Lunar New Year 2025: Central Texans kick off the Year of the Snake [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texans and people around the world are celebrating the first day of the Lunar New Year on Wednesday.

Sometimes referred to as the “Chinese New Year,” the Lunar New Year celebrates the first new moon of the lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for 15 days.

2025 is the Year of the Snake, which means a time for wisdom, transformation and shedding bad energy. 

“What I love about it is that a lot of it is about togetherness and getting a fresh start to the new year,” Pei Sim said. 

Sim, who owns the local small business The Paper + Craft Pantry, said the hallmarks of the tradition include lucky colors, like red, orange and gold. 

She also said she has custom-designed red envelopes this year. The red packets are traditionally …