Cities across the world ushered in 2026 with fireworks, light shows, and public celebrations, as millions marked the start of the new year.
From Europe to Asia-Pacific and the Americas, crowds gathered
at iconic landmarks as the New Year arrived across time zones.
Fireworks And Festivities Across Cities
In Paris, a countdown to midnight was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe as revellers gathered along the Champs-Élysées. Celebrations were also held in Berlin and Rome, with fireworks and public events lighting up major squares.
Dubai staged one of the world’s most watched New Year spectacles, with fireworks, lasers, and a light-and-sound show illuminating the Burj Khalifa. Thousands of revellers queued for up to nine hours for the fireworks and laser display at the world’s tallest building.
In East Asia, traditional rituals marked the transition into 2026. In Japan, temple bells rang across the country as worshippers welcomed the New Year, while some climbed mountains to catch the year’s first sunrise. In South Korea, thousands gathered at Seoul’s Bosingak bell pavilion, where a bronze bell was struck 33 times at midnight, a ritual believed to dispel misfortune and usher in peace.
#WATCH | Dubai, UAE | Mesmerising fireworks, and a light and sound show illuminate the Burj Khalifa as the world rings in #NewYear2026
Source: Emaar pic.twitter.com/Ll8R7atWtu
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2025
China rang in the New Year with drum performances at the Juyong Pass of the Great Wall near Beijing, where crowds waved signs bearing “2026” and symbols linked to the upcoming Year of the Horse on the lunar calendar.
As Big Ben chimed midnight, London rang in the New Year with fireworks over the River Thames.https://t.co/3uzgxBo5hc pic.twitter.com/XJL5p3k9i1
— ABC News (@ABC) January 1, 2026
Pacific nations closest to the International Date Line, including Kiribati, Tonga and New Zealand, were the first to welcome 2026, followed by Australia and East Asia as celebrations moved westward hour by hour.
Sydney Celebrates Under Tight Security
Sydney marked the arrival of 2026 with its traditional harbour fireworks, featuring tens of thousands of pyrotechnic effects spread across barges and landmarks, including a cascading display from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
New Year 2026 celebration 🎉 Sydney, Australia.🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/qhcYNYPQhu
— GLOBAL PULSE 360 (@DataIsKnowldge) December 31, 2025
The event took place under heightened security, weeks after a deadly shooting at a Jewish gathering in the city. Police maintained a heavy presence, with armed officers visible across the waterfront. Organisers observed a minute’s silence ahead of midnight to honour the victims, with the Harbour Bridge lit in white and a menorah projected onto its pylons.
Americas Ring In The New Year
In the United Kingdom, London welcomed 2026 with fireworks over the River Thames, described by the Mayor’s office as Europe’s largest annual display.
In the United States, celebrations were held across major cities despite freezing temperatures in parts of the country. In Washington, the Washington Monument was lit up as part of “Freedom250”, marking the start of events tied to America’s 250th anniversary year.
WATCH LIVE: Freedom250 tells the story of America at the Washington Monument (Courtesy: Freedom250) https://t.co/kyogg1duyg
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 1, 2026
In New York, crowds gathered in Times Square under tight security for the traditional ball drop, while preparations were also under way for large-scale celebrations on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, where organisers said they were aiming to break records for attendance.
What To Look Out For In 2026
The year ahead is expected to bring major global events across sports, science and technology.
Athletes will gather in Italy for the Winter Olympics in February, while the largest football World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams, will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada in June and July.
In space exploration, NASA is planning a crewed mission to orbit the Moon, marking its first such effort in more than five decades.
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is set to face increased scrutiny from regulators and investors, amid growing debate over its economic impact and long-term risks.
As the New Year got underway, countries looked ahead to a year shaped by both opportunity and uncertainty.
