More than one million people gathered to watch a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge to see in the new year.
With clear skies and a balmy temperature of 22 degress, the famous celebrations got into full swing as the clocks hit midnight in Australia’s two most populated states of New South Wales and Victoria.
British pop star Robbie Williams lead a singalong and Indigenous ceremonies and performances acknowledged the land’s first people.
While Sydney is the self-appointed “world capital of new year’s eve”, there were also large crowds out in Melbourne. Families and groups gathered early along the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River, to secure a good view of the city’s skyline in anticipation of the 14 tonnes of fireworks shot from 27 buildings along with 60 lasers.
Earlier, Auckland became the first major city in the world to welcome 2025.
Thousands of revellers counted down to the new year and cheered colourful fireworks launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, the Sky Tower, as part of a spectacular light show.
Many also climbed the city’s ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point, as well as a light display recognising Auckland’s Indigenous tribes. It follows a year marked by protests over Māori rights in the nation of five million.
Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking a full 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.
Other cities around the world are readying with celebrations highlighting local cultures and traditions, after a year roiled by ongoing conflict and political instability.
Much of Japan has shut down ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called “tatami” with big sticks.
The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin.
Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from January 1st, have been selling tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products. Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.
In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or cancelled as the country observes a period of national mourning following the crash on Sunday of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people.
Elsewhere, Chinese state media covered an exchange of new year’s greetings between leader Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin in a reminder of growing closeness between two leaders who face tensions with the West.
Mr Xi told Mr Putin that their countries would “always move forward hand-in-hand”, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
China has maintained ties and robust trade with Russia since the latter invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset western sanctions and attempts to isolate Mr Putin.
Meanwhile, the main Hogmanay festivities in Edinburgh have been cancelled due to bad weather.
The street party and fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle were cancelled on Monday afternoon due to a Met Office yellow weather warning which covers most of Scotland throughout Hogmanay.
Organisers Unique Assembly said on Monday the weather at the time meant it was not possible to do the preparations.
They have apologised to those who have travelled to Edinburgh for the cancelled events, which also include the Concert in the Gardens headlined by Scottish band Texas.