New Year 2026: See the world celebrate from Times Square to Sydney
Photos capture iconic New Year celebrations from around the globe.
Last updated:
2 MIN READ
People across the world celebrate the start of 2026, with New York's iconic Times Square ball descending 18 hours after the South Pacific greeted the New Year.
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Fireworks light up the sky around the Burj Khalifa Tower, as the UAE welcomes in the New Year, in Dubai on January 1, 2026.
Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP
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Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year’s Day celebrations in Sydney on January 1, 2026.
AFP
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Drones light up the night sky to celebrate the New Year in Busan, South Korea, early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
AP
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Fireworks light up the midnight sky over the Chao Phraya River during 2026 New Year's Day celebrations in Bangkok on January 1, 2026.
AFP
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Performers ring in the new year at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China, early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. c
AP
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People watch fireworks explode over the port city as part of the New Year celebrations in Colombo on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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Revellers watch fireworks during New Year’s Day celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2026.
AFP
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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.
AFP
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Fireworks explode from the Taipei 101 building during the New Year's celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
AP
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Onlookers stand beside light ornaments on New Year's Eve at Bakırkoy Square in Istanbul on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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People turn on their mobile phones' flashlights as they observe a minute's silence to reflect on the tragic Bondi Beach shooting attack before New Year's Eve midnight fireworks display in Sydney on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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Revellers pose for photographs at an illuminated sea promenade during New Year's Eve in Mumbai on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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Revellers wait for the midnight countdown during New Year’s celebrations at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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A tourist rides a one‑humped camel during the last sunset of 2025 on New Year’s Eve in Al‑Wakrah, on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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Revellers pose for photos as they wait for the midnight countdown during New Year’s celebrations in Hong Kong on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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Revellers pose for photographs at an illuminated sea promenade during New Year's Eve in Mumbai on December 31, 2025.
AFP
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