Communities worldwide ushered in 2025 with a mix of vibrant celebrations and somber acknowledgments, as fireworks, light shows, and cultural traditions marked the New Year. From the South Pacific to the Americas, cities embraced the occasion, while conflicts tempered festivities in other regions.
Auckland, New Zealand, was among the first major cities to welcome the New Year, with large crowds gathering for firework displays and light shows that honored the city's Indigenous heritage. The South Pacific region is traditionally the first to celebrate the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand occurring 18 hours ahead of the ball drop in New York's Times Square.
A general view of New Year's fireworks and light-show looking towards the central business district on January 01, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)Asanka Ratnayake via Getty Images 
Moving westward, Sydney, Australia, hosted a massive celebration at its iconic harbor, featuring fireworks launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The event included Indigenous ceremonies and a singalong led by British pop star Robbie Williams.
In Asia, many nations prepared for the Lunar New Year and the upcoming Year of the Snake. Japan saw a period of quiet reflection and cleansing before its biggest holiday, while other Asian countries will mark the occasion later.
People watch fireworks released from landmark Taipei 101 to embrace the new year of 2025, in Taipei, Taiwan, on January, 1, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty ImagesIn South Korea, celebrations were scaled back due to a period of national mourning following a recent plane crash. Despite this, Bangkok saw shopping centers hosting live music and fireworks, while Jakarta's display featured 800 drones.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions were evident in the New Year’s acknowledgments. Chinese state media reported an exchange of greetings between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling continued ties between the two nations amid tensions with the West. In contrast, celebrations were muted in areas impacted by conflict, such as parts of the Middle East, Sudan, and Ukraine.
People celebrate the arrival of the New Year at Marine Drive in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Further west, India's financial hub, Mumbai, saw thousands congregate along the Arabian Sea for festivities. In Dubai, a major fireworks show took place at the Burj Khalifa. Rome began its Holy Year, with the Catholic Church anticipating 32 million pilgrims in 2025. Pope Francis led New Year's Eve vespers, followed by Mass on New Year's Day, using these occasions to appeal for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Paris celebrated the end of a successful year, which saw the city host the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games. The traditional countdown and fireworks display were held on the Champs-Elysées. In the United Kingdom, while London hosted a fireworks display along the River Thames, harsh weather forced the cancellation of celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In South America, Rio de Janeiro prepared to host a large New Year's Eve party on Copacabana Beach with fireworks and concerts. Meanwhile, in the United States, preparations for the traditional ball drop in New York's Times Square were underway, along with various musical performances. Las Vegas' pyrotechnic show was also highly anticipated.
American Samoa will be the last to welcome 2025, a full 24 hours after New Zealand, completing the global cycle of New Year celebrations.
