters
Stilt walkers joined a parade through a park in Beijing.
Nyein Chan Naing/EPA-EFE
Candles were lit at a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
A woman prays at a shrine in Bangkok…
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
While others pose for pictures to share with friends and family.
Juni Jriswanto/AFP
Prayers are offered at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya in Indonesia.
Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP
Dancers perform the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh as people gather to watch.
Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters
In Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur worshippers gather at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.
Eloisa Lopez/Reuters
Dragon dancers make their way through the streets of Manila as firecrackers explode around them.
Timur Matahari/AFP
Large candles are lit Darma Ramsi Temple to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
Adam Gray/Reuters
Dancers wearing lion costumes perform during a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in New York’s Chinatown.
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