While Luxembourg is still waiting, the world begins to bid farewell to 2025

While Luxembourg is still waiting to ring in the New Year, the first celebrations have already begun in the Pacific Rim, turning the page on a year marked by a fragile truce in Gaza, unsuccessful efforts to end the war in Ukraine, massive investments in artificial intelligence, and Donald Trump’s thunderous return to the White House.

2026 has already started in the South Pacific and New Zealand. At 11:00 Central European Time, the approximately 7,300 residents of Kiritimati, an atoll in the island nation of Kiribati, welcomed the new year.

Just fifteen minutes later, celebrations continued in the Chatham Islands, part of New Zealand, before the country itself celebrated the new year at noon Central European Time with a spectacular fireworks display at the Sky Tower in Auckland, the largest city. Tonga and Samoa also began their celebrations at this time.

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House © Photo credit: AFP

A minute of silence in Sydney

In Sydney, Australia, known as the New Year’s capital of the world, preparations for the festivities were overshadowed by a mid-December anti-Semitic attack on a well-known beach that claimed fifteen lives.

A minute of silence was scheduled at 23:00 when the Harbour Bridge was lit in white as a symbol of peace. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to attend a large fireworks display at midnight under heavy security.

People turn on their mobile phones’ flashlights as they observe a minute’s silence to reflect on the tragic Bondi Beach shooting attack before New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks display in Sydney © Photo credit: AFP

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world, recognised by the Guinness Book of Records, was set to be a spectacular event. About 2.5 million revelers were expected on Copacabana Beach. Twelve minutes of fireworks and 1,200 drones are due to light up the Carioca sky, while thirteen stages will be hosting free concerts throughout the city.

Spectacular light shows were also planned in many Asian cities. In Singapore, crowds will admire fireworks over Marina Bay and its stunning skyline, while in Bangkok the Chao Phraya River will reflect the lights of a massive fireworks display. Many residents and tourists celebrate on party boats every year to get a close view of the spectacle.

A girl poses with her painted face and hands during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Amritsar on 31 December © Photo credit: AFP

Waiting for the ball to drop

Six hours after Luxembourg, New York will begin what is probably the most famous countdown in the world. In Times Square, the ball descends from a forty-three-meter-high pole to mark the start of the new year. The historic ball drop is watched by millions around the globe.

This year, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, so the ball will be lowered twice and shine in red, white and blue.

It takes a total of twenty-six hours for the entire globe to enter the New Year. American Samoa, located just 220km east of Samoa on the other side of the International Date Line, is the last inhabited place on Earth to welcome 2026, twelve hours after Luxembourg.

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Lotte World Tower, South Korea’s tallest building in Seoul during New Years Day celebrations. © Photo credit: AFP

(This article has been first published on AFP and DPA, AI translated, with editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale).