In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world

By Matthew Tucker and Lucy Talavera

As the clock struck midnight, ushering in a new year, celebrations erupted across the globe, painting the skies with fireworks and filling the streets with joyous crowds. From the remote shores of the Pacific to the bustling metropolises of Europe and Asia, the world collectively rang in 2026 with a spectacular array of traditions and festivities.

The island of Kiritimati, an atoll in the remote Pacific nation of Kiribati, held the honor of being the first place on Earth to welcome the New Year. For one fortunate tourist, the transition was marked "on a beach with no satellites, no signs of human life, complete darkness and countless crabs," a truly unique and isolated beginning to the year.

In the United Kingdom, London’s iconic skyline was illuminated by thousands of fireworks, drawing crowds to witness the dazzling spectacle. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, the renowned Hogmanay celebrations continued with gusto, as revelers gathered in defiance of weather warnings, embracing the spirit of Scotland’s legendary New Year’s Eve traditions. New York City’s Times Square pulsed with energy as the famed ball drop commenced, accompanied by a cascade of confetti and the roar of an estimated million-strong crowd, all eager to usher in 2026. Mayor Eric Adams himself pressed the button to initiate the iconic descent of the ball, marking the culmination of a year and the hopeful beginning of another.

Australia kicked off the global celebrations with its world-famous fireworks display over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The vibrant pyrotechnics lit up the night sky, reflecting the optimism and excitement of a nation welcoming the new year. However, the festivities in Sydney were underscored by a poignant moment of reflection. In the wake of the tragic Bondi Beach attack on December 14th, which claimed 15 lives, a minute of silence was observed at 23:00 local time. Spectators in Sydney Harbour held their lights aloft, creating a sea of luminescence in memory of the victims. Adding to the solemnity, a Jewish menorah was projected onto the pylons of the Harbour Bridge, a symbol of hope and remembrance.

Elsewhere, the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil aimed to surpass its own 2024 Guinness World Record for the largest New Year’s Eve celebration, which saw an estimated 2.5 million people gather. The Copacabana beach was a spectacle of light and sound, with a particularly impressive pyrotechnic display that illuminated the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

Across Asia, the New Year was met with equal fervor. Singapore’s Marina Bay Waterfront dazzled with fireworks, mirroring the brilliant lights of its skyscrapers. In the Philippines, Makati, Metro Manila, showcased a breathtaking display of fireworks that rivaled the urban luminescence. Thailand welcomed 2026 with thousands lining the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, their faces turned towards the sky as fireworks painted the cityscape. Hong Kong’s spectators were treated to live performances and a dazzling light show, with many donning eye-catching headwear to mark the occasion. In Beijing, China, the historic Juyongguan Great Wall was dramatically illuminated, providing a stunning backdrop to the New Year’s Eve countdown. South Korea’s capital, Seoul, saw laser lights dance across the night sky, originating from the Lotte World Tower, the nation’s tallest building. Earlier in the evening, at the Bosingak pavilion, artists performed traditional dances as part of the New Year’s Eve countdown ceremony.

Europe embraced the New Year with its own unique traditions. Berlin, Germany, celebrated beneath the Brandenburg Gate with a vibrant fireworks display. Paris, France, saw crowds gather on the Champs-Elysees avenue, where a spectacular light show and fireworks illuminated the Arc de Triomphe. In London, fireworks exploded over the iconic Big Ben, marking the arrival of 2026. The London Eye was also bathed in the colorful glow of the pyrotechnic spectacle. Edinburgh, Scotland, renowned for its Hogmanay celebrations, saw fireworks light up the sky above the historic Edinburgh Castle. Ireland’s capital, Dublin, witnessed a street performer showcasing her fiery talents as part of the Procession of Light, leading up to the Matinee Countdown Concert in Dublin Castle. In Denmark, the brave residents of Copenhagen plunged into the icy waters of Islands Brygge Harbour Bath for the traditional "Nytaarsbad," or New Year’s splash. Further afield in Ommen, the Netherlands, locals upheld the unique tradition of carbide shooting, transforming milk cans into makeshift cannons that produced loud bangs and impressive flames. In Krakow, Poland, the streets of the Old Town were alive with the traditional Krakow New Year’s Run, where participants, some in elaborate costumes, braved the December chill.

In Bali, Indonesia, a heartwarming tradition unfolded in Denpasar. Adults and children performed a traditional dance to symbolically "release the sun of 2025 and welcome the sun of 2026," a beautiful ritual to mark the transition. Meanwhile, in Osaka, Japan, young women adorned in traditional kimonos participated in a Shinto ritual procession at Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan’s most ancient shrines, to bid farewell to the old year.

The global tapestry of New Year’s celebrations showcased not only the shared human desire for joy and new beginnings but also the rich cultural diversity that defines our world. Each firework, each song, each tradition, contributed to a collective moment of hope and optimism as humanity stepped forward into a new year.