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