All the world’s countries have now welcomed in 2026.
Here’s what it looked like across the globe.
Oceania
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First to ring in the New Year were Pacific islands, including Samoa and Kiribati, followed by New Zealand, Australia and parts of Asia.
Image: Auckland fireworks
Victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack were remembered with a minute’s silence during the New Year’s event in Sydney.
Image: Tributes paid to Bondi attack victims. Pic: AP
Image: Sydney
Image: Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour Bridge. Pic: Reuters
Asia
Despite many Asian nations celebrating the Lunar New Year, which takes place in February, the Gregorian New Year of 2026 was warmly heralded across the world’s largest continent.
Japan
Image: Bell-ringing in Tokyo
Beijing
Image: A child poses for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026. Pic: AP
Image: A woman tries to catch falling balloons during the countdown at a Beijing shopping mall. Pic: AP
South Korea
Image: People gather to ring in the new year in South Korea. Pic: AP
Image: Drones light up the night sky to celebrate the New Year in Busan, South Korea. Pic: Yonhap via AP
Image: Drones light up the night sky in Busan, South Korea. Pic: Yonhap via AP
Bangkok
Image: Fireworks explode during celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand. Pic: Reuters
India
Image: People celebrate at a promenade in Mumbai, India. Pic: AP
Qatar
Image: A child looks up as fireworks explode in Lusail, Qatar. Pic: Reuters
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Image: Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Image: Fireworks explode around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in Dubai, UAE. Pic: AP
Image: Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building in Dubai, lit up by fireworks as 2026 arrives
Image: Fireworks light up the sky during New Year celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Pic: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority/Reuters
Philippines
Image: New Year celebration fireworks in Quezon City the Philippines. Pic: Reuters
Africa
Across Africa, fireworks lit up the night sky and illuminated monuments, buildings and ancient sites.
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Egypt
Image: Fireworks over the historical site of the Giza Pyramids, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Pic: AP
Senegal
Image: Fireworks light up the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal. Pic: AP
Nigeria
Image: Revellers attend an event to celebrate the New Year in Jos, central Nigeria. Pic: AP
Kenya
Image: Fireworks explode over the UAP Old Mutual Tower in Nairobi, Kenya. Pic: Reuters
Rwanda
Image: Fireworks explode over the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda. Pic: Reuters
Ivory Coast
Image: People watch fireworks in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Pic: Reuters
Europe
National landmarks were lit up on the continent as some sites were cordoned off.
Berlin
Image: Fireworks explode over the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. Pic: Reuters
Munich
Image: A laser show in Munich. Pic: AP
Stuttgart
Image: Cordoned-off Schlossplatz, where there was no New Year’s Eve party or fireworks. Pic: AP
Barcelona
Image: Drones form the word “Barcelona” in the night sky. Pic: Reuters
Paris
Image: Fireworks over the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Image: Fireworks explode as the word “Paris” is projected onto the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees. Pic: Reuters
Athens
Image: Fireworks explode over Athens. Pic: Reuters
Switzerland
Image: Broom men with masks and air-filled pig bladders for the Achetringele procession in Switzerland. Pic: AP
Lithuania
Image: People celebrate New Year at the Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Lithuania. Pic: AP
London
Image: Big Ben fireworks in London. Pic: AP
Image: Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye. Pic: PA
Image: Houses of Parliament in London illuminated. Pic: Reuters
Image: Fencing in Primrose Hill installed around the park ahead of New Year’s Eve to prevent the public from entering. The Camden park has panoramic views of the capital. Pic: PA
Image: A sign on the fencing around Primrose Hill installed ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Pic: PA
Edinburgh
Image: Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle during the Hogmanay celebrations. Pic: PA
Image: Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle. Pic: PA
Image: Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh. Pic: PA
Image: Fireworks explode over Edinburgh Castle. Pic: PA
North America
The Big Apple was showered in confetti and Donald Trump Jr got birthday well-wishes.
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New York
Image: Confetti drops on people at midnight in Times Square. Pic: Reuters
Image: Confetti fall over attendees in Times Square, New York. Pic: AP
Image: New Year’s Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York. Pic: Reuters
Image: A screen shows a photo of Martin Luther King Jr after the ball drop at Times Square. Pic: Reuters
Florida
Image: Donald Trump delivers remarks as the screen behind him says Happy Birthday (likely for his son, Donald Jr). Pic: Reuters
Las Vegas
Image: Fireworks explode over Las Vegas casinos during New Year celebrations. Pic: AP
South America
Shopping and cheering made their way to South America.
Brazil
Image: Fireworks explode over the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pic: Reuters
Venezuela
Image: People celebrate the New Year in Caracas, Venezuela. Pic: AP/Matias Delacroix
Image: People celebrate the New Year in Caracas, Venezuela. Pic: AP/Matias Delacroix
Peru
Image: A vendor sells New Year’s Eve party goods at a market in downtown Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)
Mexico
Image: A butcher checks the eyes of a pig head as clients buy meat for New Year’s Eve in Mexico City. Pic: AP