Wednesday, January 8, 2025

In pictures: New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off around the world

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The year is drawing to a close around the world, and pictures of wild celebrations are emerging as populations say goodbye to 2024.

The past year has seen the global population hit around 8.2 billion, an Olympic Games in Paris watched by 5 billion people, and the continuation of wars in Europe and the Middle East.

It has also seen billions of people take to the polls in elections across more than 70 countries, from Madagascar to India, the United Kingdom to the United States.

But tonight is a night of celebration for many as bottles are popped open to see the start of the millennium’s 26th year.

And with it comes the chance – or the pressure – to finally get started with those long-delayed resolutions.

Here are all the pictures from New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the globe as they come in.

New Zealand

Auckland, on New Zealand’s north island, welcomes in 2025 with a fireworks display at Sky Tower

Auckland, on New Zealand’s north island, welcomes in 2025 with a fireworks display at Sky Tower (1News)

Australia

There had been fears the Sydney fireworks would be cancelled due to train strikes

There had been fears the Sydney fireworks would be cancelled due to train strikes (AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House (AFP via Getty Images)
Revellers turned out in large numbers to witness Melbourne’s New Year celebrations

Revellers turned out in large numbers to witness Melbourne’s New Year celebrations (Getty Images)

Japan

A projection was displayed on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building as Japan welcomed in 2025

A projection was displayed on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building as Japan welcomed in 2025 (REUTERS)
People in Japan react joyfully following the countdown to the end of 2024

People in Japan react joyfully following the countdown to the end of 2024 (REUTERS)

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