Sydney has joined New Zealand in welcoming 2026 with a dazzling fireworks display, kicking off New Year celebrations across the globe. Fireworks lit up the night sky over Sydney Harbour as crowds gathered near the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, while boats packed the water below for the annual celebration. Midnight in Sydney struck at 1pm UK time, with Australia running 11 hours ahead. An earlier evening fireworks show had already set the party mood, as revellers cheered and shared the moment across the city. New Zealand also ushered in the new year in style, with public celebrations and fireworks as clocks chimed midnight there at 11am UK time. The country was among the first major nations to enter 2026, shortly after Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, and several sparsely populated Pacific islands. New Zealands Chatham Islands, home to around 600 people, slipped into 2026 a few minutes ahead of the mainland. Elsewhere, celebrations were already underway in parts of the Pacific, including Tonga and Samoa, before Eastern and Central Australia followed suit. In Asia, cities like Seoul marked the New Year with colourful light shows and fireworks. Countries further west on the world map will be the last to welcome 2026. Two uninhabited islands, Baker Island and Howland Island, southwest of Hawaii are expected to be the final places to cross into the new year. The United States is among the last major nations to celebrate, with cities like New York City and Washington, D.C. set to ring in 2026 at 5am GMT. Watch the video below. View this post on Instagram
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