Lunar New Year Celebrations Around the World

Lunar New Year is truly a global celebration, and while festivities in cities around the world may look slightly different, key traditions such as red lanterns, brightly colored flowers, dragon dances and more remain the same.

In China, Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. It's the biggest holiday of the year in Beijing and a prime time to visit the city.

Chinese New Year is also a massive celebration in Shanghai. Fireworks light up the sky during the celebration, which takes place in the winter, so the weather can be quite cold.

Each year, Hong Kong honors Lunar New Year with a spectacular display of fireworks along the waterfront, a long-standing tradition in the city which has a host of other events that take place during the month-long celebration.

Lantern baskets are a popular gift during Chinese New Year and can be filled with treats. In Xining, the basket was used as inspiration to create a bright Lunar New Year art installation in Xining Center.

The Lion Dance is a tradition for the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year in China, and it is performed worldwide for good luck as the lion is viewed as an auspicious animal.

Red lanterns are used solely for decoration in the modern era and are widely displayed in celebration throughout the year, including Lunar New Year.

Tet is one of the largest celebrations in Vietnam and also one of the most popular. Like Chinese New Year, the celebration honors the Lunar New Year and is celebrated on the first day of the Vietnamese calendar.

The art of paper cutting is a Chinese tradition invented by the Eastern Han Dynasty before spreading to other parts of the world. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, this paper-cutting display was done to honor Lunar New Year.

Many families bring flowers into the house during Lunar New Year as a symbol of rebirth and new growth. Azaleas, peonies and water lilies are considered especially auspicious.

Yaowaraj is the official Chinatown of Bangkok and ground zero for Chinese New Year's celebrations in the Thai capital city. The streets come to life with dragon dances, fireworks, bustling shoppers and more.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Penang, Malaysia, includes a hot air balloon fiesta, the Kek Lok Si Temple Display of Lights, a celebration in the Heritage Precinct and more.

In Yokohama, Japan, the Lunar New Year celebration takes over Chinatown. The event honoring the Spring Festival includes lion and dragon dances, parades in imperial dress, illuminated displays and more on the main street.

Chinese New Year's celebrations light up Singapore. One of the most exciting events is the Chingay Parade at the Formula One Pit Building by the Marina Bay Waterfront but visitors will also want to stop in Chinatown where a festive and lively atmosphere is ongoing throughout.

Major cities around the world also honor the traditions of Lunar New Year. In Paris, the Chinese New Year parade in the 13th Arrondissement is one of the city's oldest, drawing large crowds plus a series of festive events and exhibitions. Festive cultural celebrations also take place in the 3rd Arrondissement.

Festivities and cultural events take place throughout New York City for Chinese New Year. The eight-day-long festival features art exhibitions, a light show, the Lunar New Year Dragon Dance & National Dance Institute Year of the Dog Dance at Lincoln Center Plaza, the New York Philharmonic Lunar New Year Concert, Gala at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center and more.

Chinese New Year is one of the most exciting and colorful events in London during February. Head to London's Chinatown for a variety of events including an annual parade and also check out cultural displays at museums such as Museum of London Docklands.

Sydney, Australia, hosts one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of Asia. The festivities include fireworks over the Harbour Bridge, Lunar Lantern exhibitions, a parade and a festival.

San Francisco's Lunar New Year Parade dates back to the 1860s and is also home to the oldest Chinatown in the U.S. The Grand Parade is the culmination of the Lunar New Year celebration.

Each year, the streets of Chinatown are closed for the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade, which takes place on Broadway. The Golden Dragon Parade is more than 100 years old and includes more than two dozen floats, marching bands, entertainers, local dignitaries and more.

A roster of events welcome the Chinese New Year in Melbourne, Australia. One of the biggest takes place on Chinese New Year's Day with celebrations that include traditional dance, music and cultural activities as well as fireworks at Queensbridge Square.

In Vancouver, people celebrate Chinese New Year rain or shine. The annual Chinese New Year's Parade takes place in Chinatown.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Helsinki is an outdoor event that begins with a parade from Narinkka Square to Keskuskatu. It's followed by a variety of activities, including musical performances from the Beijing Chinese Orchestra, a dragon dance, free ice skating, dances and more.

Head to Nieuwmarkt in the center of Amsterdam to take in Chinese New Year's celebrations. Lion and dragon dances take place on the Friday and Saturday closest to the beginning of the festival.

Philadelphia has a roster of events to welcome in the Lunar New Year. Celebrations include dumpling-making parties, festivals, galas, a Lion Dance Parade and more.

Edmonton, Canada, takes its Chinese New Year celebrations seriously with a series of events that unfold at the West Edmonton Mall. The event features parades, performances, appearances by local officials and more.

In Taiwan, the Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year and marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. These painted lanterns adorn the Pu Ji Temple in Tainan.

Towns large and small join in the celebrations across the U.S. Bellevue, Washington honors Lunar New Year with an event at Bellevue Square in Center Court, for example.

In Las Vegas, the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is decorated yearly to honor Chinese New Year. The display runs throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations, bringing prosperity and good fortune to visitors.

Disneyland also honors the Lunar New Year in a special way. The celebration takes place at Disney's California Adventure park. Visitors can join in the fun during Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession, the GuGu Gum Drop, and the Hurry Home Lunar New Year nighttime water show.