As the U.S. prepares to celebrate New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, millions of people around the world have been ringing in 2026.
The big picture: South Pacific countries were the first to farewell 2025 and welcome New Year’s Day — 18 hours ahead of New York City, where organizers were preparing for the iconic Times Square ball drop.
Children light up sparklers during New Year ‘s celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines on Jan. 1, 2026. Photo: Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images
Fireworks explode next to the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis during New Year celebrations in Athens, Greece, on Jan. 1. Photo: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images
A fireworks display during New Year celebrations in Lusail, Qatar, early on Jan. 1. Photo: Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images
A spinners gathering at an arena for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on Dec. 31. Photo: Zinyange Auntony/AFP via Getty Images
Revelers watch fireworks during the New Year’s celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan on Jan. 1. Photo: Rizwan Tabassum/AFP via Getty Images
New Year’s fireworks near the The Huc Bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Jan. 1. Photo: Nhac NGUYEN / AFP via Getty Images
Auckland, New Zealand, becomes the first major city to welcome Jan. 1, 2026. Photo: Rebecca Falconer/Axios
Flashback: New Year’s celebrations in U.S. and around the world in 2025
Editor’s note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more photos as they come in.
Source: Photos: New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world, as countries ring in 2026
