Happy New Year: World Steps Into 2025 With Fireworks, Light Shows

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Australia were lit up with bright colours and intricate fireworks, thrilling thousands at the waterfront and millions watching worldwide.

Australia welcomed 2025 with a stunning fireworks display at Sydney Harbour.

Source : @cityofsydney

As the clock struck midnight and heralded the arrival of January 1, 2024, people across the world got out the fireworks to celebrate the New Year. 

While countries like Australia and New Zealand were the first ones to welcome the arrival of New Year, Asia and Europe joined the party with fireworks. 

In India, over 140 crore people bid farewell to 2024 and welcomed the new year with fireworks and jubiliation. Visuals from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and across the cities showed people erupting in celebrations at midnight and enjoying the festivities.    

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | People celebrate and welcome the beginning of the New Year 2025. pic.twitter.com/O4dYshtlde

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2024

New Zealand's largest city Auckland became one of the first major city to welcome 2025 with thousands of people counting down to the new year. The iconic Sky Tower, serving as the centrepiece of the festivities, dazzled spectators with a stunning fireworks display. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR IN NEW ZEALAND! 🎇

Fireworks display lit the skies of Auckland, New Zealand as they welcome 2025.

New Zealand is five hours ahead of the Philippines. (Screenshots/AP) pic.twitter.com/qkL0YqHx5w

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) December 31, 2024

Australia welcomed the New Year with thousands of citizens gathering at the iconic Sydney Opera House to witness the spectacular fireworks and celebrations.

What a show! Our 9pm Calling Country fireworks display was produced by We Are Warriors. It honoured the spirit of Barangaroo, and the deep connection of Eora women to the waterways of Sydney Harbour. #SydneyNYE #NewYearsEve #Sydney pic.twitter.com/hm2FAmk5Xm

— City of Sydney (@cityofsydney) December 31, 2024

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Australia were lit up with bright colours and intricate fireworks, thrilling thousands at the waterfront and millions watching worldwide. One of the people gathered at Sydney Opera House to witness the New Year celebration told ANI, "It was amazing and colourful to celebrate New Year beginning here...My message for New Year is to be happy and have a great year."

The Church of Christ in Bocaue, Philippines made the Guinness World Record for the largest display of fireworks ever. The celebration consisted of 810,904 fireworks and lasted for 1 hour, 1 minute and 32 second. In capital Manila, Filipinos come out to the streets to celebrate with family and friends—singing on the karaoke and blowing their horns.

The British Royal Family was one of the first to post New Year Wishes as New Zealand celebrated the arrival of New Year.

✨🎆 Wishing you a Happy New Year! pic.twitter.com/SzYKzkqYuc

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 31, 2024

However, the celebrations were either muted or cancelled in South Korea as the country mourns the tragic Muan air crash on Sunday, which led to the deaths of 179 people. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that through the period ending on January 4, its year-end events including the Seoul Winter Festa will be scaled back or postponed, while the city will mourn with the public while welcoming 2025. In Thailand, the people offered prayers to mark the new year during a merit-making ceremony.

In Vatican City, Pope Francis held the annucal traditional New Year's Eve vespers service in St. Peter's Basilica. During his address, he thanked Rome for the construction and renovation work that the city has undertaken over the past year to prepare for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, when around 32 million tourists are expected to visit Rome next year.