Auckland was the first major city to ring in 2026 with fireworks from New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, followed by defiant celebrations in Australia after its worst mass shooting.

The South Pacific countries were the first to say goodbye to 2025. The clocks stuck midnight in Auckland 18 hours before the famous ball drop in New York’s Times Square. The five-minute display included 3,500 fireworks.

Defiant celebration in Australia after mass shooting

The east coast of Australia welcomed the year 2026 two hours after New Zealand. In Sydney, the country’s largest city, celebrations were held under the auspices of Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years.

Two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and injuring 40.

A heavy police presence monitored thousands of people who gathered on the waterfront to watch the fireworks display centered on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the annual event.

An hour before midnight, a minute’s silence was held to honor the victims of the massacre, while menorah images were projected onto the pillars of the bridge. Those gathered are invited to show solidarity with the Australian Jewish community.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has urged Sydneysiders not to stay away out of fear, saying extremists will interpret fewer crowds at New Year’s celebrations as a victory.

“We must show defiance in the face of this horrible crime and say that we will not bow down to this type of terrorism,” he said.

Indonesia and Hong Kong are holding low-key events

In Indonesia, one of Australia’s closest neighbours, cities scaled back festivities in a gesture of solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides that hit parts of the island of Sumatra a month ago, killing more than 1,100.

The capital, Jakarta, did not ring out its usual fanfare in 2026, opting for subdued celebrations with a program focused on prayers for the victims, Pramono Anung, the city’s governor, said last week.

Munafri Arifuddin, the mayor of Makassar, called on residents of one of Indonesia’s largest cities to give up partying, calling for prayer and reflection. “Empathy and restraint make more sense than fireworks and crowds,” he said.

Concerts and fireworks on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali have been canceled and replaced by a cultural arts event featuring traditional dances.

And Hong Kong rang in 2026 without the usual spectacle in the sky above the iconic Victoria Harbour, after a huge fire in November killed at least 161 people.

The facades of eight landmarks were transformed into huge countdown clocks that presented a three-minute light show at midnight.

Many parts of Asia welcome the new year by respecting ancient traditions.

In Japan, crowds gathered at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo for the bell that struck midnight. In the capital of South Korea, Seoul, a ringing and countdown ceremony was held at Bosingak Pavilion.

Berliners celebrate in the snow

Both tourists and Berliners marked the end of 2025 by enjoying the winter snowfall, taking selfies and building a snowman in front of the German capital’s cathedral and the legendary Brandenburg Gate. The Berlin TV tower was almost invisible thanks to the snowflakes and fog.

Quieter celebrations in Greece and Cyprus

Greece and Cyprus welcomed 2026 by turning down the volume — replacing traditional fireworks with silent pyrotechnics, light shows and drone displays in capital cities. Silent fireworks avoid the explosive bangs that create the loud crackling of traditional displays.

Officials in those countries said the purpose of the change was to make the celebrations more pleasant for children and pets, especially animals sensitive to loud noises.

Extra security in New York

New York City police will have extra counter-terrorism measures in Times Square, with “mobile screening teams” on the lookout for suspicious activity. It is not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Zohran Mamdani will take over as mayor in early 2026. Two swearing-in ceremonies are planned, beginning with a private ceremonial event around midnight at the old subway station.