New Year welcomed around the world

matthew tuckerAnd

Lucy Talavera

AFP via Getty Images Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year celebrations in Australia. Boats are parked in the harbor opposite the fireworks display. — Fireworks lit up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year celebrations in Australia

Nations around the world welcome the New Year at the stroke of midnight in different time zones.

The island of Kiritimati, an atoll in the remote Pacific nation of Kiribati, was the first to enter 2026. A tourist there told us he spotted it “on a beach with no satellites, no sign of human life, complete darkness, and countless crabs.”

New Zealand soon welcomed the New Year with fireworks in Auckland.

Fireworks display welcomes New Year’s Eve from atop Auckland’s Sky Tower

Shutterstock A city skyline with fireworks from the top of Auckland Sky Tower — Fireworks display welcomes New Year’s Eve from atop Auckland’s Sky Tower

Shutterstock Rings in the New Year with fireworks from atop Auckland Sky Tower

Australia then lit up the sky over the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

AFP via Getty Images Fireworks lit up the midnight sky over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year celebrations in Australia

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

In Sydney, the celebrations were marred with sadness as the attack on Bondi Beach on December 14, in which 15 people were killed, was reflected in the nation.

At 11pm local time, Sydney Harbor fell silent for a minute as crowds lit up the lights to remember Bondi’s victims. A Jewish menorah was projected onto the pillars of the Harbor Bridge.

A message reading “Peace, Unity” was projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbor Bridge as the city awaited the midnight countdown.

AFP via Getty Images Reading a message "Peace, Unity" Projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbor Bridge — A message reading “Peace, Unity” was projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbor Bridge as the city awaited the midnight countdown.

In Sydney, New Year’s Eve spectators flashed their mobile phone lights as they paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack.

A group of spectators beaming from their mobile phones during the EPA New Year's Eve Celebrations commemorating the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia — In Sydney, New Year’s Eve spectators flashed their mobile phone lights as they paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack.

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

Elsewhere, there were more fireworks at Singapore’s Marina Bay Waterfront.

Getty Images Fireworks light up the sky at Marina Bay Waterfront in Singapore to celebrate midnight on New Year's Eve 2026.

The fireworks matched the brightness of skyscraper lights in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Getty Images Fireworks explode over skyscrapers during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Thousands of people lined up at the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok as Thailand welcomed the New Year.

Getty Images Fireworks over the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, Thailand illuminate the skyline and boats

In Dubai, people watched fireworks from the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, after a show with light shows, music and water jets.

Reuters People hold their phones and watch fireworks near the Burj Khalifa during New Year celebrations in Dubai

In Hong Kong, audiences enjoyed live performances wearing hats.

AFP via Getty Images People watch live performances and light show during New Year celebrations in Hong Kong on January 1, 2026.

Juyongguan Great Wall illuminated in Beijing.

Getty Images 2026 Beijing New Year Countdown celebration at Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing, China, on December 31, 2025.

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

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

At the Bosingak pavilion in Seoul, artists performed during the New Year’s countdown.

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

A street performer showed off his fiery skills as part of Dublin’s Procession of Lights before heading to the Matinee Countdown Concert at Dublin Castle.

PA Media A street artist takes part in the Parade of Lights in Dublin. He is holding an apparatus with a fire tip on it.

In other parts of the world, nations celebrated the upcoming new year with their own traditions.

At the nudist beach at Le Cap d’Agde in southern France, clothed and naked revelers took part in traditional sea diving to mark New Year’s celebrations.

AFP via Getty Images Group of people wearing Santa hats and swimsuits take selfie with thumbs up at sea

Swimmers at the Islands Brygge Harbor Bath in Copenhagen, Denmark, also braved the frigid waters for the traditional splash pad known as Nytaarsbad.

Getty Images Group of people splashing in a cold water pool

In Ommen, Netherlands, local residents watched the annual carbine shooting, a tradition of turning milk cartons into balls on New Year’s Eve.

Shutterstock In Ommen, Netherlands, milk cartons ignite footballs with great fire.

Shutterstock In Ommen, Netherlands, milk cartons set footballs on fire as families watch

In Osaka, Japan, young women dressed in traditional kimono take part in a Shinto ritual parade to celebrate the end of the year at Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.