New Year's 2026: Celebrations around the world

New Zealand
Australia
South Korea
Hong Kong
Thailand
United Arab Emirates

The Pacific island nation of Kiribati was the first to ring in the new year, while Alaska and Hawaii will be among the last places to say goodbye to 2025.

New Zealand

At 6 a.m. ET, New Zealand was one of the first countries to reach 2026, ringing in the new year with a fireworks display.

New Zealand is one of the first in the world to celebrate bringing in the new year with a fireworks display.New Year's Eve weather forecast, from rain in the West to snow in the East

Australia

In Australia, fireworks over the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge went along as planned, but law enforcement presence was ramped up in Sydney in the wake of this month's mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.

Hollie Adams/Reuters - PHOTO: Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the New Year in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.

Izhar Khan/Getty Images - PHOTO: Fireworks light up the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2026 in Sydney, Australia.

Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: Molly Taylor-South from the UK poses for a photograph ahead of the fireworks display during New Year's Eve festivities at Mrs Macquaries Chair in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.

Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: Spectators shine light from their mobile phones during a tribute to the victim's of the Bondi terror attack during the New Year's Eve Celebrations at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.

Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: A menorah is projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a tribute to the victim's of the Bondi terror attack during the New Year's Eve Celebrations at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.

Japan

In Tokyo, Japan, revelers rang in 2026 at 10 a.m. ET.

Issei Kato/Reuters - PHOTO: A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026.

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South Korea

In Seoul, South Korea, fireworks were lit over the massive Lotte World Tower.

Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Lotte World Tower, South Korea's tallest building in Seoul during New Year's Day celebrations on January 1, 2026.

China

In Beijing, China, people gathered at one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall.

Lintao Zhang/Getty Images - PHOTO: The 2026 Beijing New Year Countdown celebration at the Juyongguan Great Wall, January 1, 2026 in Beijing, China.

Hong Kong

At 11 a.m. ET, revelers counted down to the new year in Hong Kong.

May James/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Revellers celebrate the New Year during Hong Kong's countdown celebrations in Central, Hong Kong, Jan. 1, 2026.

Thailand

A beautiful fireworks display lit up the sky in Bangkok, Thailand.

Lauren Decicca/Getty Images - PHOTO: Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River to celebrate the new year, January 1, 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

United Arab Emirates

The world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, was the site for New Year's Eve fireworks in Dubai.

Fatima Shbair/AP - PHOTO: Fireworks explode around the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, during New Year's Eve celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 1, 2026.

Qatar

A little boy was lifted in the air to take in the fireworks in Lusail, Qatar.

Mohammed Salem/Reuters - PHOTO: A man holds a child as fireworks explode during New Year's celebrations in Lusail, Qatar, January 1, 2026.

Paris

The sky above the Arc de Triomphe was lit up with a fireworks display as France's capital rang in 2026.

Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters - PHOTO: Fireworks explode at the Arc de Triomphe during the New Year's celebrations on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, on Dec. 31, 2025.

Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA via Shutterstock - PHOTO: Revelers look at a light and fireworks show displayed on the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate the New Year 2026 on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, on Dec. 31, 2025.