Many New York City families celebrated the start of the Chinese New Year Tuesday at Prospect Park.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the celebration, enjoying a feast and making arts and crafts.

Chinese New Year is a Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. This year marks the year of the pig.

The festival is usually referred to as the Spring Festival in mainland China and is one of several Lunar New Years in Asia.

Children at the celebration were invited to make noisemakers and lanterns in honor of Chinese tradition.