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LONDON’S fireworks ushered in 2025 with thousands of excited revellers packing the capital – but gales blew away much of the fun elsewhere.
The London Eye and Big Ben acted as the perfect backdrop for the annual festivities with the skyline lit up as joyous crowds cheered along.
However, some celebrations across Britain were cancelled because of 75mph gales and torrential downpours.
Events in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight and Ripon and North Yorkshire were all axed.
Earlier, the tiny Pacific island of Kiritimati, part of a former British colony called Kiribati, was the first to see the new year.
New Zealand followed soon after with a fireworks display over the 1,076ft Sky Tower – the tallest building in Auckland – as they were the first major city to cheer in 2025.
In Australia, a million revellers flocked to Sydney Harbour to watch a 12-minute explosion of colour as 53,500 pyrotechnics erupted over the famous Opera House.
Pop superstar Robbie Williams led the crowds there in a mass singalong before the clock struck 12.
German backpacker Hanna Kronziel, 20, and her pals bagged their spots 20 hours before the fireworks began.
She said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
In Jakarta, Indonesia, a show featuring 800 drones wowed crowds as they lit up the night sky.
But most of the celebrations in South Korea were cancelled or cut back as the country continues to mourn the 179 killed in Sunday’s plane crash.
Paris, Berlin, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Dubai all had spectacular light shows of their own.
BRITAIN’S WEATHER WOES
Here in the UK, bad weather forced cancellations across the country with revellers being left unimpressed.
Michael Ellis, 31, railed at Newcastle council for cancelling the event on the banks of the Tyne.
He said: “Did any of the dingbats working for this wretched council bother to check the weather forecast? Winds due to drop dramatically by 9pm.”
Catherine Hutchinson, of Gateshead, added: “How hard can it be to light a firework fuse?”
Peter McVay said: “It’s a bit of wind and rain — we’re even woke about the weather now.”
And 50,000 were disappointed as events at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay party were cancelled.
American Richard Newton had travelled more than 4,000 miles from Atlanta with his wife and children only to find the Edinburgh bash scrapped.
He said: “We’ve been planning for this for five years. It’s heartbreaking.”
But the display in London did go ahead despite concern beforehand about high winds.
A crowd of 100,000 people who braved the weather cheered fromthe banks of the Thames as Big Ben brought in the new year with its 12 bongs.
More than 12,000 fireworks were set off on river barges and from the foot of the London Eye as millions more watched on television.
However, hoards of thugs stormed through security barriers an hour before at Embankment.
A witness told The Sun: “It was dangerous. They were pushing people, being violent and jumping around.”
Meanwhile, a fireworks display to mark 1,500 years since the founding of Wales’s oldest city Bangor was also among those cancelled.
You can follow our live blog below for all the latest updates …
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Welcome to The Sun’s New Year’s blog
If you’re just joining us, we’re running a live blog today as countries continue to enter 2025.
We’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments after the UK ushered in the New Year in style.
Revellers across the globe have already celebrated with street parties and elaborate fireworks displays.
Credit: Getty -
When the rest of the world rings in the New Year
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
January 1
- Now – Cape Verde and the Spanish Isles
- 2am – Eastern Brazil, South Georgia and Sandwich Islands
- 3am – Argentina, remaining regions in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay
- 3.30am – Newfoundland and Labrador/Canada
- 4am – Eastern Canada, Bolivia, Puerto Rico
- 5am – Eastern Standard Time in the US – New York, Washington, Detroit and Cuba
- 6am – Central Standard Time in the US – Chicago
- 7am – Mountain Standard Time in the US – Colorado, Arizona
- 8am – Pacific Standard Time in the US – LA, Nevada
- 9am – Alaska and French Polynesia
- 10am – Hawaii, Tahiti and Cook Island
- 11am – American Samoa
- 12pm – Baker Island, Howland Island
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London landmarks star in stunning celebrations
Fireworks light up the sky over Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big BenCredit: PA 
The London Eye was marvellously lit up as the New Year was ushered inCredit: AP 
Londonâs fireworks featuring the BT Tower in the backgroundCredit: Rex
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Revellers watch as London lights up
People look up and film the fireworks above themCredit: AP 
A person wears New Year themed glasses as they watch the fireworksCredit: Reuters 
A woman takes a snap of the purple London Eye moments before the New Year commencedCredit: Reuters -
The iconic London skyline lit up in various colours
The skyline was flooded with fireworksCredit: AFP 
Some were a green colourCredit: AFP 
Others were a beautiful goldCredit: AFP 
The display started off in an incredible redCredit: AFP 
The fireworks were even a more traditional white colour during the lengthy displayCredit: Getty -
In pictures: London wows with fireworks display
An incredible fireworks display ushered in the New Year in the UK with thousands of excited revellers packing out the capitalCredit: Getty 
The iconic London skyline was sensationally lit upCredit: AFP 
Fireworks explode in the sky around the London Eye and Big BenCredit: AFP 
The display went on for several minutes as a roaring crowd cheered onCredit: Getty 
The display marked the start of 2025Credit: AFP -
In pictures: London wows with fireworks display
An incredible fireworks display ushered in the New Year in the UK with thousands of excited revellers packing out the capitalCredit: Getty The iconic London skyline was sensationally lit upCredit: AFP Fireworks explode in the sky around the London Eye and Big BenCredit: AFP The display went on for several minutes as a roaring crowd cheered onCredit: Getty The display marked the start of 2025Credit: AFP -
It’s officially 2025 in the UK – Happy New Year!
If you’re just joining us, welcome to 2025. We’re running a live blog today as countries begin to enter the new year – with revellers in the UK set to celebrate across the country in style.
We’ll keep you updated here with all the latest developments from around the world.
Also welcoming in New Year’s Day at the same time as the UK are Ireland, Ghana, Iceland and Portugal.
Cheers!
Credit: Getty -
Happy New Year from France
France welcomed 2025 with a bang as stunning fireworks in pink, orange, yellow and red lit up the Paris sky
Hundreds of people gathered at Champs Elysees Avenue during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
A great goodbye to the year the country hosted the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.
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It’s officially 2025 in Germany, France and Italy – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
January 1
- Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
- 1am – Cape Verde and the Spanish Isles
- 2am – Eastern Brazil, South Georgia and Sandwich Islands
- 3am – Argentina, remaining regions in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay
- 3.30am – Newfoundland and Labrador/Canada
- 4am – Eastern Canada, Bolivia, Puerto Rico
- 5am – Eastern Standard Time in the US – New York, Washington, Detroit and Cuba
- 6am – Central Standard Time in the US – Chicago
- 7am – Mountain Standard Time in the US – Colorado, Arizona
- 8am – Pacific Standard Time in the US – LA, Nevada
- 9am – Alaska and French Polynesia
- 10am – Hawaii, Tahiti and Cook Island
- 11am – American Samoa
- 12pm – Baker Island, Howland Island
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Inside Switzerland’s bizarre start to the New Year
The Swiss are due to celebrate the start of 2025 at 11pm (UK time) with the European nation known for their odd activities to celebrate the year.
One event, dubbed the Achetringele procession, sees members of the public dress up as “Baesemann” figures.
Translated in English as “broom man”, the event sees people put on a creepy wooden mask and carry around a large broom across the region of Laupen.
Revellers also take air-filled pig bladders with them on the journey across the city.
The idea is to drive away evil spirits so everyone starts the New Year on a clean and happy slate.
Elsewhere, the Swiss are also known to take part in a traditional New Year’s Eve dip at Lake Moossee in Moosseedorf.
People of all ages come together to celebrate together in the crystal clear waters as they wash away the previous year’s woes.
A young âBaesemannâ carrying a long-handled broom with him on last year’s âAchetringeleâ processionCredit: EPA 
The event takes over the region of Laupen each New Years EveCredit: EPA 
Elsewhere Swiss swimmers also take part in a traditional New Yearâs Eve dip at Lake Moossee in MoosseedorfCredit: AP -
Dozens more countries enter into 2025
An eleventh time zone has ticked over past midnight across three separate continents.
Greece, Ukraine, South Africa and Egypt are among the biggest nations to have just kicked off their New Year celebrations.
Elsewhere, Sudan, Libya, Israel, Lebanon, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland have also joined the 2025 club.
Almost 20 other countries are also currently celebrating.
Drones form a 2025 next to the ancient Parthenon temple on Acropolis hill in AthensCredit: Reuters 
Fireworks erupt over the Giza Pyramids just outside of Cairo, EgyptCredit: AP -
Welcome to The Sun’s New Year’s blog
If you’re just joining us, we’re running a live blog today as countries begin to enter 2025 – with just two hours to go until the UK welcomes in a new year.
We’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments from the UK and around the world.
Already revellers in New Zealand and Australia have celebrated with elaborate fireworks displays.
In the UK, officials in Newcastle have been forced to cancel a fireworks display at the Quayside over concerns about the weather, while Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled in Edinburgh due to high winds.
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More Brits head out to celebrate in the rain
Revellers in Leeds have kicked off their celebrations as they hide under coatsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
The weather in Leeds hasn’t dampened any spirits as people are continuing to flock to eventsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
Pals in Liverpool city centre get ready for an action packed night outCredit: LNP -
Who celebrates the New Year last?
The last ones to ring in the New Year will be Baker Island and Howland Island. The islands will see 2025 at 12pm GMT on January 1.
Baker and Howland Islands are almost halfway between Hawaii and Australia.
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Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne at New Year?
Auld Lang Syne has been sung on New Year’s Eve for generations it almost seems impossible to picture a time before the anthem.
The song originated in Scotland but became popular through Hollywood films.
Guy Lombardo and his band played the song at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on New Year’s Eve 1929.
The song was later featured on the radio and soon became a New Year’s tradition.
Credit: ITV -
Queues beginning to form across London
There are now less than four hours to go until the UK celebrates the New Year with thousands of revellers already queuing up for various events being put on across London.
It comes as pubs and bars across major cities in Britain have already started to fill up in anticipation of a joyous evening.
The main traditional fireworks display will come in London as Big Ben strikes midnight and welcomes in 2025.
Revellers queue up on Whitehall before the New Yearâs Eve fireworksCredit: LNP 
Thousands have already started to celebrateCredit: LNP 
Families head towards the London Eye ahead of the celebrationsCredit: LNP -
Dubai celebrates 2025 in style
The glitzy city of Dubai has wowed onlookers with a mega pyrotechnic display at the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa.
Fireworks and synchronised water jets all shot into the night sky as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates.
The mesmerising display saw fireworks shoot out from the Burj Khalifa as the tower was lit up in spectacular colours.
The words “Happy New Year” were also projected onto the building in various languages.
Dubai has ushered in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display from the world’s tallest building – the Burj KhalifaCredit: AP 
The Burj Khalifa had been lit up with a dazzling displayCredit: AP 
Fireworks rang out across DubaiCredit: Reuters 
A light show and fireworks illuminated the Burj KhalifaCredit: AFP 
The Burj Khalifa was the centrepiece for the UAE’s joyous celebrationsCredit: Reuters -
Brits brave torrid weather to celebrate New Year
Partygoers are already heading out across the UK as midnight draws closer.
Weather warnings of high winds and rainy conditions later on this evening have done little to damper the spirits of Brits.
With thousands already taking over the cities of Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool ahead of New Year.
New Year revellers are braving the weather in Leeds as they prepare for a night of celebrationsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
Celebrations are also underway in a rainy LiverpoolCredit: London News Pictures 
Partygoers in Birmingham have dressed up for the exciting evening aheadCredit: SWNS -
In pictures: joyous displays across India
The streets of Bangalore, India were packed out with peopleCredit: EPA 
People flash lights from their phones at a New Year’s Eve celebration in MumbaiCredit: Reuters 
A giant light show flashed up the words ‘Happy New Year 2025’Credit: Reuters 
A couple celebrate the New Year with a romantic gestureCredit: Reuters -
Pakistan officially welcomes New Year at 7pm – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
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Birmingham revellers prepare for a big night of New Year celebrations
Birmingham city centre is starting to fill out with joyous locals who are starting their nights early before 2024 comes to a close in just hours.
Celebrations across the UK are due to get underway as people flock to bars, pubs and huge events being out on throughout the evening.
Three ladies pose for a picture in Birmingham city centreCredit: Alamy 
Two of the woman are donning celebratory glasses welcoming in 2025 -
London’s firework extravaganza will go ahead
The iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks in the capital is set to go ahead as planned at midnight tonight despite serious concerns over the weather.
A London mayor spokesperson confirmed the event will continue with revellers already preparing for the shift into 2025.
Ticketholders for the event and the “many millions watching around the world” should be set for “a spectacular night of fireworks from the banks of the Thames to welcome in the new year,” the spokesperson added.
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Hong Kong officially enters 2025 with largest ever celebrations in the city
The dazzling city of Hong Kong has celebrated going into the New Year with a huge firework display.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board called the countdown event on the Victoria Harbour the largest ever in the city.
A star-studded concert and dance performances also took place as joyous revellers welcomed in 2025.
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong KongCredit: AFP 
People react to the fireworks in Hong Kong as 2025 gets underwayCredit: Reuters 
The show went on for some time with many coming out to celebrateCredit: AFP -
In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney
Here are some images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.
