World welcomes New Year as celebrations kick off with spectacular firework displays and light shows

31 December 2024, 14:25 | Updated: 31 December 2024, 21:32

Crowds have watched firework displays in countries across east and south-east Asia to mark the start of 2025.

Auckland became the first major city in the world to welcome 2025.

Thousands of revellers counted down to the new year and cheered as colourful fireworks launched from New Zealand's tallest structure, the Sky Tower, as part of a light show.

Many also climbed the city's ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point, as well as a light display recognising Auckland's Indigenous tribes.

Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking a full 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.

New year celebrations are also taking place across parts of the Middle East and Central Asia with cities putting on spectacular displays to usher in 2025.

Dubai has prepared 15,600 pyrotechnic elements for its fireworks display at the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa.

A display of soaring water jets from the Dubai Fountain is also synchronised with the show.

There were also fireworks over the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.

Back in the UK, the royal family shared a clip wishing everyone a Happy New Year to mark the start of 2025.

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In Australia, more than one million people went to Sydney Harbour for the traditional fireworks.

Brit star Robbie Williams is leading a singalong and Indigenous ceremonies and performances will acknowledge the land's first people.

Meanwhile, much of Japan has shut down ahead of the nation's biggest holiday.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth - alluding to the reptile's shedding skin.

In South Korea, celebrations have been cut back or cancelled as the country observes a period of national mourning following the crash on Sunday of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people.

Over in the UK, several New Year's celebrations have been cancelled due to bad weather.

Newcastle is the latest to affected by the 'severe weather', with its fireworks display having been cancelled.

It comes after Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party and Blackpool's fireworks events were cancelled due to high winds.

The fireworks display in London is still due to go ahead, with mayor Sadiq Khan saying there will be nods to some of the biggest milestones from 2024, including the Olympics and D-Day commemorations.

"You’re going to bear witness to the greatest fireworks this city has ever seen," Mr Khan told LBC.

"We’ve had a crew of more than 32 working since December 27, day and night, to make sure these fireworks are fantastic.

"[It is] the biggest fireworks display taking place anywhere in Europe, with more than 120,000 fireworks, hundreds of lights being displayed and a great soundtrack with a taste for every generation."

He added: "There’s lots to look back on, but I’m really keen to look forward, look forward with hope and optimism.

"I really do think the best days for our city and our country lay ahead of us rather than behind us."

Meanwhile, NHS staff are preparing for one of the busiest nights of the year as New Year's Eve celebrations get underway.