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Chinese New Year: Colorful festivities for Year of the Dog kick off

Lunar New Year falls on February 16 this year, marking the start of the Year of the Dog

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 13

Chinese performers dressed in traditional costumes perform during a rehearsal of a reenactment of a Qing dynasty (1636-1912) imperial sacrifice ritual to worship the Earth, on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, at Ditan Park in Beijing, China

© EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY

A woman walks past red lanterns hanging from trees to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year at Ditan Park in Beijing, China

© EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY

The Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, falls on February 16 this year and marks the Year of the Dog

© EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY

Ethnic Chinese Thais burn joss sticks at the Leng Nuei Yee Chinese temple in Bangkok, Thailand

© AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

An Indonesian ethnic Chinese worker arranges candles during preparations for the Chinese New Year at a temple in Bogor, Indonesia

© EPA-EFE/ADI WEDA

A group of dancers perform 'Liong' or dragon dance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

© EPA-EFE/MADE NAGI

A Thai worker decorates lanterns for celebrations of Chinese New Year at the Leng Nuei Yee Chinese temple in Bangkok, Thailand

© AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

People walk past dog-themed products at a New Year market in Victoria Park, Hong Kong

© AP Photo/Vincent Yu

A vendor displays Chinese New Year decorations at a market in Victoria Park, Hong Kong

© AP Photo/Vincent Yu

A group of dancers perform 'Liong' or dragon dance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

© EPA-EFE/MADE NAGI

Ethnic Chinese Thais offer incenses during prayers at the Leng Nuei Yee Chinese temple in Bangkok, Thailand

© AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

A woman prays with incense and joss sticks for good fortune to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year at Leng Noei Yi Temple or Dragon Lotus Temple in Chinatown, Bangkok, Thailand

© EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

A giant illuminated dog for the upcoming Year of the Dog is displayed as part of Lunar New Year festivities at Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai, China

Lunar New Year falls on February 16 this year. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2018 will be the Year of the Earth Dog, following the Year of the Fire Rooster in 2017. Lunar New Year is the most important holiday for the Chinese and some of the East and Southeast Asian countries. Celebrations traditionally run from the evening preceding the first day, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month. Lunar New Year preparations — in pictures.

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