FRANCE has ushered in the New Year with a breath-taking fireworks display lighting up Paris – with under an hour to go for excited Brits.
Partygoers have spent the night out on the town as they brave the torrid rain and 70mph gales to celebrate the end of 2024 in style.
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The iconic Champs Elysees in Paris welcomed in revellers in their droves as they watched on as a mammoth firework extravaganza blew most other celebrations out of the water.
The Arc de Triomphe took centre stage as a plethora of explosions illuminated the city of love.
It marks the end of a triumphant year for France following on from their successful Olympic Games in the summer.
Most of Europe has now gleefully entered 2025 as festivities ring out across the continent.
Germans packed out Berlin for light shows as the Swiss took part in a number of bizarre traditions to say goodbye to 2024.
Earlier tonight, Dubai wowed onlookers with a mega pyrotechnic display at the Burj Khalifa as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates.
The mesmerising celebration saw fireworks shoot out from the towering structure as it was lit up in spectacular colours.
It comes as Greece also put on a breathtaking show over the ancient Parthenon temple on Acropolis hill in Athens.
Ukraine joined Greece in welcoming in 2025 as they continue to fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia in the nearly three-year long conflict.
Elsewhere the ancient pyramids in Egypt acted as the perfect backdrop for a firework celebration.
It follows Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and India who all kicked off the night of celebrations earlier today.
The Pacific island of Kiritimati – also known as Christmas Island – was the first in the world to hit midnight at 10am UK time.
Auckland in New Zealand followed at 11am, with crowds gathered at the city’s Sky Tower to celebrate, as well as downtown for a lights show.
Tokyo, in Japan, and Seoul, South Korea, were then among the cities to usher in the New Year at 3pm.
Sydney held a spectacular early fireworks display – referred to as Calling Country – for families at 9pm local time.
Photos showed an estimated one million-strong crowd gathered around Sydney Harbour with the atmosphere described as “electric”.
British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong, while Indigenous ceremonies and performances also acknowledged the land’s first people.
Much of Japan shut down for the nations biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called tatami with big sticks.
The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth alluding to the reptiles shedding skin.
In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or cancelled as the country observes a period of national mourning following Sunday’s plane crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people.
Over in Hong Kong, the tourism board called their countdown the largest ever in the city as bright fireworks and a light show lit up the sky.
A star-studded concert and dance performances also took place as joyous revellers welcomed in 2025.
LONDON FIREWORKS DISPLAY
London’s City Hall has been “monitoring the weather” ahead of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations after some of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities were cancelled due to bad weather.
But a spokesperson for the city mayor has now confirmed the celebrations will go ahead.
Almost every part of the country is covered by at least one of the multiple Met Office weather warnings until Wednesday, including floods and 70mph winds for some.
A yellow weather warning of heavy rain and snow is currently in force across most of Scotland, while an amber warning for rain is also in place for an area around Inverness.
Stormy conditions are expected to spread to the rest of the UK as the day goes on, with yellow warnings for wind and rain in place for parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed earlier today that local authorities were continuing “to monitor the weather forecast closely”.
Queues are already starting to form across the capital with people ready to usher in the New Year.
You can follow our live blog below for all the latest updates …
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It’s officially 2025 in Germany, France and Italy – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
January 1
- Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
- 1am – Cape Verde and the Spanish Isles
- 2am – Eastern Brazil, South Georgia and Sandwich Islands
- 3am – Argentina, remaining regions in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay
- 3.30am – Newfoundland and Labrador/Canada
- 4am – Eastern Canada, Bolivia, Puerto Rico
- 5am – Eastern Standard Time in the US – New York, Washington, Detroit and Cuba
- 6am – Central Standard Time in the US – Chicago
- 7am – Mountain Standard Time in the US – Colorado, Arizona
- 8am – Pacific Standard Time in the US – LA, Nevada
- 9am – Alaska and French Polynesia
- 10am – Hawaii, Tahiti and Cook Island
- 11am – American Samoa
- 12pm – Baker Island, Howland Island
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Inside Switzerland’s bizarre start to the New Year
The Swiss are due to celebrate the start of 2025 at 11pm (UK time) with the European nation known for their odd activities to celebrate the year.
One event, dubbed the Achetringele procession, sees members of the public dress up as “Baesemann” figures.
Translated in English as “broom man”, the event sees people put on a creepy wooden mask and carry around a large broom across the region of Laupen.
Revellers also take air-filled pig bladders with them on the journey across the city.
The idea is to drive away evil spirits so everyone starts the New Year on a clean and happy slate.
Elsewhere, the Swiss are also known to take part in a traditional New Year’s Eve dip at Lake Moossee in Moosseedorf.
People of all ages come together to celebrate together in the crystal clear waters as they wash away the previous year’s woes.
A young âBaesemannâ carrying a long-handled broom with him on last year’s âAchetringeleâ processionCredit: EPA 
The event takes over the region of Laupen each New Years EveCredit: EPA 
Elsewhere Swiss swimmers also take part in a traditional New Yearâs Eve dip at Lake Moossee in MoosseedorfCredit: AP -
Dozens more countries enter into 2025
An eleventh time zone has ticked over past midnight across three separate continents.
Greece, Ukraine, South Africa and Egypt are among the biggest nations to have just kicked off their New Year celebrations.
Elsewhere, Sudan, Libya, Israel, Lebanon, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland have also joined the 2025 club.
Almost 20 other countries are also currently celebrating.
Drones form a 2025 next to the ancient Parthenon temple on Acropolis hill in AthensCredit: Reuters Fireworks erupt over the Giza Pyramids just outside of Cairo, EgyptCredit: AP
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Welcome to The Sun’s New Year’s blog
If you’re just joining us, we’re running a live blog today as countries begin to enter 2025 – with just two hours to go until the UK welcomes in a new year.
We’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments from the UK and around the world.
Already revellers in New Zealand and Australia have celebrated with elaborate fireworks displays.
In the UK, officials in Newcastle have been forced to cancel a fireworks display at the Quayside over concerns about the weather, while Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled in Edinburgh due to high winds.
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More Brits head out to celebrate in the rain
Revellers in Leeds have kicked off their celebrations as they hide under coatsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
The weather in Leeds hasn’t dampened any spirits as people are continuing to flock to eventsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
Pals in Liverpool city centre get ready for an action packed night outCredit: LNP -
Who celebrates the New Year last?
The last ones to ring in the New Year will be Baker Island and Howland Island. The islands will see 2025 at 12pm GMT on January 1.
Baker and Howland Islands are almost halfway between Hawaii and Australia.
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Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne at New Year?
Auld Lang Syne has been sung on New Year’s Eve for generations it almost seems impossible to picture a time before the anthem.
The song originated in Scotland but became popular through Hollywood films.
Guy Lombardo and his band played the song at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on New Year’s Eve 1929.
The song was later featured on the radio and soon became a New Year’s tradition.
Credit: ITV -
Queues beginning to form across London
There are now less than four hours to go until the UK celebrates the New Year with thousands of revellers already queuing up for various events being put on across London.
It comes as pubs and bars across major cities in Britain have already started to fill up in anticipation of a joyous evening.
The main traditional fireworks display will come in London as Big Ben strikes midnight and welcomes in 2025.
Revellers queue up on Whitehall before the New Yearâs Eve fireworksCredit: LNP 
Thousands have already started to celebrateCredit: LNP 
Families head towards the London Eye ahead of the celebrationsCredit: LNP -
Dubai celebrates 2025 in style
The glitzy city of Dubai has wowed onlookers with a mega pyrotechnic display at the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa.
Fireworks and synchronised water jets all shot into the night sky as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates.
The mesmerising display saw fireworks shoot out from the Burj Khalifa as the tower was lit up in spectacular colours.
The words “Happy New Year” were also projected onto the building in various languages.
Dubai has ushered in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display from the world’s tallest building – the Burj KhalifaCredit: AP 
The Burj Khalifa had been lit up with a dazzling displayCredit: AP 
Fireworks rang out across DubaiCredit: Reuters 
A light show and fireworks illuminated the Burj KhalifaCredit: AFP 
The Burj Khalifa was the centrepiece for the UAE’s joyous celebrationsCredit: Reuters
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Brits brave torrid weather to celebrate New Year
Partygoers are already heading out across the UK as midnight draws closer.
Weather warnings of high winds and rainy conditions later on this evening have done little to damper the spirits of Brits.
With thousands already taking over the cities of Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool ahead of New Year.
New Year revellers are braving the weather in Leeds as they prepare for a night of celebrationsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
Celebrations are also underway in a rainy LiverpoolCredit: London News Pictures 
Partygoers in Birmingham have dressed up for the exciting evening aheadCredit: SWNS -
In pictures: joyous displays across India
The streets of Bangalore, India were packed out with peopleCredit: EPA 
People flash lights from their phones at a New Year’s Eve celebration in MumbaiCredit: Reuters 
A giant light show flashed up the words ‘Happy New Year 2025’Credit: Reuters 
A couple celebrate the New Year with a romantic gestureCredit: Reuters -
Pakistan officially welcomes New Year at 7pm – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
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Birmingham revellers prepare for a big night of New Year celebrations
Birmingham city centre is starting to fill out with joyous locals who are starting their nights early before 2024 comes to a close in just hours.
Celebrations across the UK are due to get underway as people flock to bars, pubs and huge events being out on throughout the evening.
Three ladies pose for a picture in Birmingham city centreCredit: Alamy 
Two of the woman are donning celebratory glasses welcoming in 2025 -
London’s firework extravaganza will go ahead
The iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks in the capital is set to go ahead as planned at midnight tonight despite serious concerns over the weather.
A London mayor spokesperson confirmed the event will continue with revellers already preparing for the shift into 2025.
Ticketholders for the event and the “many millions watching around the world” should be set for “a spectacular night of fireworks from the banks of the Thames to welcome in the new year,” the spokesperson added.
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Hong Kong officially enters 2025 with largest ever celebrations in the city
The dazzling city of Hong Kong has celebrated going into the New Year with a huge firework display.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board called the countdown event on the Victoria Harbour the largest ever in the city.
A star-studded concert and dance performances also took place as joyous revellers welcomed in 2025.
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong KongCredit: AFP 
People react to the fireworks in Hong Kong as 2025 gets underwayCredit: Reuters 
The show went on for some time with many coming out to celebrateCredit: AFP
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In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney
Here are some images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.
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Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia officially welcome New Year – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm – Bangladesh
- 6.15pm – Nepal
- 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm – Pakistan
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
- 10pm – Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
- 11pm – Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
- Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
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Hong Kong and China officially welcome New Year – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 5pm – Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
- 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm – Bangladesh
- 6.15pm – Nepal
- 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm – Pakistan
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More events cancelled
Organisers in Blackpool, Ripon and Isle of Wight have followed Edinburgh and Newcastle in cancelling firework displays while London is “monitoring the weather”.
You can follow us here for all the latest updates.
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More bizarre NYE traditions
Kissing loved ones when the clock strikes twelve may be a little odd, but it is one of the most popular NYE traditions.
In Puerto Rico, some will dump a bucket of water out the window to drive away evil spirits or sprinkle sugar outside for good luck. Now that’s bizarre.
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Steve Lamacq receives MBE in New Year’s Honours list – but what is it?
The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, with New Year’s Day being marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours.
Among those being honoured this year are Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, Gareth Southgate, former manager of the England national football team, and broadcaster and former NME journalist Steve Lamacq, pictured below with Noel Gallagher.
Lamacq, who hosts a Monday afternoon music show on BBC Radio 6 Music, has been nominated with an MBE for his services to broadcasting and music venues.
Credit: BBC
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Crowds gather in Whitehall ahead of London’s fireworks display
Revellers have already begun gathering in Whitehall ahead of tonight’s fireworks display in London.
Here are some of the latest images from the capital.
Credit: ALAMY -
Hong Kong prepares for 2025
Here are some great pictures of children and families in Hong Kong at the weekend, attending the city’s Winter Carnival 2024.
The carnival celebrates the last weekend of the year.
Hong Kong will officially welcome in 2025 in 90 minutes.
Credit: GETTY -
Japan officially welcomes New Year at 3pm – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 3.15pm – Western Australia (Perth and Eucla)
- 4pm – China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore
- 5pm – Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
- 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm – Bangladesh
- 6.15pm – Nepal
- 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm – Pakistan
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
- 10pm – Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
- 11pm – Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
- Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
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In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney
Here are some more images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.
Credit: GETTY 
Credit: GETTY