From Sydney to Paris to New York City, celebrations around the world marked the arrival of the new year with a mix of exuberance and solemnity. Crowds gathered for spectacular fireworks displays and light shows, while some regions opted for toned-down festivities due to recent tragedies.
In Japan, the midnight hour was greeted with the ringing of temple bells, and locals climbed mountains to catch the year's first sunrise. Dubai dazzled onlookers with a light show featuring jet skis, while in Paris, the countdown to 2026 was illuminated on the historic Arc de Triomphe. Moscow's celebrations took place amid a snowy backdrop, and New York City saw thousands crowding Times Square to witness the iconic New Year's Eve ball drop despite the frigid temperatures.
In Rio de Janeiro, over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of Copacabana Beach attracted crowds for concerts and a breathtaking 12-minute fireworks show, even in the face of tumultuous tides and large waves impacting the barges carrying fireworks. However, in Hong Kong, celebrations were restrained following a devastating fire in an apartment complex that claimed 161 lives. Australia also displayed a spirit of resilience less than a month after experiencing its worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years.
Tragedy struck in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana, where a bar fire early on New Year's Day resulted in numerous fatalities, with authorities fearing dozens dead.
In New York City’s Times Square, crowds bundled against the cold burst into cheers as the New Year’s Eve ball, adorned with over 5,000 crystals, descended. Revelers, donning light-up necklaces and celebratory hats, had waited hours for the 12,350-pound (5,602-kilogram) spectacle. Musical performances included Tones and I’s rendition of John Lennon’s "Imagine," just moments before midnight. Police enforced enhanced security measures, including mobile screening teams, to ensure safety during the event.
Following the ball drop, the iconic sphere rose once again, sparkling in red, white, and blue, commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Additionally, just after midnight, Zohran Mamdani was officially sworn in as mayor during a private ceremony nearby.
In Sydney, a significant police presence was visible, as officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles for the first time at the New Year’s festivities, reinforcing security after a previous attack on a Hanukkah celebration. Attendees observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of recent violence, and Premier Chris Minns encouraged people to participate in the celebrations as a demonstration of defiance and solidarity with victimized communities.
Conversely, Indonesia chose to minimize its celebrations in remembrance of those affected by recent floods and landslides that resulted in over 1,100 fatalities on Sumatra. Traditional dance performances replaced fireworks on Bali, while Hong Kong held no fireworks over Victoria Harbour after the tragic fire incident in November. Instead, highlights included projected countdown clocks on landmarks and a light show to welcome the new year.
Across Europe, calls for peace resonated amidst vibrant celebrations. Pope Leo XIV concluded the year with an appeal to embrace hospitality towards the vulnerable in Rome, where fireworks lit up landmarks such as the Colosseum. In Paris, revelers gathered along the Champs-Élysées, with a tourist from Kazakhstan expressing hope for a happier, war-free 2026. In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney encouraged kindness and good deeds as part of the New Year’s spirit, while cities in Greece and Cyprus shifted from traditional loud fireworks to quieter pyrotechnics to create a more welcoming atmosphere.
As celebrations took place worldwide, the sobering realities of recent tragedies and conflicts also cast a shadow over the festivities, prompting many to reflect on the year ahead and the hopes for peace and recovery.
