See how the world’s biggest cities rang in the new year
From New York to Paris to Sydney, crowds marked the start of 2026 with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or drumming.
Other cities, however, took a more subdued approach, with some events cancelled due to security concerns, including a concert traditionally held along the Champs-Elysees. Hong Kong held limited celebrations following the fire that ripped through an apartment complex, killing 161 people, in late November.
This is how other cities around the world have celebrated over the past 24 hours, as the new year has reached their time zone.
Auckland (10pm Wednesday AEDT)
Auckland rang in 2026 with a CBD fireworks display launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, making it the first major world city to greet the new year, albeit at a celebration dampened by rain. The five-minute display involved 3500 fireworks launched from various floors of the 240-metre Sky Tower.
All eyes were on Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve, where, weeks on from the Bondi attack, hundreds of thousands of people observed a minute’s silence for the victims.
The crowd held their phone torch lights aloft at 11pm while a menorah was projected onto the Harbour Bridge’s pylons and a dove and the words “peace” and “unity” were displayed. The silent reflection contrasted with the brilliant fireworks display that rang out across the harbour at midnight.
There was a heavy security presence throughout the festivities, with thousands of armed police in attendance to ensure the crowds were safe. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event.
In Melbourne, hundreds of thousands braved a cold evening to watch fireworks displays across the city to ring in the new year. The seven-minute fireworks shows lit up the sky first at 9.30pm, then during the main show at midnight – a spectacular display along the Yarra River.
Tokyo (2am Thursday AEDT)
In Japan, where fireworks aren’t a traditional part of festivities, temple bells rang across the country. People ate noodles in a traditional wish for long life because of the noodles’ shape.
Seoul (2am AEDT)
Thousands gathered at the Bosingak bell pavilion in Seoul, where a bronze bell was struck 33 times at midnight – a tradition rooted in Buddhist cosmology, symbolising the 33 heavens. The chimes are believed to dispel misfortune and welcome peace and prosperity for the year ahead.
Hong Kong (3am AEDT)
In Hong Kong, the annual New Year’s fireworks display was called off after the Wang Fuk Court blaze – the city’s worst fire in decades. Instead, a light show with the theme of “New hopes, new beginnings” transformed facades in the Central district.
Beijing (3am AEDT)
There were celebrations at the Juyong Pass, at the Great Wall of China just outside Beijing, with drummers and a display of computer-generated horses shown over part of the Wall. Revellers wore headgear and waved boards emblazoned with “2026” and the symbol of a horse. February will mark the arrival of the Year of the Horse on the Chinese lunar calendar.
Jakarta and Bali (4am AEDT)
Cities around Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra island a month ago that claimed more than 1100 lives. Concerts and fireworks in Bali were replaced with a cultural event featuring traditional dances.
Dubai (7am AEDT)
A light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as fireworks exploded around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
Moscow (8am AEDT)
Russians celebrated in snowy Moscow, but at Red Square, firework displays were cancelled and the square itself was closed to visitors until 8am on January 1 because of enhanced security.
Kyiv (9am AEDT)
Many Ukrainians lamented that after nearly four years of conflict with Russia, peace still seemed a distant prospect. But wrapped up warm and visiting a Christmas tree set up in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, nine-year-old Olesia was more optimistic. “I think there will be peace in the new year,” she said.
Gaza (9am AEDT)
In Gaza, Palestinians said they hoped the new year brought an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. “The war humiliated us,” said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from the southern city of Rafah.
Berlin (10am AEDT)
Berliners took selfies and made snowmen in front of the German capital’s Brandenburg Gate, where a laser show dazzled revellers at the “Yeah 26” event.
Rome (10am AEDT)
Pope Leo closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile.
Paris (10am AEDT)
In Paris, revellers converged around the glittering Champs-Elysees, despite the cancellation of a New Year’s Eve concert. Taissiya Girda, a 27-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan, expressed hope for a calmer 2026. “I would like to see happy people around me, no war anywhere,” she said. “Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, I want everybody to be happy and in peace.”
London (11am AEDT)
More than 100,000 people gathered along the River Thames in London to hear Big Ben ring in the new year and watch a colourful explosion of fireworks synced to each chime. The fireworks were set off around London’s famous Eye ferris wheel. That was followed by music from a playlist of some of the UK’s top songs of 2025.
New York (4pm AEDT)
Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Year’s Eve ball covered in more than 5000 crystals descended down a pole in Times Square. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennon’s Imagine. After the ball dropped it was scheduled to rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the United States’ upcoming 250th birthday.
Zohran Mamdani took his oath of office at midnight on a centuries-old Koran – marking the first time a mayor of New York has used Islam’s holy text to be sworn in. The ceremony was held in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall.
AP, Reuters
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