Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2025, with thousands of revelers counting down the New Year and cheering on colorful fireworks from New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, and a spectacular city center light show.

The South Pacific country was the first to ring in the New Year, with New Zealand’s clock striking midnight 18 hours earlier than the ball dropped in New York’s Times Square.

In Australia, fireworks are set off over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the bay to welcome the New Year. More than a million people gathered on Sydney Harbor for the celebrations, hosted by British pop star Robbie Williams, who sang along with the crowd.

The upcoming Asian zodiac sign, the Year of the Snake, is heralded with rebirth, hinting at the reptilian shedding of its skin. Japanese stores that observe the zodiac cycle from January 1 have been selling figurines of the Smiling Snake and other snake-themed products. The rest of Asia will begin celebrating the Year of the Snake after the Lunar New Year.

Jakarta’s New Year celebrations will feature a dazzling fireworks display, including a flight display from 800 drones, followed by a midnight countdown at Indonesian hotels around the island.