Millions of people around the world prepared to ring in the new year on Tuesday, with celebrations briefly overshadowing conflict in some parts of the world.

South Pacific nations were the first to say goodbye to 2024. In New Zealand, midnight is 18 hours ahead of Eastern Time.

In Auckland, thousands crowded downtown or climbed the city’s ring of volcanic peaks to enjoy fireworks from a vantage point – and watch a light show honoring Auckland’s indigenous tribes.

Two hours later, more than a million people in Australia gathered on Sydney Harbor for the traditional fireworks display. Some partygoers, desperate to secure a good vantage point, arrived nearly 20 hours early.

The celebrations began at 9 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) with the first fireworks display by the indigenous group We Are Warriors. Projections of the Aboriginal fisherwoman Barangaroo were splashed across the Harbor Bridge as fireworks exploded to celebrate the land, sea and sky.

British pop star Robbie Williams is expected to sing along later in the evening.

And across Asia, millions were preparing for the Year of the Snake, considered the year of rebirth in the Asian zodiac.

In Japan, where the zodiac cycle takes effect from January 1, shops were seen selling snake-themed products while temples and homes underwent a deep cleaning before much of the country closed for celebrations.

The mood in South Korea was sombre following Sunday’s Jeju Air plane crash in Muan that killed 179 people. Most celebrations were curtailed or canceled as the country experienced a period of national celebration Grief.

In Israel, the New Year, also known as “Sylvester” by Israelis, is marked by the fact that the war in Gaza is entering its 15th month. According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, scores of hostages remain captive since fighting began in Gaza. More than 45,000 civilians have died in Gaza.

Lebanon is suffering from years of severe economic crisis and severe damage after Israel launched an offensive against the militant group Hezbollah in early September.

Meanwhile, Syrians are optimistic about the coming year after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The war continues in Ukraine. Hundreds of captured soldiers were exchanged with Russia on Monday, one of the few areas of cooperation between the two sides since President Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion.

European cities ring in the New Year with concerts in palaces and musical theater in halls, as well as midnight services followed by sparkling champagne.

Pope Francis will mark the start of the Holy Year, a quarter-century celebration that is expected to attract around 32 million pilgrims.

The pope will celebrate vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday, followed by mass on Wednesday.

Paris will follow a memorable 2024 with the Summer Olympics and the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral with a fireworks spectacular on the famous Champs-Élysées.

But a stormy forecast is likely to dampen the mood in many parts of the UK.

Heavy rain and winds forecast for Scotland have led to the cancellation of Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay celebrations, which usually include a street party, a rock concert and fireworks.

Meanwhile, London celebrates with a parade through the city center with 10,000 performers, while fireworks are staged over Westminster and Big Ben along the Thames.

In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is expected to host more than 2 million people on Copacabana Beach to watch fireworks from ferries parked offshore and concerts by Brazilian pop stars such as Anitta and Caetano Veloso.