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In pictures: Welcoming the Lunar New Year

1 day ago

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.

In Beijing, China, performers took to the stage to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake.

Andres Martinex Casares/EPA-EFE Performers during celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year at Ditan Park, or Temple of Earth, in Beijing, China — In Beijing, China, performers took to the stage to celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake.

Stilt walkers joined a parade through a park in Beijing.

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

Candles were lit at a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.

Nyein Chan Naing/EPA-EFE A woman lights a candle inside a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar — Candles were lit at a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.

A woman prays at a shrine in Bangkok...

Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP A woman prays near to burning incense underneath red lanterns — A woman prays at a shrine in Bangkok...

While others pose for pictures to share with friends and family.

Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP A woman poses for photos with lit candles at a shrine in Bangkok — While others pose for pictures to share with friends and family.

Prayers are offered at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya in Indonesia.

Juni Jriswanto/AFP People stand inline holding incense as they pray at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya — Prayers are offered at the Hong San Koo Tee temple in Surabaya in Indonesia.

Dancers perform the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh as people gather to watch.

Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP An aerial picture shows dancers performing the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh — Dancers perform the Lion Dance in Banda Aceh as people gather to watch.

In Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur worshippers gather at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.

Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters Worshippers pray at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya in Kuala Lumpur — In Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur worshippers gather at the Taoist temple of Sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.

Dragon dancers make their way through the streets of Manila as firecrackers explode around them.

Eloisa Lopez/Reuters Dragon dancers perform while firecrackers explode in Binondo, Manila, Philippines — Dragon dancers make their way through the streets of Manila as firecrackers explode around them.

Large candles are lit Darma Ramsi Temple to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

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

Dancers wearing lion costumes perform during a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in New York's Chinatown.

Adam Gray/Reuters Dancers wearing lion costumes stand under an illuminated sign saying Welcome to Chinatown — Dancers wearing lion costumes perform during a midnight Lunar New Year celebration in New York's Chinatown.

Dancers perform a traditional dance at Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul, South Korea.

Hwawon Ceci Lee/Anadolu via Getty Images Dancers perform on stage — Dancers perform a traditional dance at Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul, South Korea.

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

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