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

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

Lunar New Year celebrations begin Wednesday. Here's everything to know about the 2025 Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian communities. Every year is marked by a different animal and 2025 is the Year of the Snake.

Celebrities like Simu Liu, Michelle Yeoh and Sarah Michelle Gellar rang in the 2025 Lunar New Year on Jan. 29, which ushered in the Year of the Snake. See how they celebrated here

Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in Asian societies of the world that were within dynastic China's sphere of influence, or have large Chinese populations. It's why South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore celebrate, but Japan does not. The day before the first new moon of the year is like Thanksgiving.