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In Auckland, as the clock struck midnight, New Zealanders welcomed the new year a full 18 hours ahead of the iconic ball drop in New York City’s Times Square.
From the vibrant shores of Sydney to the romantic streets of Paris and the bustling energy of New York City, people across the globe celebrated the arrival of the new year with a mix of grandiose fireworks displays and dazzling light shows. Meanwhile, some chose to usher in 2026 with more peaceful, introspective gatherings.
As Japan welcomed the new year, the resonant toll of temple bells filled the air, and many embarked on journeys to mountain peaks to witness the first sunrise of the year. In Dubai, a spectacular light show graced the skies, featuring acrobatic jet skis somersaulting against the night backdrop. Paris illuminated the Arc de Triomphe with a countdown, while in Moscow, celebrants braved the snow to embrace the festivities.
Despite the biting cold, throngs of revelers gathered in New York City’s Times Square, eagerly anticipating the world-famous New Year’s Eve ball drop that marked the beginning of another year.
On the sandy stretches of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, a massive crowd gathered, stretching over 4 kilometers (approximately 2 1/2 miles), to witness concerts and a breathtaking 12-minute fireworks display. The celebration continued unabated, despite the challenges of high tides and sizable waves that tested the stability of the fireworks barges.
Other events were more subdued. Hong Kong held limited celebrations following a recent fire at an apartment complex that killed 161 people. Australia saluted the new year with defiance less than a month after its worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.
Ball drop in New York City
Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Year’s Eve ball covered in more than 5,000 crystals descended down a pole and confetti fell in Times Square.
Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound (5,602-kilograms) ball drop. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennon’s “Imagine” just before midnight.
The television hosts interviewed visitors who were attending from such places as Florida, Mexico and South Korea, and read people’s wishes for the new year. A sixth grader from Dallas, Texas, told one of the hosts that he wants to get good grades in 2026 and have a better year.
Police in the city had planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the ball drop, with “mobile screening teams.” It was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Moments after the ball dropped it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.
A few miles away in a decommissioned subway station, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor during a private event just after midnight Thursday.
More security in Sydney
A heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks in Sydney. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event, after two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15.
An hour before midnight, victims were commemorated with a minute of silence, and the crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns had urged residents not to stay away from festivities, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds as a victory: “We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime.”
Shadows of war and disasters
Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra a month ago that killed over 1,100. Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with traditional dances.
Hong Kong rang in 2026 without fireworks over Victoria Harbor after the massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks were turned into countdown clocks and a light show at midnight.
And in Gaza, Palestinians said they hope the new year brings an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“The war humiliated us,” said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from the southern city of Rafah.
Around Europe
Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile. Fireworks erupted over European landmarks, from the Colosseum in Rome to the London Eye.
In Paris, revelers converged around the glittering Champs-Élysées avenue. Taissiya Girda, a 27-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan, expressed hope for a calmer 2026.
“I would like to see happy people around me, no war anywhere,” she said. “Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, I want everybody to be happy and in peace.”
In Scotland, where New Year’s is known as Hogmanay, First Minister John Swinney urged Scots to follow the message of “Auld Lang Syne” by national poet Robert Burns and show small acts of kindness.
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in capitals. Officials said the change was intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets.
Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
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