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

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 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.

Lunar New Year designs often feature cute depictions of the year's Chinese zodiac animal. But making a snake cute is a challenge, artists say, resulting in an array of biologically inaccurate renderings.

Also known as Chinese New Year, it marks the beginning of the lunar new year based on the lunar calendar, typically falling between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20.

Lunar New Year Festival helped ring in the Year of the Snake on Saturday at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center.

Over 1 billion people celebrate the holiday, which marks the transition from cold winter to a season of renewal and ushers in one of 12 Chinese zodiac signs.

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

Many Chinese who work in bigger cities return home during the eight-day national holiday in what is described as the world's biggest annual movement of humanity.