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

To welcome the year of the snake, Tet Fest celebrates with authentic food, music and dances. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in the Village de L'Est of New Orleans East, the state's largest Vietnamese community, transforms into a culinary wonderland, offering traditional fare like pandan waffles and pho.

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

Also known as Chinese New Year, the holiday marks the start of the new year in the traditional lunar and solar Chinese calendar.

Firecrackers popped, incense was offered at temples and dancers and drummers paraded Wednesday in Asia and farther afield as millions around the world celebrated the Lunar New

Many people around the world are welcoming the new year with the start of the Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian communities.