During Lunar New Years, red envelopes filled with money are given to friends and family as a symbol of good wishes for the year ahead.

In 2022, Feb. 1 marked the first day of the Chinese New Year, which follows the lunar calendar. The start date varies from year to year.

A Chinatown vendor sells kumquat trees, decorated with lanterns and red envelopes, to a customer on Jan. 30 as people prepare for the Lunar New Year.

The kumquat plants plants often symbolize wealth and good luck in Chinese culture.

People stroll through the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco, vibrantly decorated with paper lanterns for the Chinese New Year.

Shops display racks of paper decorations for the Year of the Tiger.

During Lunar New Year celebrations, lion dancers operate large, colorful lion costumes as a way to ward off evil.

Lion’s head meatballs are a common dish served on the family dinner table during Lunar New Years, and a popular specialty of Shanghai Dumpling Shop in Millbrae (as pictured).

San Francisco’s Chinatown features a large display of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, which represents courage and strength.

Festive lights decorate houses along Grant Street in San Francisco.

Dim Sum vendors in San Francisco’s Chinatown serve trays of dumplings, taro cakes and noodles to customers.

Many storefronts in San Francisco’s Chinatown offer a variety of red envelopes.

On Feb. 1, leadership hosted a paper lantern crafting activity at lunch to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The Millbrae Cultural Committee hosted a variety of performances during a Lunar New Year festival on Broadway street in Millbrae.

Poon Choi is a festive dish commonly served during Chinese New Year. It features a large pot filled with various vegetables, seafood and meat.

Stalls at the Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival decorate with festive red pennants.

Food vendors set up tents along Broadway street for the 2022 Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival serving various drinks and dishes.

As part of the festivities of the Lunar New Year festival in Millbrae, people crowded around to watch a firecracker being set off. Traditionally in Chinese culture, the loud sounds it creates were intended to scare off evil spirits.

Remnants of the Chinese firecracker blanket the ground.

A dance group performs a fan dance at the Millbrae Lunar New Year festival held on Saturday, Feb. 5.