New Year’s Eve live: Sydney fireworks ring in 2026 as Asia sees in the new year ahead of Europe and the US | New year
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When will the clocks strike midnight in different countries around the world?
I am writing today’s blog from London. Using UK time, here is a quick rundown of when (some very select) countries will ring in the new year:
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Kiribati -10:00 GMT
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New Zealand – 11:00 GMT
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Most of Australia’s east coast – 13:00 GMT
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North Korea, South Korea and Japan– 15:00 GMT
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Taiwan, Hong Kong and China – 16:00 GMT
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Thailand – 17:00 GMT
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India and Sri Lanka – 18:30 GMT
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Russia (Moscow) – 21:00 GMT
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Ukraine – 22:00 GMT
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Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy – 23:00 GMT
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The UK, Ghana and Portugal– 00:00 GMT …
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Brazil and Argentina – 03:00 GMT
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The east coast of the US – 05:00 GMT
Key events
New year arrives in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
It’s officially 2026 in a swath of southeast Asia, with the clock striking midnight in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Here’s how they were celebrating in Bangkok in what is now yesterday:
Tom Phillips
Some 2.5 million people are expected to flock to Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach in a few hours for what the Guinness World Records this week declared the biggest New Year’s Eve party on Earth.
But local authorities are warning people not to venture off the sand into the water during the massive display of fireworks and music because stormy weather means dangerously high waves of over two metres.
Life guards are reportedly searching for a 14-year-old boy who disappeared after going for a swim off the world-famous beach on Wednesday morning. At least two other people have been rescued.
“Obviously people are going to want to take a dip – it’s going to be hot – but … don’t swim in the sea,” the fire and rescue representative Fábio Contreras told the local news site G1.
Here’s the scene in Beijing as the new year arrived:
And in Putrajaya, Malaysia:
In Tokyo, monks rang in the new year by tolling a large bell, as you can see below:
Elsewhere in the city, there was dancing:
As there was in Seoul, South Korea:
Hong Kong, China and Taiwan among countries to usher in the new year
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philipines are among the countries that are welcoming in 2026 with celebrations. Pictures to come…
My colleagues over in our Film department have compiled a list of great films to watch tonight in the UK if you are choosing to stay in. There are some classic titles dropped so check out their recommendations and tell us your favourites in the comment section below:
Midnight is about half an hour away from being struck in numerous other countries in Asia, with celebrations taking place in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Japan, South Korea and North Korea see in the new year
It has just gone 15:00 GMT in London, which means happy new year to those in Japan, South Korea and North Korea who have become the latest countries to see in the new year.
Although safety concerns have forced the cancellation of a countdown event at a major train station in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, people are finding other ways to celebrate in Japan and across East Asia.
At Tokyo’s Tokudai-ji temple, for example, people have gathered to take part in the ringing of bells to usher in 2026.
In Seoul, a bell tolling and countdown ceremony has seen the end of 2025 in Bosingak Pavilion, while North Korea welcomed 2026 by putting on a fireworks display at Kim II Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang.
In the UK, Londoners have been left disappointed after the closure of one of the city’s parks containing what is widely considered the best fireworks viewing spot, Primrose Hill.
Fences have been erected to stop revellers gathering at the north London park, where 30,000 people watched the fireworks last year. The Royal Parks charity, which manages Primrose Hill, said the decision was taken on safety grounds, after the Metropolitan Police disbanded the Royal Parks specialist policing team this year.
If you think your celebrations are lively, take a look at the traditional Balinese celebrations in Indonesia, featuring a colourful parade in Denpasar and, later in the evening, some Hindu temple entertainment.
Robyn Vinter here, blogging from London.
In less than an hour, Japan is set to welcome in 2026, with the New Year celebrations – shōgatsu – the biggest event of the Japanese calendar, lasting until 3 January. It is widely considered a family affair, after Japanese citizens have been to numerous bonenkai – or “year forgetting” – parties during December.
On New Year’s Eve, it’s traditional to eat soba noodles and to stay up to watch the first sunrise of the year.
For Buddhists, it’s a time to gather at temples across the country, the most popular of which will receive millions of visitors throughout shōgatsu.
We have a report up on Sydney Harbour’s spectacular fireworks display, which struck a more sombre tone this year as people reflected on the tragedy and horror of the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi beach earlier this month, in which 15 people were killed.
One hour before the clock struck midnight, Sydney paused for a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting amid an enhanced security presence.
Here is an extract from our story:
A cloud of fear has lingered over the city since the terror attack, but crowds responded to leaders’ calls to go out in defiance of terrorism.
The festivities came with a heavy security presence, with thousands of armed police in attendance to ensure the crowds are safe.
One reveller, Irishman David Mooney, who nabbed an early spot at Sydney Harbour, said the potential security risks had only “slightly” crossed his mind.
“With everyone in such good spirits, you almost feel a bit of safety in numbers,” the 29-year-old said.
“Everyone’s in good form, everyone’s relaxed, I personally couldn’t have felt more reassured.”
