New Year's Eve Celebration Around the World

Many East Asian countries and Asian communities around the world are preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Snake. Lunar New Year in countries such as Vietnam, China, South Korea and many other Asian countries will begin on January 29, kicking off the festivities with many customs and parties.

In the photo, a lion dance team performs in the Thai capital Bangkok on January 28.

Thailand has about 10 million ethnic Chinese, accounting for 11-14% of the population. The Thai government recently recommended that ethnic Chinese in the country limit the burning of votive paper and incense, in order to reduce dangerous fine dust and limit the risk of fires in major cities during the Lunar New Year 2025.

Chinese people take photos in Foshan city, Guangdong province

Chinese officials estimate that about 9 billion trips will be made this year during Chunyun, the peak travel season before the Lunar New Year when people return home or go on vacation. Last year, the country recorded more than 8.4 billion trips.

Families have a reunion dinner at a restaurant in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China.

People visit Yokohama Mazu Miao Shrine ahead of the New Year in Chinatown in Yokohama, Japan on January 28.

Japan used to celebrate Lunar New Year like many Asian countries until 1873, when the country adopted the Gregorian calendar in an effort to integrate with the West.

Today, some places in Japan still celebrate Lunar New Year, such as Chinatowns or the Ryukyu Islands. Although Lunar New Year has been abandoned, Japanese people still retain many of the same New Year customs as other Asian countries.

Chinese Cambodians perform a dragon dance in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on January 28.

Snake statues are on sale in Chinatown in the Philippine capital Manila.

People take photos in front of a decoration to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Surabaya, Indonesia on January 27.

Despite being the world's largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia celebrates Lunar New Year as a national holiday. The ethnic Chinese community, which accounts for about 1.2% of Indonesia's population, is also the world's fourth-largest overseas Chinese community.