Although many celebrate the New Year on December 31st, New Yorkers know that this is actually just the beginning of a month full of parties. A few weeks later, starting January 29, the city will once again embark on Lunar New Year, a holiday that originated in China and is celebrated in many countries with large Chinese diaspora populations, including Vietnam and Malaysia.

The holiday lasts about two weeks and ends in New York with a huge parade of lion dancers, drummers and other performers in Chinatown on February 16th.

RECOMMENDED: Why are NYC’s New Year’s Eve fireworks canceled?

The upcoming Lunar New Year is the Year of the Snake, which applies to those born in 1941, 1953, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake represents wisdom and transformation, as animals tend to shed their skin. That means: This year could be a good time to let go of the past and focus entirely on the future.

The 2025 Lunar New Year parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Mott and Canal Streets in Chatham Square and continue down East Broadway before ending next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the parade is the lion dancers’ performance in front of various small businesses throughout Chinatown, a tradition said to bring them good luck and abundance in the coming year. According to ABC News, over 25,000 people are expected to attend the celebration.

It’s never too early to plan. So be sure to keep an eye on our Lunar New Year hub as the date approaches.