New Zealand and Australia have become the first countries to ring in the new year with fireworks and light shows.
Countries in the South Pacific Ocean were first to reach 2025, with midnight in and Sydney striking 13 hours and 11 hours before the UK respectively.
More than one million people gathered at Sydney Harbour for the annual fireworks display.
British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong with the crowd featuring his hit Better Man.
Indigenous ceremonies and performances acknowledged the country’s first people.
Fireworks blasted off Sydney Harbour Bridge and across the bay (Photo: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)Thousands of revellers in Auckland counted down to the new year and cheered as colourful fireworks were launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a light show filled the downtown area.
A light display recognised Auckland’s Indigenous tribes, following a year of protests over M*ori rights in the nation.
Much of Japan has shut down ahead of the country’s biggest holiday.
A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building (Photo: REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon)Temples and homes have undergone a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called “tatami” with big sticks.
The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin.
Tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products are being sold in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from January 1.
The NYE fireworks display in Sydney (Photo: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)Crowds in Sydney on New Year’s Eve (Photo: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.
Celebrations in South Korea have been cut back or cancelled in mourning following the Sunday crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people.
In Bangkok, Thailand, two major shopping malls hosted live musical acts and fireworks shows.
People walk through decorated streets during the Lantern Festival ahead of New Year celebrations in Seoul, South Korea (Photo: Antonia Giordano/Anadolu via Getty Images)Icomsiam, one of the venues, is hosting a performance by popular rap singer Lisa, the Thai member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, just before midnight, which is seven hours ahead of the UK.
Indonesian capital Jakarta’s celebrations will feature 800 drones, in addition to fireworks and countdowns to midnight at the city’s iconic Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
In Dubai, thousands are expected to attend an annual fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper.
The fireworks and light show in Melbourne, Australia (Photo: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)Festivities in Rome, Italy, will also mark the start of Pope Francis’ Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration projected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025.
Pope Francis is expected to preside over Mass on New Year’s Day and once again appeal for peace amid wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East.
In the US, the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Minnesota will host an 11pm Mass followed by a champagne reception with toasts.
Many churches will hold vigil Masses on Tuesday afternoon and evening as January 1 is a day of obligation for Catholics, marking the Solemnity of Mary.
In France, Paris will cap 2024 with its traditional festive countdown and fireworks extravaganza on the famed Champs-Élysées.
Rio de Janeiro will throw Brazil’s main New Year’s Eve bash on Copacabana Beach, with plans for a display of light and sounds closely guarded by city officials.
More than two million are expected in the area, which will feature concerts by superstar Brazilian artists such as pop singer Anitta and Grammy-award winner Caetano Veloso.
People wave their smartphones’ flashlights during a New Year’s Eve countdown celebration outside Taipei 101, in Taipei, Taiwan (Photo: Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)In Rio ten offshore ferries will bear 12-minute long fireworks displays , which will be seen up close by thousands of tourists on six cruise ships.
Celebrations in New York City will include the famous ball drop at Times Square, which sees a ball descend a specially designed flagpole.
This year’s celebration will include musical performances by TLC, Jonas Brothers, Rita Ora, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
In Las Vegas, countdowns to midnight in different time zones will be displayed for the first time at the massive Sphere venue.
The city’s annual eight-minute pyrotechnic show will be on in the Las Vegas Strip, with fireworks launched from the rooftops of nine casinos. Some 340,000 people are expected.
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