December 31st 2024.
As the clock struck midnight, the year 2025 was welcomed with dazzling light shows, warm embraces, and even icy plunges in various communities around the world. From bustling cities like Sydney and Vladivostok to vibrant cities like Mumbai, the celebrations were in full swing.
The festivities began in Auckland, making it the first major city to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Thousands of people gathered in the downtown area, while others climbed the city's volcanic peaks to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking fireworks. As a tribute to the Indigenous people, a stunning light display was also showcased.
The South Pacific Ocean was the first to ring in the new year, with New Zealand leading the way. This was a whole 18 hours before the iconic ball drop in New York's Times Square. However, the celebrations were subdued in some areas like the Middle East, Sudan, and Ukraine due to ongoing conflicts.
The sky was lit up with spectacular fireworks in Sydney, as they blasted off the famous Harbor Bridge and across the bay. More than a million people, including popular British pop star Robbie Williams, gathered at the iconic Sydney Harbor to join in on the festivities. The celebration also included acknowledging the land's first people with Indigenous ceremonies and performances.
In Japan, preparations were underway for the upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac. This year is believed to symbolize rebirth, with the shedding of the reptile's skin. As a result, many temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, and stores were selling snake-themed products. Other countries in Asia will celebrate the Year of the Snake later during the Lunar New Year.
However, the celebrations were toned down in South Korea due to a national mourning period following a tragic plane crash. In Thailand's Bangkok, shopping malls competed for crowds with live musical acts and fireworks shows. The highlight of the night was a performance by popular rap singer Lisa from the South Korean girl group Blackpink, scheduled just before midnight. Indonesia's Jakarta also wowed the crowds with a unique fireworks display featuring 800 drones.
Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported an exchange of New Year's greetings between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This highlighted the growing friendship between the two leaders, who have faced tensions with the West. In his address, Xi also addressed the issue of Taiwan, emphasizing the strong bond between the Chinese people.
In India's financial hub, Mumbai, thousands of revelers flocked to the bustling promenade facing the Arabian Sea. Over in Dubai, a grand fireworks show was held at the magnificent Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper.
In Rome, the traditional New Year's Eve celebrations also marked the start of Pope Francis' Holy Year, which is expected to attract 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City. The pope is set to celebrate a vespers at St. Peter's Basilica, followed by a mass on New Year's Day, where he will urge for peace in war-torn areas like Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, January 1 is a day of obligation, marking the Solemnity of Mary.
Paris will be capping off its momentous year with its traditional countdown and fireworks extravaganza on the Champs-Elysées. The city hosted the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games, which brought joy and unity to the city, as well as incredible sporting achievements. For Frank and Rowena Klar from San Francisco, visiting Paris was a way to celebrate their 31 years together. "If you start it big, we think we're going to have a great year," Frank said.
Wintry weather affected the celebrations in the United Kingdom, with London's fireworks display along the River Thames still set to take place. However, festivities in Edinburgh, Scotland, had to be cancelled due to a storm. On the other hand, some people embraced the cold, taking part in the tradition of stripping and plunging into freezing waters in places like Switzerland.
In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach was the place to be for a grand New Year's Eve bash, with ferries offshore carrying 12 minutes of fireworks. Thousands of tourists on cruise ships were able to witness the spectacular show up close. Meanwhile, more than 2 million people were expected to attend the festivities, which included performances by renowned Brazilian artists like Anitta and Caetano Veloso.
As for American traditions, New York City's Times Square tested its famous ball drop and inspected the 2025 numerals, lights, and crystals as part of a long-standing tradition since 1907. This year's celebration will feature musical performances by popular artists like TLC, Jonas Brothers, Rita Ora, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. In Las Vegas, the pyrotechnic show will take place on the Strip, with an estimated 340,000 people in attendance. Nearby, the massive Sphere venue will also display countdowns to midnight in different time zones.
In Pasadena, people were eagerly camping out and hoping for prime spots to watch the annual Rose Parade. Meanwhile, in Nashville, Tennessee, about 200,000 people were expected to attend a party featuring some of country music's biggest stars.
Lastly, American Samoa will be one of the last places to welcome the year 2025, a full 24 hours after New Zealand. With celebrations happening all over the world, it's clear that the new year has been welcomed with open arms, and people are excited for what the future holds.
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