Countries across the globe are beginning to usher in 2026.
The Pacific island nation of Kiribati was the first to ring in the new year, while Alaska and Hawaii will be among the last places to say goodbye to 2025.
New Zealand
At 6 a.m. ET, New Zealand was one of the first countries to reach 2026, ringing in the new year with a fireworks display.
New Zealand welcomes 2026New Zealand is one of the first in the world to celebrate bringing in the new year with a fireworks display.
ABCNews.com
Australia
In Australia, fireworks over the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge went along as planned, but law enforcement presence was ramped up in Sydney in the wake of this month’s mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the New Year in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.
Hollie Adams/Reuters
Fireworks light up the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House during New Year’s Eve celebrations on January 01, 2026 in Sydney, Australia.
Izhar Khan/Getty Images
Molly Taylor-South from the UK poses for a photograph ahead of the fireworks display during New Year’s Eve festivities at Mrs Macquaries Chair in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.
Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock
Earlier in the night, people gathered at the bridge to honor the Bondi Beach victims.
Spectators shine light from their mobile phones during a tribute to the victim’s of the Bondi terror attack during the New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.
Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock
A menorah is projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a tribute to the victim’s of the Bondi terror attack during the New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.
Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock
Japan
In Tokyo, Japan, revelers rang in 2026 at 10 a.m. ET.
A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026.
Issei Kato/Reuters
South Korea
In Seoul, South Korea, fireworks were lit over the massive Lotte World Tower.
Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Lotte World Tower, South Korea’s tallest building in Seoul during New Year’s Day celebrations on January 1, 2026.
Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images
China
In Beijing, China, people gathered at one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall.
The 2026 Beijing New Year Countdown celebration at the Juyongguan Great Wall, January 1, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Hong Kong
At 11 a.m. ET, revelers counted down to the new year in Hong Kong.
Revellers celebrate the New Year during Hong Kong’s countdown celebrations in Central, Hong Kong, Jan. 1, 2026.
May James/AFP via Getty Images
Thailand
A beautiful fireworks display lit up the sky in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River to celebrate the new year, January 1, 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lauren Decicca/Getty Images
United Arab Emirates
The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, was the site for New Year’s Eve fireworks in Dubai.
Fireworks explode around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 1, 2026.
Fatima Shbair/AP
Fireworks explode around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 1, 2026.
Fatima Shbair/AP
Qatar
A little boy was lifted in the air to take in the fireworks in Lusail, Qatar.
A man holds a child as fireworks explode during New Year’s celebrations in Lusail, Qatar, January 1, 2026.
Mohammed Salem/Reuters
France
The sky above the Arc de Triomphe was lit up with a fireworks display as France’s capital rang in 2026.
Fireworks explode at the Arc de Triomphe during the New Year’s celebrations on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, on Dec. 31, 2025.
Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters
Revelers look at a light and fireworks show displayed on the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate the New Year 2026 on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, on Dec. 31, 2025.
Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA via Shutterstock
UK
As Big Ben chimed midnight, London celebrated 2026 with fireworks over the River Thames.
Fireworks explode in the sky to bring in the New Year around the London Eye and the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock’s bell “Big Ben”, at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London at midnight on January 1, 2026.
Brook Mitchell/AFP via Getty Images
Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in central London during the New Year celebrations, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
Jonathan Brady/AP
Brazil
In Rio de Janeiro, revelers packed the famed Copacabana Beach for a fireworks display that illuminated the Christ the Redeemer statue.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JANUARY 01: Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue and fireworks launched from Copacabana beach during the New Year’s celebration on January 1, 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Wagner Meier/Getty Images
US
In New York City, the ball dropped in Times Square, packed with thousands of visitors who were covered in confetti.
Confetti drops on attendees at Times Square, during New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025.
Bing Guan/Reuters
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 01: People take part in New Year’s Eve celebrations on January 01, 2026 in New York City. Thousands of people packed into Times Square to celebrate and watch the ball drop, with over one ton of confetti being released at midnight.
Adam Gray/Getty Images
Source: abc news
