The world has welcomed 2026 with a bang, as revellers enjoyed fireworks and parties to usher in the New Year.
The Pacific island nation of Kiribati was the first country to enter 2026, as the clock struck midnight in its Line Islands, officially kicking off New Year celebrations worldwide.
Auckland in New Zealand marked the occasion with a spectacular fireworks display over the Sky Tower, featuring 3,500 fireworks launched from multiple levels of the 787-foot tower, as crowds gathered in the city’s Central Business District.
Other Pacific nations, including Samoa, Tonga, and Tokelau, also celebrated the start of the year.
In Australia, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge lit up the night sky as thousands of residents and tourists gathered along the waterfront for the city’s world-famous fireworks – a vibrant display of colour, light, and music.
Russia celebrated the start of 2026 with a series of events across its many time zones, beginning in the Far East and ending with a major celebration in Moscow.
In the capital, large crowds gathered at Red Square to watch the traditional countdown and a massive fireworks display over the Kremlin.
In UK, London rang in 2026 with a massive fireworks display over the London Eye, marking a full-scale return to its world-famous celebrations.
The 12-minute show, themed “The Spirit of Renewal,” featured music highlighting the biggest cultural moments of the past year.
In France, Paris welcomed the New Year with a massive public celebration on the Champs-Élysées, where hundreds of thousands of people gathered to party.
This year, the city traded a traditional concert for a high-tech light show, using video mapping to project stunning visuals directly onto the Arc de Triomphe.
The entire show was set to a musical score by André Manoukian and a playlist created entirely by female artists, all centred around the theme “The Art of Living.”
Berlin in Germany celebrated the start of 2026 by turning its famous “Party Mile” into a massive techno festival called “Yeah 26!” The city created a huge 600-meter dance floor that stretched between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column.
In Spain, the heart of the New Year celebration was Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where the famous clock tower led the country into 2026.
Thousands of people in the square joined millions watching at home to take part in the “12 lucky grapes” tradition, eating one grape with every chime of the bell to bring good luck for each month of the year.
The Netherlands celebrated the New Year with a modern, eco-friendly “Electric” show in Amsterdam that focused on sustainability.
Instead of traditional fireworks, the city used a mix of drones, high-tech lights, and environmentally friendly pyrotechnics to create a spectacular display with less pollution.
Finland began its year as the European Capital of Culture with a massive concert in Oulu featuring some of the country’s most popular musical artists.
Meanwhile, Madeira, Portugal, hosted its famous 360-degree fireworks display, where rockets were launched from the mountains and the sea at the same time for a spectacular view.
In a quieter approach, Athens updated its celebration to be more inclusive by using low-noise fireworks and drones to protect pets and children who are sensitive to loud sounds.
