Spectacular displays bring in new year across the world

Revellers have cheered in the new year around the world including millions across the UK, despite bad weather forcing the cancellation of many celebrations.

- TARA COBHAM

From Sydney to Mumbai and Nairobi, communities around the world began welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.

Countries in the South Pacific Ocean were the first to ring in the new year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.

Auckland became the first major city to celebrate, as thousands thronged downtown or climbed the city’s ring of volcanic peaks for a vantage point for the fireworks as well as a light display recognising Indigenous people.

Meanwhile, conflict muted acknowledgements of the new year in places like the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine.

A storm bringing bitter weather put a dampener on festivities in the UK, with a number of celebrations scrapped.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events, which include a street party and fireworks, were cancelled due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, fireworks displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight were all axed.

However, London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks went ahead as planned as the capital defied weather concerns with a spectacular display that saw thousands gather on the banks of the River Thames.

The show was organised by the mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who had declared it the “biggest fireworks taking place anywhere across Europe”.

Just a couple of hours before midnight, the Met Office issued a fresh amber warning for heavy rain that was set to lash parts of the country to begin 2025.