How the World Welcomed 2026: From Auckland's Fireworks to Sydney's Defiance

Auckland Leads the Way into 2026

In Melbourne, Auckland kicked off the New Year celebrations for 2026 with a spectacular fireworks display from the iconic Sky Tower, New Zealand's tallest building. This event marked the first major city to bid farewell to 2025, occurring 18 hours ahead of the famous Times Square ball drop in New York City.

The five-minute fireworks show featured 3,500 individual fireworks launched from various levels of the 240-meter Sky Tower. However, many smaller community events across New Zealand's North Island were canceled due to forecasts predicting rain and thunderstorms.

Sydney's Resilient Celebration Amid Tragedy

Australia's east coast welcomed 2026 two hours after New Zealand, but Sydney's celebrations were overshadowed by the recent tragedy of the worst mass shooting in nearly three decades. On December 14, two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 fatalities and 40 injuries.

A significant police presence was evident as thousands gathered at the downtown waterfront to witness a stunning fireworks display centered around the Sydney Harbor Bridge. For the first time, many officers were seen carrying rapid-fire rifles.

Just before midnight, a moment of silence was observed to honor the victims of the massacre, with attendees holding lit candles and illuminating their phones while images of a menorah were projected onto the bridge's pylons. The crowd was encouraged to show support for Australia's Jewish community.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents to attend the festivities despite fears, emphasizing that smaller crowds would be seen as a victory for extremists. He stated, “We can’t let this horrific act change how we live in our beautiful city.”

Subdued Celebrations in Indonesia and Hong Kong

In Indonesia, cities opted for more muted New Year’s Eve celebrations in solidarity with communities affected by devastating floods and landslides that claimed over 1,100 lives on Sumatra island last month. Jakarta's festivities were replaced with a reflective program focused on prayers for the victims, as announced by city Governor Pramono Anung.

In Makassar, the mayor encouraged residents to skip parties in favor of prayer and reflection, stating, “Empathy and restraint are more meaningful than fireworks and crowds.” Bali's usual concerts and fireworks were also canceled, replaced by a cultural arts event featuring traditional dance performances.

Hong Kong also chose to forgo its typical vibrant fireworks display over Victoria Harbor due to a tragic fire in November that resulted in at least 161 deaths. Instead, the city's tourism board organized a music show featuring the soft rock duo Air Supply and other artists, with eight landmarks transformed into giant countdown clocks for a three-minute light show at midnight.

Traditional Celebrations Across Asia

Many Asian countries welcomed the New Year by honoring age-old traditions. In Japan, crowds gathered at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo to hear the bell strike at midnight, while Seoul, South Korea, held a bell tolling and countdown ceremony at the Bosingak Pavilion.

China's Xi Jinping Issues New Year Threats

In a New Year’s Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the nation’s advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, while reiterating threats against Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. He stated, “We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship,” asserting that the reunification of China is an unstoppable trend, coinciding with large-scale military drills around the island.

Berliners Celebrate in the Snow

In Berlin, both locals and tourists celebrated the end of 2025 amidst snowfall, taking selfies and building snowmen in front of the city's cathedral and the iconic Brandenburg Gate. The famous Berlin TV Tower was nearly obscured by the falling snow and fog.

Quieter Celebrations in Greece and Cyprus

Greece and Cyprus welcomed 2026 with a more subdued approach, opting for low-noise fireworks, light shows, and drone displays instead of traditional loud pyrotechnics. Officials stated that this change aims to create a more welcoming environment for children and pets, particularly those sensitive to loud noises.