After days of preparation, the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off on Thursday in China and across Asia.
The date of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar, indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. That's why the Chinese New Year always falls on different dates in the Western calendar, which is Gregorian.
Celebrations for the Year of the Horse included fireworks, firecrackers, masks, costumes, prayers and colorful light displays. But this year's celebrations were partly dampened by pollution.
Pollution is such a growing problem in China that authorities are considered banning fireworks. Others restrained from using fireworks out of concern for the environment.
Below, we've rounded up 15 pictures that show the festivities in all their glory.
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