Take a look back at the festive celebrations for Chinese New Year in New York City’s Chinatown over the years.

Aglow with lights, Chinatown's dragon snakes through the streets to chase away the evil spirits and climax the week-long celebration of the New Year in 1955.
Aglow with lights, Chinatown’s dragon snakes through the streets to chase away the evil spirits and climax the week-long celebration of the New Year in 1955.
A dragon chases a resident in New York's Chinatown during New Year celebrations on Feb.  17, 1980. Festivities generally last for two weeks.
A dragon chases a resident in New York’s Chinatown during New Year celebrations on Feb. 17, 1980. Festivities generally last for two weeks.
Children take a closer look at a dragon taking part in the New Year parade on Feb.  6, 1978. Chinese New Year is a holiday in which people honor their household and heavenly deities, as well as their ancestors.  It is a time for families to celebrate and come together.
Children take a closer look at a dragon taking part in the New Year parade on Feb. 6, 1978. Chinese New Year is a holiday in which people honor their household and heavenly deities, as well as their ancestors. It is a time for families to celebrate and come together.
Locals hang lanterns and banners during New Year celebrations in New York City's Chinatown in 1909.
Locals hang lanterns and banners during New Year celebrations in New York City’s Chinatown in 1909.
Cymbals clang and the firecrackers go bang as Chinatown celebrates the advent of the Chinese year 4634. This dragon is one of many that dance along Mott St.  as crowds look on.
Cymbals clang and the firecrackers go bang as Chinatown celebrates the advent of the Chinese year 4634. This dragon is one of many that dance along Mott St. as crowds look on.
Children listen as a woman tells a story over dinner during the New Year in New York on Jan.  29, 1978.
Children listen as a woman tells a story over dinner during the New Year in New York on Jan. 29, 1978.
Fireworks go off in the street during Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, New York in 1982.
Fireworks go off in the street during Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, New York in 1982.
The streets come alive as New Yorkers celebrate Chinese New Year on Mott St.  Lettering on the banners was made of US currency.
The streets come alive as New Yorkers celebrate Chinese New Year on Mott St. Lettering on the banners was made of US currency.
Chinatown residents usher in the year 4630 of the old calendar.  Parading lions gather contributions from store keepers.  Photo shows one of the
Chinatown residents usher in the year 4630 of the old calendar. Parading lions gather contributions from storekeepers. The photo shows one of the “lions” about to receive a contribution. It may be seen on a string directly above the lion’s head. An orange and some money are tied to a string and the lion “eats it.”
A young girl in costume covers her ears as fireworks go off during New Year celebration in Chinatown, New York City.
A young girl in costume covers her ears as fireworks go off during New Year celebration in Chinatown, New York City.
The Dance of the dragon, symbolic of the coming of the celestial New Year, escorted by members of the On Leong Tong through the crowded side-streets of New York, Chinatown.  Hundreds of residents took part in the colorful ceremony which continues for several days, with the traditional Chinese feats.
The Dance of the dragon, symbolic of the coming of the celestial New Year, escorted by members of the On Leong Tong through the crowded side-streets of New York, Chinatown. Hundreds of residents took part in the colorful ceremony which continues for several days, with the traditional Chinese feats.
Residents carry a dragon through Chinatown to scare the evil spirits away during the New Year celebrations in Chinatown, New York.
Residents carry a dragon through Chinatown to scare the evil spirits away during the New Year celebrations in Chinatown, New York.
A policeman walks through a crowd of youngsters in Chinatown, New York during Chinese New Year.
A policeman walks through a crowd of youngsters in Chinatown, New York during Chinese New Year.
A person wearing a dragon head mask marches in the Chinese New Year's Parade as people stand in the streets to watch in Chinatown, New York City.
A person wearing a dragon head mask marches in the Chinese New Year’s Parade as people stand in the streets to watch in Chinatown, New York City.
Students perform a play for Chinese New Year.
Students perform a play for Chinese New Year.
Karen Lee does a ribbon dance during a Chinese New Year celebration.
Karen Lee does a ribbon dance during a Chinese New Year celebration.
A lion dancer peeks out from his costume to watch the festivities as the year 4702, The Year of the Monkey, is ushered in during celebrations at Chatham Square in Chinatown.
A lion dancer peeks out from his costume to watch the festivities as the year 4702, The Year of the Monkey, is ushered in during celebrations at Chatham Square in Chinatown.
Women dressed in traditional outfits march along Mott St.  during the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown in 2007.
Women dressed in traditional outfits march along Mott St. during the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown in 2007.
One-year-old Justin Xie looks down at a sea of ​​confetti created by exploding firecrackers during Chinese New Year celebrations at Chatham Square in Chinatown, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dog.
One-year-old Justin Xie looks down at a sea of ​​confetti created by exploding firecrackers during Chinese New Year celebrations at Chatham Square in Chinatown, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dog.
Confetti rains down on crowds gathered for the Chinese New Year Parade on Mott St.  in Chinatown.
Confetti rains down on crowds gathered for the Chinese New Year Parade on Mott St. in Chinatown.
Lion and dragon dancers perform for the crowd during opening ceremonies to celebrate the Year of the Monkey at the corner of Canal and Mott St.  in Chinatown on Jan.  17, 2004.
Lion and dragon dancers perform for the crowd during opening ceremonies to celebrate the Year of the Monkey at the corner of Canal and Mott St. in Chinatown on Jan. 17, 2004.