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.

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year based on lunar or lunisolar calendars. It is often referred to as Chinese New Year, especially in China, where it is a major cultural celebration. The festival begins on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and lasts for 15 days,

This week’s new moon, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, will signal the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which this year is called the "Year of the Snake."