In New York City, thousands of people braved freezing temperatures to enjoy a Chinese New Year parade. The annual event winds its way through Manhattan’s historic Chinatown district. This year’s parade celebrated the Year of the Monkey, with hundreds of performers reflecting Chinese and American culture.

The Year of the Monkey began in resounding style in New York City. Temperatures may have been well below freezing, but that did not stop thousands of people heading to Chinatown to enjoy the spectacle-among them, old hands and new faces.

Dancers perform dragon dance during a free community event to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Lincoln Center, New York, Feb. 9, 2016. [Xinhua/Wang Lei]

With more than 70 local groups performing, and around 20 different floats, the parade aims to be a blend of Chinese and American heritage, including everything from sports cars to dragon dances, from uniformed New York policemen to fan-twirling ladies.

The parade on Valentine’s Day is not New York’s only event to honor the lunar holiday as well as the traditional firecrackers ceremony.

Last weekend also saw a spectacular firework display over the Hudson River, to make sure the Year of the Monkey got going with a bang.

Organizers hope that as China plays an ever bigger role on the world stage, events like this can help Americans to understand and appreciate the world’s oldest living civilization and the U.S.’s largest trading partner.