Watch London cheer in 2026, as clocks strike midnight in Europe

More than 100,000 people have gathered along the River Thames in London to hear the city’s iconic Big Ben ring in the new year and watch a colourful explosion of fireworks synched to each chime.

From Paris to Dubai to Sydney, crowds have marked the start of 2026 with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or drumming, but other cities have taken a more subdued approach, with some events cancelled due to security concerns, including a concert traditionally held along the Champs-Elysees.

Hong Kong also held limited celebrations following the fire that ripped through an apartment complex, killing 161 people, in late November.

This is how other cities around the world have celebrated over the past 24 hours, as the new year has touched upon their time zone. New York will hit midnight at 4pm AEDT today.

Auckland (10pm Wednesday AEDT)

Auckland rang in 2026 with a downtown fireworks display launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, making it the first major world city to greet the new year at a celebration dampened by rain. The five-minute display involved 3500 fireworks launched from various floors of the 240-metre Sky Tower.

All eyes were on Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve, where, weeks on from the Bondi attack, hundreds of thousands of people observed a minute’s silence for the victims.

The crowd held their phone torch lights aloft at 11pm AEDT while a menorah was projected onto the Harbour Bridge’s pylons and a dove with the words “peace” and “unity” were displayed. The silent reflection contrasted with the brilliant firework display that rang out across the world-famous harbour at midnight.

There was a heavy security presence throughout the festivities, with thousands of armed police in attendance to ensure the crowds were safe. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event.

In Melbourne, hundreds of thousands braved a cold evening to watch fireworks displays across the city to ring in the new year. The seven-minute fireworks shows lit up the sky across Melbourne, first at 9.30pm, then the main show at midnight – a spectacular display along the Yarra River.

Tokyo (2am Thursday AEDT)

In Japan, where fireworks aren’t a traditional part of festivities, temple bells rang across the country. Others ate noodles in a traditional wish for long life because of the noodles’ shape.

Seoul (2am AEDT)

Thousands gathered at the Bosingak bell pavilion in Seoul, where a bronze bell was struck 33 times at midnight – a tradition rooted in Buddhist cosmology, symbolising the 33 heavens. The chimes are believed to dispel misfortune and welcome peace and prosperity for the year ahead.

Hong Kong (3am AEDT)

In Hong Kong, the annual New Year’s fireworks display was called off after the Wang Fuk Court blaze – the city’s worst fire in decades. Instead, a light show with the theme of “New hopes, new beginnings” transformed facades in the Central district.

Beijing (3am AEDT)

There were celebrations at the Juyong Pass, at the Great Wall of China just outside Beijing, with drummers and a display of computer-generated horses shown over part of the Wall

Revellers wore headgear and waved boards emblazoned with “2026” and the symbol of a horse. February will mark the arrival of the Year of the Horse on the Chinese lunar calendar.

Jakarta and Bali (4am AEDT)

Cities around Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra island a month ago, claiming more than 1100 lives. Concerts and fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with a cultural event featuring traditional dances.

Dubai (7am AEDT)

A light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as fireworks exploded around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Moscow (8am AEDT)

Russians celebrated in snowy Moscow, but at Red Square, firework displays were cancelled and the square itself was closed to visitors until 8am on January 1 because of enhanced security.

Kyiv (9am AEDT)

Many Ukrainians lamented that after nearly four years of conflict with Russia, peace still seemed a distant prospect. But wrapped up warm and visiting a Christmas tree set up in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, nine-year-old Olesia was more optimistic. “I think there will be peace in the new year,” she said.

Gaza (9am AEDT)

In Gaza, Palestinians said they hoped the new year brought an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. “The war humiliated us,” said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from the southern city of Rafah.

Berlin (10am AEDT)

Berliners took selfies and made snowmen in front of the German capital’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, where a laser show dazzled revellers at the “Yeah 26” event.

Rome (10am AEDT)

Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile.

Paris (10am AEDT)

In Paris, revellers converged around the glittering Champs-Elysees avenue, despite the cancellation of a New Year’s Eve concert. Taissiya Girda, a 27-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan, expressed hope for a calmer 2026. “I would like to see happy people around me, no war anywhere,” she said. “Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, I want everybody to be happy and in peace.”

London (11am AEDT)

The iconic bongs of Big Ben rang in the new year, the BBC reported, as fireworks blasted up around London’s famous Eye ferris wheel. That was followed by music from a playlist of some of the UK’s biggest moments of the year with the top songs from 2025.

Still to come

Police in New York City have planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the Times Square ball drop at midnight (4pm AEDT), with “mobile screening teams”. It was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch.

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After the ball drops it will rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday. And Zohran Mamdani will take his oath of office at midnight on a centuries-old Koran – marking the first time a mayor of New York City uses Islam’s holy text to be sworn in – at a ceremony in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall.

On Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, staging was being set up for a massive music and fireworks party known as Reveillon. Organisers were hoping to beat their 2024 Guinness World Record for the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration.

AP, Reuters

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