New Year’s Eve around the world

Matthew Tuckerand

Lucy Talavera

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during Australia’s New Year’s Day celebrations

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during Australia's New Year's Day celebrations. The ship is anchored in the harbor facing the fireworks display. — Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during Australia’s New Year’s Day celebrations

As midnight strikes in different time zones, countries around the world welcome the New Year.

Kiritimati, an atoll in the remote Pacific nation of Kiribati, became the first to enter 2026. One visitor there told us he marked it as “on a beach with no satellites, no signs of human life, complete darkness and countless crabs.”

New Zealand followed suit, welcoming the New Year with fireworks in Auckland.

Fireworks display on top of Auckland’s Sky Tower welcomes New Year

Auckland city skyline and fireworks display from the top of the Sky Tower — Fireworks display on top of Auckland’s Sky Tower welcomes New Year

Australia then lights up the sky above the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge.

AFP via Getty Images Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during Australia's New Year's Day celebrations

People enjoy the New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Sydney Opera House in Australia on December 31, 2025.

In Sydney, celebrations were tempered by sadness as the nation reflected on the December 14 Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people.

At 23:00 local time, Sydney Harbor fell into silence for a minute as crowds held up lights to mourn the Bundy victims. Menorahs are projected onto the pylons of the Harbor Bridge.

A message reading “Peace, Unity” was projected onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge as the city waited for the countdown to midnight

AFP via Getty Images A message read "peace, unity" Projection onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge — A message reading “Peace, Unity” was projected onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge as the city waited for the countdown to midnight

In Sydney, spectators used mobile phone lights to pay tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack on New Year’s Eve

EPA A group of spectators use their mobile phones to shine lights in memory of the victims of the Bondi terror attack during New Year's Eve celebrations at Lady Macquarie Point in Sydney, Australia — In Sydney, spectators used mobile phone lights to pay tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack on New Year’s Eve

An image of a menorah is projected onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

Elsewhere, there were more fireworks displays on Singapore’s Marina Bay waterfront.

Fireworks light up the sky over Singapore's Marina Bay waterfront to celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 at midnight.

Fireworks complement the lights of skyscrapers in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Fireworks explode above skyscrapers during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Thousands of people line up along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River as Thailand welcomes New Year.

Fireworks over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand illuminate the skyline and boats

In Hong Kong, spectators wore beautiful headdresses to enjoy live performances.

AFP/Getty Images People watch live performances and light shows during New Year's Day celebrations in Hong Kong on January 1, 2026.

The Great Wall at Juyongguan in Beijing lights up.

On December 31, 2025, the 2026 Beijing New Year countdown celebration was held at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing, China.

Laser lights illuminate the night sky above Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Seoul, South Korea.

AFP via Getty Images Laser lights illuminate the midnight sky over the Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Seoul, South Korea

Artists perform during the countdown to the New Year at Bosingakkan in Seoul.

EPA Korean artists perform on stage during the New Year's Eve countdown event held at Bosingak Pavilion in Seoul, South Korea on December 31, 2025. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the year of the red horse.

A busker showed off her fiery skills at Dublin’s Parade of Light before heading to a matinee countdown concert at Dublin Castle.

PA Media A street performer takes part in Dublin's March of Light. She's holding a device with fire on the end

In other parts of the world, countries celebrate the upcoming New Year with their own traditions.

Clothed and unclothed revelers took part in traditional sea bathing on a nude beach in Cap d’Agde in southern France to celebrate the New Year.

AFP/Getty Images A group of people wearing Santa hats and swimsuits take selfies in the sea with thumbs up

Swimmers at the Islands Brygge Harbor Bath in Copenhagen, Denmark, also braved the frigid waters for a traditional splashing activity known as “Nytaarsbad.”

A group of people jumping and splashing in a cold pool

In Omen, the Netherlands, local residents watched the annual calcium carbide shooting – a New Year’s Eve tradition that turns milk jugs into cannons.

In Omen, Netherlands, milk jugs set a football on fire from the end.

Milk jug sets football on fire from end in Omen, Netherlands, as family looks on

In Osaka, Japan, young women dressed in traditional kimonos participate in a Shinto ceremonial procession at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest shrines, to celebrate the end of the year.