Happy New Year! The world welcomes 2025 with fireworks and light shows – National
From Sydney to Vladivostok, communities around the world have begun to welcome 2025 with spectacular light shows, hugs and snow dives.
Auckland was the first major city to celebrate, as thousands crammed into the city or climbed the city's volcanic peaks for a vantage point of the fireworks. A light display that recognizes Aboriginal people.
Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, midnight in New Zealand is 18 hours before the ball goes off in Times Square in New York.
Conflicts have been muted to welcome the new year in places like the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine.
Fireworks went off on the Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the harbour. Over a million Australians and more gather on Sydney's iconic harbor to enjoy the celebration. British pop star Robbie Williams led the crowd.
In this celebration, there were also ceremonies and games of the natives honoring the first people of the country.
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Photo via AP).
Asia is preparing for the Year of the Snake
Much of Japan was shut down ahead of the country's biggest holiday, as temples and homes were thoroughly cleaned.
The coming year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth – a reference to the shedding of the reptile's skin. Shops in Japan, observing the cycle of the stars from Jan. 1, they were selling products with snakes. Some places in Asia will mark the Year of the Snake later in the Lunar New Year.
People visit the Sensoji Buddhist temple on New Year's Eve in Tokyo, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae).
In South Korea, celebrations were canceled or canceled during national mourning following Sunday's Jeju Air crash in Muan that killed 179 people.
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In Bangkok, Thailand, shopping malls rivaled the crowds with live music performances and fireworks displays. The performance of popular rapper Lisa, who is the Thai member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, was scheduled for just before midnight.
People gather at a large business district on New Year's Eve in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana).
A fireworks display in Jakarta, Indonesia featured 800 drones.
China and Russia exchange goodwill
Chinese media have reported New Year's greetings talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a reminder of the growing rapprochement between the leaders who are at loggerheads with the West.
Xi told Putin that their countries “will always move forward together,” the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Revelers ring in the new year during a countdown ceremony in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan).
China has maintained strong ties and trade with Russia since it invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to lift Western sanctions and efforts to isolate Putin.
Xi also addressed Taiwan, an island that is governed by Beijing: “We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of the same family. No one can break the bond of kinship between us.”
In his address to the nation, Putin said that Russia “set great goals and achieved them, and we overcame difficulties more than once because we were together.”
Conflicts cast a shadow over the Middle East
New Year's celebrations are likely to be curtailed in Israel as its conflict with Hamas continues and dozens of hostages remain in custody. Meanwhile, the extent of the famine was hard to gauge in northern Gaza, where thousands have fled an intense Israeli military offensive that aid groups say has prevented aid from being delivered since October.
Many areas in Lebanon were severely damaged during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended with a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Syrians expressed hope and uncertainty after the overthrow of leader Bashar Assad.
In Dubai, thousands attended the fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Emirati men stand on a promenade in front of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, before a New Year's Eve celebration, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri).
Rome's traditional New Year's Eve celebrations have an extra draw: the start of Pope Francis' Holy Year, an annual quarter-long celebration that aims to bring some 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City by 2025.
On Tuesday, Francis will celebrate vespers at St. Peter's Basilica, followed by Mass on Wednesday, where he is expected to again appeal for peace between the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Jan. 1 is a day of obligation for Catholics, which marks the Feast of Mary.
German leader wants unity
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged citizens to pull together despite the country's faltering economy and deadly Christmas market attacks that have shocked the nation.
“We are a united country. And we can find strength in this – especially in difficult times like these,” Scholz said in a recorded speech.
Paris once again captured the Olympic spirit
Paris will celebrate 2024 with its traditional countdown and fireworks extravaganza on the Champs-Elysées.
The Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games held in the French capital from July to September transformed the city into a place of joy, brotherhood and amazing sporting achievements. It also marked a milestone in its recovery from extremist attacks in 2015 by al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
The British experienced winter weather
London will usher in the new year with a pyrotechnic display along the River Thames and a parade through the city on Wednesday featuring 10,000 performers.
With the storm bringing bad weather to some parts of the United Kingdom, celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland – including the Hogmanay Street party and the castle pyrotechnics show – have been cancelled.
But in Switzerland and elsewhere people are embracing the cold, stripping down and wading into the freezing cold water.
Rio expects 2 million spectators
Rio de Janeiro will throw Brazil's main New Year's Eve bash at Copacabana Beach, boats far from the beach with 12 straight minutes of fireworks. Thousands of tourists on cruise ships will witness the show up close.
More than 2 million people were expected in Copacabana, hoping to soak up the concerts of Brazilian artists such as pop singer Anitta and Grammy Award winner Caetano Veloso.
American traditions old and new
In New York City, the organization that manages Times Square tested its famous ball drop and tested the numbers of 2025, lights and thousands of crystals as part of a tradition that dates back to 1907. This year's celebration will include music by TLC, Jonas Brothers, Rita. Ora and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas pyrotechnic show will take place on the Strip, with 340,000 people expected as fireworks are launched over the casino roofs. Nearby, a large area of the Sphere will be shown for the first time counting down to midnight in different time zones.
In Pasadena, avid Rose Parade spectators camped out and hoped for prime spots. And as many as 200,000 people flocked to the party in Nashville, Tennessee, which featured a showcase of country music's biggest stars.
American Samoa will be among the last to host in 2025, a full 24 hours after New Zealand.
