The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a traditional Asian celebration that has been observed in for thousands of years. Every winter, Asian communities around the world ring in the Lunar New Year with carnivals, food, family gatherings, parades and more.

For skywatchers, the Lunar New Year lines up perfectly with the new moon. According to NASA, the new moon becomes official at 7:36 a.m. Wednesday when it passes between the Earth and the Sun.

One well-known ancient legend speaks of Nian, a hideous monster that feasted on human flesh on New Year’s Day. Because the beast feared the color red, loud noises and fire, people put up red paper dragons on their doors, burned red lanterns all night and set off firecrackers to frighten and chase away the monster.

Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Snake on Wednesday, with events and feasts happening around D.C. over the next two-plus weeks. Pro tip: Many events are free, especially around the Smithsonian,

From lucky foods to traditional greetings, we answer your questions about Lunar New Year as we enter 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.

The Lunar New Year usually starts sometime between late January and mid-February. This year, the festivities begin on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake. In mainland China, official celebrations last for seven days as a public holiday.

When is Lunar New Year in 2025? And why do people wear red as part of the celebrations? Answers to these questions and more as we say goodbye to the Dragon and enter the Year of the Snake.

Google is ready to celebrate with an appropriately snake-ified Doodle. In addition to the main Lunar New Year Doodle, Google’s also got a special edition for South Korea. With February creeping up on us quickly,