Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2025 with thousands of revelers counting down to the New Year and cheering with colorful fireworks from New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, and a spectacular light show in the city centre.
South Pacific countries will be the first to welcome the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 6 p.m. before the ball drops in New York’s Times Square.
In Australia, fireworks rang out from the Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the bay to welcome the New Year. More than a million people gathered on Sydney Harbor for a celebration that featured British pop star Robbie Williams, who sang along to the crowd.
The upcoming year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as a year of rebirth, alluding to the reptile shedding its skin. Shops in Japan, which has been following the zodiac cycle since January 1, sold tiny figurines of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products. Other places in Asia will start celebrating the Year of the Snake later with the Lunar New Year.
Jakarta’s New Year’s celebration will feature a dazzling fireworks display, including an air show featuring 800 drones, followed by a midnight countdown at the Indonesia Roundabout Hotel.
