Sydney has joined New Zealand in welcoming 2026 with a spectacular fireworks display, marking the start of New Year celebrations around the world.
The night sky above Sydney Harbour was illuminated as crowds gathered near the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, while boats filled the waters below for the annual festivities. Midnight in Sydney fell at 1 pm UK time, with Australia 11 hours ahead.
Earlier evening fireworks had already set the festive mood, as revellers cheered and shared the celebrations across the city.
New Zealand also celebrated the new year in style, with public festivities and fireworks as the clock struck midnight at 11 am UK time. The nation was among the first major countries to enter 2026, shortly after Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island) and several sparsely populated Pacific islands.
The Chatham Islands, home to around 600 residents, welcomed 2026 slightly ahead of mainland New Zealand.
Meanwhile, celebrations were already underway in other parts of the Pacific, including Tonga and Samoa, before Eastern and Central Australia joined in. In Asia, cities such as Seoul marked the New Year with vibrant light shows and fireworks.
Countries further west will be the last to greet 2026. Two uninhabited islands, Baker Island and Howland Island, southwest of Hawaii, are expected to be the final places to enter the new year.
The United States will be among the last major nations to celebrate, with cities like New York and Washington, D.C. set to welcome 2026 at 5 am GMT.
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