NEW YORK (AP) — From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or light shows, while others took a more subdued approach. As the clock struck midnight in Japan, temple bells rang and some climbed mountains to see the year’s first sunrise, while a light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai. The countdown to 2026 was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, while in Moscow people celebrated in the snow.
In New York City’s Times Square, revelers braved frigid temperatures to celebrate with the famed New Year’s Eve ball drop. Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Year’s Eve ball covered in more than 5,000 crystals descended down a pole and confetti rained down in Times Square. Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound ball drop. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennon’s 'Imagine.' After the ball dropped it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.
In Rio de Janeiro, revelers packed over 4 kilometers of Copacabana Beach for concerts and a 12-minute fireworks show despite high tides that had both organizers and tourists worried. In Sydney, a heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks, with many officers openly carrying rapid-fire rifles following a recent tragic event at Bondi Beach. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents to show defiance against the extremists behind the violence.
Other events mirrored a more somber tone. Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides that killed over 1,100. Hong Kong renounced fireworks entirely after a significant fire resulted in loss of life, relying instead on light shows. Amidst the celebrations, many voices echoed wishes for peace, as seen in the heartfelt sentiments from Paris and other cities, where hopes for calm and unity filled the air. Enduring moments of silence were honored, exemplifying the resilience and shared humanity that often intertwine during the turn of the year.
In New York City’s Times Square, revelers braved frigid temperatures to celebrate with the famed New Year’s Eve ball drop. Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Year’s Eve ball covered in more than 5,000 crystals descended down a pole and confetti rained down in Times Square. Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound ball drop. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennon’s 'Imagine.' After the ball dropped it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.
In Rio de Janeiro, revelers packed over 4 kilometers of Copacabana Beach for concerts and a 12-minute fireworks show despite high tides that had both organizers and tourists worried. In Sydney, a heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks, with many officers openly carrying rapid-fire rifles following a recent tragic event at Bondi Beach. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents to show defiance against the extremists behind the violence.
Other events mirrored a more somber tone. Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides that killed over 1,100. Hong Kong renounced fireworks entirely after a significant fire resulted in loss of life, relying instead on light shows. Amidst the celebrations, many voices echoed wishes for peace, as seen in the heartfelt sentiments from Paris and other cities, where hopes for calm and unity filled the air. Enduring moments of silence were honored, exemplifying the resilience and shared humanity that often intertwine during the turn of the year.
