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Where to celebrate Lunar New Year around the world

By Rachel Chang

Updated January 23, 2025

Dancing dragons, fizzing firecrackers, and red radiating from every corner: This time of year brings a distinctively festive atmosphere to the more than one billion people across the Asian diaspora who welcome a fresh start through Lunar New Year rituals that usher in good luck, health, and fortune. Although each culture has its own take and traditions, most will ring in the Year of the Snake on January 29, 2025, kicking off a 15-day celebration that is largely geared around family gatherings, symbolic foods, and showstopping parades.

As you’ll discover in the guide below, what that means depends on where you are, be it in a city of 24 million in Asia, an enclave of thousands in North America, or even a single street in Singapore, where red envelopes—the time-honored tokens of prosperity—reign supreme. We also dive the go-to desserts (and where to find them) and ask prominent Asian Americans, from comedians to chefs, to share their own Lunar New Year traditions—and their favorite places to experience Asian food and culture.

Chinese traditional dragon lantern illuminated at night

7 Asian destinations for can’t-miss Lunar New Year festivities

From Shanghai to Singapore.

Animated image of chopsticks and lanterns
Performers during Lunar New Year Celebrations in Vancouver.
Performers during Lunar New Year Celebrations in Vancouver.
Image: Destination Vancouver/Rishad Daroo Photography

5 underrated cities to celebrate Lunar New Year

No matter where you go, come with an appetite.

Animated image of chopsticks and lanterns
Woman shopping for Chinese New Year decorations

How Margaret Cho, Dale Talde, and others celebrate

Five people, five Lunar New Year traditions.

Animated image of chopsticks, dumplings, and boba tea
Multi-generational Chinese family enjoying glutinous rice ball, Tang Yuan, dessert during Lunar New Year festival.
Image: Edwin Tan/Getty Images

Your guide to Lunar New Year desserts

From eight-treasure congee to sesame balls.

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Lion dancers in the celebration of Chinese New Year in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

How moving around the world rooted my family to Lunar New Year

Our traditions have taken many years—and many places—to develop.

Animated illustration of coins, red envelopes, and lanterns
Shopping in Singapore’s Chinatown during Lunar New Year

Where to find the best red envelopes in the world

In Singapore’s Chinatown, a single street reigns supreme.

Animated image of chopsticks, dumplings, and boba tea

Bookmark these spots

Dumpling spots for a prosperous New Year

Dive into Asian art, culture, and history

Go deep on these can't-miss tours