MELBOURNE, Australia — Drummers pounded in the New Year and a stampede of computer-generated horses was shown over the Great Wall as China and the rest of Asia marked the start of 2026.
Fireworks crackled above Karachi. Temple bells rang across Japan. Some climbed mountains to see the year's first sunrise in the Year of the Horse, which according to the Asian zodiac is believed to herald energy and transformation. However, Hong Kong held subdued celebrations following a recent fire at an apartment complex that killed 161 people.
Sydney saluted the new year with joy and defiance, less than three weeks after Australia's worst mass shooting in almost 30 years. And New Zealand's capital, Auckland, held a fireworks display 18 hours before the ball drop in New York's Times Square.
Images are projected onto Sydney Harbour Bridge on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Australia.
Defiance in Australia
A heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks in Sydney. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event, after two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15.
An hour before midnight, victims were commemorated with a minute of silence, and the crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents not to stay away from the festivities, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds as a victory: "We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime."
Drones light up the night sky early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, to celebrate the New Year in Busan, South Korea.
Indonesia and Hong Kong hold subdued events
Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra island a month ago that killed over 1,100. Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with a cultural event featuring traditional dances.
Hong Kong rang in 2026 without fireworks over Victoria Harbor after the massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks were turned into countdown clocks and a light show at midnight.
In Japan, temple bells rang and celebrants lined up at Shinto shrines. In Seoul, the South Korean capital, the old Bosingak bell rang.
Palestinians walk along streets Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, past tent camps for displaced people in Gaza City.
Displaced Gazans hope for end to war
The sun sets behind war-damaged buildings Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Gaza City.
In Gaza, where hundreds of thousands are displaced by more than two years of war, Palestinians said they hope the new year brings an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
"We hope that it will be a good year for our people in Palestine," Faraj Rasheed said, noting that thousands continue to live in harsh conditions in tent camps.
Others described 2025 as a year of loss. "The war humiliated us," said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from the southern city of Rafah.
Pope Leo XIV arrives Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, to preside over the first vespers and the "Te Deum" in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Around Europe
Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile. Berliners took selfies and making snowmen in front of the German capital's iconic Brandenburg Gate. Fireworks were planned over other European landmarks from the Colosseum in Rome to the London Eye.
In Scotland, where New Year's is known as Hogmanay, First Minister John Swinney urged Scots to follow the message of "Auld Lang Syne" and show small acts of kindness in 2026.
"Each year, the world rings in the new year by singing a song from Scotland, a song passed down through generations, written by our national poet, Robert Burns,'' Swinney said.
A couple takes a selfie Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Beirut, Lebanon, as the country's last sunset of 2025 is seen over the Mediterranean Sea.
Quieter celebrations elsewhere
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics, light shows and drone displays in capitals. Officials said the change is intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets, particularly animals sensitive to loud noise.
Additional security in New York City
Police in New York City planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the Times Square ball drop, with "mobile screening teams." It was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
After the ball drops it will rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the country's upcoming 250th birthday.
Zohran Mamdani was set to take office as mayor at the start of 2026 following a private ceremonial event around midnight in an old subway station.
Photos of 2026 New Year's celebrations around the globe
People pose for pictures near illuminated decorations on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Mumbai, India.
Fireworks explode Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand.
People cheer during the 2026 Taipei New Year's Party celebration Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in front of the Taipei City Government Building in Taipei, Taiwan.
Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Australia.
Revelers ring in the new year early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China.
Fireworks explode from the Taipei 101 building Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the New Year's celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan.
People strike a giant bell minutes after midnight Thursday Jan. 1, 2026, to celebrate the New Year at the Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
People gather Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, before the New Year's countdown event in front of the Bosingak pavilion, where the annual New Year's bell-ringing ceremony is held, in Seoul, South Korea.
People attend the New Year countdown event Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, to celebrate the start of 2026 in the Central district of Hong Kong.
People burn old resolutions to mark the New Year minutes after midnight Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
Performers ring in the new year early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China.
Fireworks are launched Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, above the My Dinh national stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Revelers use their smartphones to film falling balloons and confetti early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during a New Year countdown event at a shopping mall in Beijing.
A man sits on a cliff Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Beirut, Lebanon, as the country's last sunset of 2025 is seen over the Mediterranean Sea.
People ride a chair carousel Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at the Christmas fair on the Red Square on New Year's Eve in Moscow, Russia.
Drones light up the night sky early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, to celebrate the New Year in Busan, South Korea.
Pope Leo XIV waves after a moment of prayer Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in front of the nativity scene that adorns St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
