Millions of people in Asia and the world welcome the Lunar New Year, which coincides with the first new moon of the lunar calendar.
The most important event of the year for many in Asia and some Asian communities around the world, the Lunar New Year is a new start for those who are celebrating.
Fireworks, music, fairs, lanterns, dragon and lions dance streets in Asia when celebrations began, which usually last about 15 days.
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In Beijing China, performers took the stage to celebrate the beginning of the year of the snake.
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Stilin Walkers joined a parade through a park in Beijing.
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Candles were illuminated in a Chinese temple in Yangon, Myanmar.
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A woman prays at a sanctuary in Bangkok …
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While others pose for photos to share with friends and family.
Juni Jriswant/AFP
Prayers are offered at the Hong San Quo Temple in Surabaya in Indonesia.
Chaiiders Mahyuddin/AFP
The dancers perform the lion’s dance in a band as people gather to watch.
Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters
In the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, worshipers gather in the Taoist temple of sin Sze Si Ya to celebrate and pray.
Eloise Lopez/Reuters
Dragon dancers make their way down the streets of Manila as the fireworks explode around them.
Eastern Matahari/AFP
Big candles are illuminated temple Darma Ramsay to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
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The dancers wearing lion costumes are presented during the holiday of the midnight moon New Year in Chinatown in New York.
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Florence Lo/Reuters
Nyein Chan Naing/EPA-EFE
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Juni Jriswant/AFP
Chaiiders Mahyuddin/AFP
Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters
Eloise Lopez/Reuters
Eastern Matahari/AFP
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