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World rings in 2026 across time zones
From remote Pacific atolls to bustling metropolises, countries welcomed the New Year as midnight swept the globe, blending festivity with moments of remembrance and age-old customs.
First to celebrate: Kiritimati's secluded midnight
Kiritimati, a tiny atoll in Kiribati, became the first inhabited place to enter 2026. A visitor described the moment as surreal-marked on a pitch-black beach, surrounded by crabs and devoid of human traces or technology.
Iconic fireworks light up global landmarks
London's skyline erupted in pyrotechnics as thousands gathered despite chilly conditions, while Edinburgh's Hogmanay festivities proceeded undeterred by weather warnings. In New York, nearly a million people packed Times Square to watch the ball drop, showered in confetti.
Sydney's dazzling display over its Opera House and Harbour Bridge took on a somber tone this year. At 11 p.m. local time, the harbor fell silent for a minute as crowds held up lights to honor the 15 victims of the December 14 Bondi Beach attack. A menorah projection on the bridge's pylons paid tribute to the Jewish community.
Asia's dazzling displays and cultural rituals
Singapore's Marina Bay Waterfront and Manila's Makati skyline glittered with synchronized fireworks and skyscraper illuminations. In Bangkok, crowds lined the Chao Phraya River to celebrate, while Dubai's Burj Khalifa hosted a multimedia spectacle of lights, music, and water jets.
Hong Kong's celebrations featured live performances with elaborate headwear, and Beijing's Juyongguan Great Wall was bathed in light. Seoul's Lotte World Tower dominated the night sky with laser displays, and traditional performances at the Bosingak pavilion drew crowds for the countdown.
Europe's unique traditions and chilly celebrations
Dublin's Procession of Light showcased street performers, including a fire artist, before the Matinee Countdown Concert at Dublin Castle. In southern France, clothed and unclothed revelers at Le Cap d'Agde's nudist beach participated in a New Year's sea dip, while Copenhagen's Islands Brygge Harbour Bath saw swimmers brave icy waters for the traditional *Nytaarsbad*.
The Netherlands' Ommen residents upheld a quirky tradition: carbide shooting, where milk cans are repurposed as makeshift cannons. Meanwhile, Krakow's Old Town hosted its annual New Year's Run, with colorful participants braving the December cold.
Asia's cultural and spiritual observances
In Osaka, young women in traditional kimono took part in a Shinto ritual procession at Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines. Bali's Denpasar saw locals perform a dance to symbolically release the sun of 2025 and welcome the dawn of 2026.
