Sydney, Tokyo lead global New Year 2025 celebrations, India to join party soon

As the world bid farewell to 2024, New Zealand's Auckland led the charge into 2025, becoming one of the first places across the world to ring in New Year 2025. Apart from Auckland, Singapore, Sydney in Australia, and Tokyo in Japan have entered 2025. With India yet to welcome 2025, people across the country are bracing for its arrival.

In Sydney, hundreds of thousands of revellers thronged the harbour to witness the world-famous fireworks display. Among Asian countries, Japan, China, South Korea and North Korea have welcomed New Year 2025.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney. (Source: Reuters)

In Japan, the striking of temple bells 108 times, a ritual known as Joya no Kane, marked the arrival of the new year. Meanwhile, markets and shopping malls across the nation were seen bustling with last-minute shoppers.

A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, on New Year's Eve, in Tokyo. (Source: Reuters)

People react during a countdown event to celebrate the New Year in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. (Source: Reuters)

In Auckland, the iconic Sky Tower illuminated the night with a dazzling fireworks display, its vibrant colours reflecting off the city skyline. Thousands gathered at the waterfront, their cheers and songs echoing the joy of the occasion.

Celebrations were also seen in Qatar, Thailand, the Philippines and China's Hong Kong and Beijing, where people gathered around in huge numbers to witness fireworks and New Year celebrations.

Spectators cheer at a New Year countdown celebration event at Shougang Park in Beijing, China. (Source: Reuters) People perform to celebrate the 2025 new year in Bangkok, Thailand. (Source: Reuters)

Thousands of visitors are anticipated to gather in Dubai for the annual fireworks extravaganza at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper.

A general view shows the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, on New Year's Eve in Dubai. (Source: Reuters)

In Christchurch and Queenstown, traditional Māori cultural performances added a unique touch to the modern festivities. The events attracted visitors from around the globe, eager to be among the first to welcome the New Year.

The event, set to feature a singalong led by British pop sensation Robbie Williams, included indigenous ceremonies honouring Australia’s First Nations people. Melbourne’s Yarra River also glittered with vibrant fireworks, as Victoria joined in the celebrations.

Participants of the New Year's Eve race run along a street, after the temperature went below minus 47 degrees Celsius (minus 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Yakutsk, Russia. (Source: Reuters)

THE GLOBAL COUNTDOWN

Countries in the South Pacific will usher in 2025 first, with New Zealand at the forefront of the celebrations. The nation marked the arrival of the new year 18 hours ahead of the famous ball drop in New York's Times Square.

New Year celebrations in Israel are expected to be muted as the nation endures the 15th month of its conflict with Hamas, with numerous hostages still held captive.

A surfer enjoys the last sunset of the year in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Source: Reuters)

In South Korea, festivities have been scaled down or cancelled as the nation enters a period of mourning following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air flight at the Muan Airport on Sunday, which claimed the lives of 179 people.

Women wearing '2025' head bands attend the New Year's Eve celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Source: Reuters)

Rome's New Year's Eve celebrations are set to gain extra significance as they coincide with the launch of Pope Francis’ Holy Year in 2025. This once-in-25-years event is expected to draw approximately 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City, adding a spiritual dimension to the festivities.

Paris will ring in 2024's final moments with its iconic New Year's Eve celebration, featuring a spectacular countdown and dazzling fireworks display along the renowned Champs-Elysees.

London will welcome the New Year with a stunning fireworks display over the River Thames, followed by a vibrant parade through the city center on Wednesday, featuring 10,000 performers.