Auckland, Dec 31
Auckland in New Zealand was among the first major cities in the world to usher in New Year 2025 on Tuesday as thousands enjoyed a dazzling fireworks display at the iconic Sky Tower.
The annual fireworks illuminated the night sky as huge crowds gathered at the city's Central Business District (CBD) to take part in the celebrations. Millions around the globe are expected to join in the festivities in the coming hours. Following Auckland, people in Australia will revel in the festive atmosphere, with Sydney set to welcome the new year with the much-awaited fireworks displays at its landmark Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Celebrations will continue thereafter, from beach festivities in Indonesia's Bali to Singapore's Marina Bay, and from the vibrant atmosphere in New Delhi to the New Year's Eve display at Dubai's Burj Khalifa. London's fireworks along the River Thames and the iconic ball drop at New York's Times Square will also mark the occasion.
Even though they are not too far away from New Zealand, the South Pacific islands of Niue and Samoa to the southwest of Kiribati are the last inhabited places to celebrate the new year. Niue, known as one of the largest upraised coral atolls in the world, is situated in the middle of the South Pacific within a triangle formed by Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. It is located towards the northeastern side of the International Date Line and is 11 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
Celebrations are also set to take place in Japan, where people traditionally ring in the new year by watching the first sunrise of the year.