As Auckland’s clocks struck midnight, the city ushered in the New Year a full 18 hours ahead of the iconic ball drop in New York’s Times Square.
From Sydney to Paris, and all the way to New York City, people across the globe welcomed the New Year with vibrant celebrations. Some cities dazzled with spectacular fireworks and light shows, while others opted for a more restrained observance.
In Japan, the New Year was marked by the resonating sound of temple bells at midnight. Enthusiasts climbed mountains to witness the first sunrise of the year. Meanwhile, in Dubai, a captivating light show featured jet skis performing somersaults across the water. Paris illuminated the Arc de Triomphe with a countdown to 2026, and Moscow’s residents celebrated amidst falling snow.
In Times Square, New York City, revelers braved the icy temperatures to participate in the famed tradition of the New Year’s Eve ball drop.
On the shores of Rio de Janeiro, an enormous crowd gathered along over four kilometers (approximately 2.5 miles) of Copacabana Beach. They enjoyed concerts and a dazzling 12-minute fireworks display, even as high tides and large waves challenged the fireworks-laden barges.
Some celebrations were more muted. In Hong Kong, the festivities were limited due to a recent tragic fire in an apartment complex that claimed the lives of 161 people. Australia, meanwhile, welcomed the New Year with a sense of defiance, coming less than a month after experiencing its deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades.
Ball drop in New York City
Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Year’s Eve ball covered in more than 5,000 crystals descended down a pole and confetti fell in Times Square.
Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound (5,602-kilograms) ball drop. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennon’s “Imagine” just before midnight.
The television hosts interviewed visitors who were attending from such places as Florida, Mexico and South Korea, and read people’s wishes for the new year. A sixth grader from Dallas, Texas, told one of the hosts that he wants to get good grades in 2026 and have a better year.
Police in the city had planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the ball drop, with “mobile screening teams.” It was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Moments after the ball dropped it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.
A few miles away in a decommissioned subway station, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor during a private event just after midnight Thursday.
More security in Sydney
A heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks in Sydney. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event, after two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15.
An hour before midnight, victims were commemorated with a minute of silence, and the crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns had urged residents not to stay away from festivities, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds as a victory: “We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime.”
Shadows of war and disasters
Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra a month ago that killed over 1,100. Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with traditional dances.
Hong Kong rang in 2026 without fireworks over Victoria Harbor after the massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks were turned into countdown clocks and a light show at midnight.
And in Gaza, Palestinians said they hope the new year brings 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.
Around Europe
Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile. Fireworks erupted over European landmarks, from the Colosseum in Rome to the London Eye.
In Paris, revelers converged around the glittering Champs-Élysées avenue. 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.”
In Scotland, where New Year’s is known as Hogmanay, First Minister John Swinney urged Scots to follow the message of “Auld Lang Syne” by national poet Robert Burns and show small acts of kindness.
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in capitals. Officials said the change was intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets.
Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
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