Fireworks, Celebrations: Countries Ring In 2026. This Was The First

New Zealand was one of the first countries to step into the New Year. The celebrations were led by a large fireworks display in Auckland.

31 Dec 2025, 11:02 · NDTV

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New Zealand welcomed the New Year with fireworks in Auckland's Sky Tower
3,500 fireworks were launched from New Zealand's tallest structure
Kiribati's Kiritimati Island was the first place worldwide to greet the New Year

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As the rest of the world waits for 2026, India welcomed the New Year with a mix of dense fog and celebrations. In the big cities, the streets were overflowing. In Mumbai, people crowded Marine Drive, while in Delhi, crowds packed Connaught Place despite the shivering cold.

It was the coldest New Year's Eve the capital had seen since 2020, with temperatures dropping as low as 12 degrees Celsius. In the mountains, towns like Shimla and Manali were full of tourists, who didn't mind the snow as long as they celebrated together.

New Year celebrations in Delhi. Photo Credit: AFP

Meanwhile, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China have already welcomed the New Year.

New Zealand was one of the first countries to step into 2026. The celebrations were led by a large fireworks display in Auckland, lighting up the sky above the iconic Sky Tower. In Auckland, the midnight celebration featured around 3,500 fireworks launched from multiple levels of the 240-metre-tall Tower.

The Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the country, once again became the focal point of the celebrations. Thousands gathered to watch the display, which marked the official start of the new year for the nation.

The Chatham Islands, located east of mainland New Zealand, were the first place in New Zealand to welcome the New Year.

Across the Tasman Sea, Australia also marked the arrival of the New Year. Sydney, the self-appointed “world capital of New Year's Eve”, hosted a major fireworks show over its famous harbour.

New Year celebration in Sydney. Photo Credit: AFP

Ahead of the celebrations, a minute's silence was observed in memory of the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was illuminated with symbols of unity, including a dove and the words "peace" and "unity".

Japan welcomed 2026 with its traditional New Year celebrations, known as Shogatsu. The festival begins on January 1 and continues for several days.

As part of the tradition, temple bells are rung 108 times on New Year's Eve, symbolising the removal of earthly desires. Homes are cleaned and decorated with pine, bamboo and straw, representing renewal, good fortune and a fresh start.

South Korea observes two New Year celebrations each year. January 1, known as Sinjeong, marks the beginning of the calendar year and is recognised as a public holiday.

Later in the year, the country celebrates Seollal, or Lunar New Year, which carries greater cultural significance.

North Korea also follows the Gregorian calendar and marks the New Year on January 1. While celebrations are more restrained, the day is officially recognised across the country.

New Year's celebration in China
Photo Credit: AFP

First Country To Celebrate The New Year

Kiritimati Island in Kiribati, a country in the Pacific Ocean, is the first place in the world to welcome the New Year. The island, located in the UTC+14 time zone, is also known as Christmas Island.

When Other Countries Welcome The New Year

Russia (Moscow): 2:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Ukraine: 3:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Germany, France, Spain, Italy & Switzerland: 4:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

UK, Portugal & Ghana: 5:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Brazil & Argentina: 8:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

US (East Coast): 10:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

The final places to celebrate the new year in the UTC-12 zone are American Samoa and the Baker and Howland Islands. Midnight here falls nearly a full day after Kiribati.

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