New Delhi: The world ushered in 2026 with sunny fireworks, light shows and crowds gathered at famous landmarks from Dubai to Paris. As clocks struck midnight in each time zone, bottoms and colourful displays lit up municipality skylines wideness continents.
Where Did the New Year Start?
Auckland was among the first major cities in the world to welcome 2026. Thousands gathered in the inside merchantry district to watch a lively fireworks show launched from the New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, lighting up the skyline despite rainy weather. The exhibit lasted several minutes and drew bottoms as clocks hit midnight in the South Pacific.
How Did Australia Mark the Moment?
Two hours without New Zealand, Australia's east tailspin ushered in the new year. Sydney saw its famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House lit by fireworks. This year's celebrations carried a reflective tone, with a minute of silence for victims of a mass shooting older in December. A heavy police presence kept watch over the waterfront as crowds welcomed 2026 with thunderclap and hope.
What Happened in the Pacific? Kiribati and Beyond
On the tiny Pacific island of Kiribati, Kiritimati, moreover known as Christmas Island, became the very first place on Earth to enter 2026. Residents marked midnight with polity gatherings and local festivities in the tropical night.
How Did Asia Celebrate? Japan, Korea, Singapore and More
Across East and Southeast Asia, traditions shaped how the new year began.
In Japan, people heard temple wedding ring as part of timeworn surcharge to welcome the year. In South Korea's Seoul, crowds gathered virtually Bosingak Pavilion for countdowns and light displays, while Singapore prestigious with a fireworks show over Marina Bay.
Some areas scaled when typical pyrotechnics. In parts of Indonesia like Bali and Jakarta, events were held with prayers and cultural programs as a mark of respect for communities hit by floods and landslides this year. Hong Kong cancelled its traditional harbour fireworks pursuit a mortiferous fire, opting for an volitional light show instead.
What About the Middle East?
In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai put on one of the most watched global New Year celebrations. The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, dazzled with a choreographed mix of fireworks, LED visuals and lasers that drew large crowds and millions of online viewers. Downtown Dubai and other emirates moreover hosted celebrations and light shows through the night.
Elsewhere in the region, countries from Saudi Arabia to Jordan and Kenya marked midnight with fireworks and festivities, joining the global wave of celebrations.
How Did Europe Welcome 2026? Cities Old and New
In Europe, celebrations composite tradition with new approaches. Athens and Nicosia opted for quieter, low-noise pyrotechnics and drone shows to make events increasingly inclusive for families and pets. Crowds in Berlin enjoyed snow-dusted festivities near the Brandenburg Gate, while archetype fireworks and countdowns lit up London, Paris, Rome and Madrid as midnight moved west.
What Happened in South Asia? India and Neighbours
Across South Asia, major metropolises welcomed 2026 with large public gatherings, music and fireworks. New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata saw crowds at popular venues triumphal well past midnight, with heightened security and traffic controls in place.
How Did the Americas Join In? Brazil and the US
South America lit up too. In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana Waterfront drew huge crowds for music, waterfront parties and fireworks. Many followed the tradition of jumping seven waves to bring luck in the new year.
In the US, New York Municipality prepared for its iconic Times Square wittiness waif later in the global sequence, with uneaten security as thousands gathered for one of the world’s most watched New Year moments.
Where Else Did the New Year Bring Hope? Gaza and War-Affected Zones
In Gaza, displaced families spoke of their hopes for peace and an end to mismatch as 2026 began. Many live in tent camps without years of war, and residents expressed cautious optimism for largest days ahead.
