Global New Year Celebrations: A Tapestry of Traditions

Sat Jan 31 2026 15:57:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the world welcomed the New Year, celebrations unfolded in diverse and unique ways across different cultures, reflecting a rich tapestry of traditions and emotions.

From the tranquil shores of Kiritimati to the vibrant lights of Sydney and New Zealand, countries around the world marked the arrival of the New Year with fireworks, cultural ceremonies, and reflections amid recent tragedies. In Sydney, a solemn moment paid tribute to victims of recent attacks, while festivities bloomed in places like Bali and Krakow, showcasing a diverse global celebration of hope and renewal.

Nations around the world are welcoming the New Year as midnight strikes across different time zones.

The island of Kiritimati - an atoll in the remote Pacific nation of Kiribati - became the first place to enter 2026. One tourist there told us he marked it on a beach with no satellites, no signs of human life, complete darkness and countless crabs.

New Zealand soon followed by welcoming the New Year with fireworks in Auckland. A firework display lit up from the top of Auckland's Sky Tower marked the occasion in vibrant style.

In Australia, celebrations illuminated the sky over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, festivities were overshadowed by sadness, as the nation held a moment of silence for victims of a recent attack. A Jewish menorah was projected onto the Harbor Bridge, symbolizing peace and unity.

In other parts of the world, distinct local customs added to the global New Year celebration. In Le Cap d'Agde, France, revelers participated in a traditional sea dip, while Copenhagen's Islands Brygge Harbour Bath welcomed swimmers braving the cold waters for a splash known as Nytaarsbad.

Residents in the Netherlands observed the unique tradition of carbide shooting in Ommen, with milk cans transformed into makeshift cannons. In Osaka, Japan, young women adorned in traditional kimono participated in a Shinto ritual procession to mark the end of the year.

Krakow, Poland saw colorful runners dressing in costumes for the annual New Year’s Run in the Old Town, while in Bali, Indonesia, locals performed a traditional dance to release the sun of 2025 and usher in 2026.