Lunar New Year celebrations begin with parade in Philadelphia's Chinatown neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Tuesday marks the start of Lunar New Year, the year of the horse in the Chinese zodiac.

There was a midnight celebration in the Chinatown section of Philadelphia, which included a parade, fireworks, and dancing.

The 15-day spring festival is considered the most important event of the year in China and Chinese communities around the world.

Common traditions include a big family dinner, cash gifts in red packets for children, and deep cleaning to get rid of last year's bad luck.