People around the world began celebrating the Chinese New Year last week. Firecrackers, dancers and colorful parades like this one in Beijing, China, kicked off the Year of the Goat. The Chinese New Year is the oldest and most important holiday in China. The exact date it begins changes from year to year, based on the cycles of the moon. Joyful celebrations will last 15 days, beginning with the new moon and ending on the full moon.