From Sydney to Mumbai to Nairobi, communities around the world welcomed 2025 with spectacular light shows, hugs and ice jumps.

Auckland was the first major city to celebrate as thousands streamed into the city center or climbed the city’s ring of volcanic peaks to enjoy fireworks from a viewing point. A light display honored indigenous peoples.

South Pacific countries are the first to ring in the New Year. In New Zealand, midnight strikes 18 hours before the ball is dropped in Times Square, New York.

Conflict dampened recognition of the New Year in countries such as the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine.

Earliest fireworks

Fireworks exploded from the Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the bay. More than a million Australians and others gathered on Sydney’s famous harbor to celebrate. British pop star Robbie Williams sang along with the crowd.

The celebration also included indigenous ceremonies and performances honoring the country’s indigenous people.

Asia is preparing for the Year of the Snake

Large parts of Japan were closed ahead of the country’s biggest holiday as temples and homes underwent a deep cleaning.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as a year of rebirth – a reference to the shedding of the reptile’s skin. Other places in Asia celebrate the Year of the Snake later with the Lunar New Year.

In South Korea, celebrations have been scaled back or canceled during a national period of mourning following the crash of a Jeju Air plane in Muan on Sunday that killed 179 people.

In Bangkok, Thailand, malls competed for crowds with live music performances and fireworks shows. 800 drones were used at a fireworks display in Jakarta, Indonesia.

China and Russia exchange goodwill

Chinese state media reported an exchange of New Year’s greetings between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a reminder of the growing closeness between the leaders facing tensions with the West.

Xi told Putin that their countries would “always move forward hand in hand,” the official Xinhua news agency said.

China has maintained relations and robust trade with Russia since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western sanctions and attempts to isolate Putin.

Celebrate by the sea and beyond

In India, thousands of revelers in the financial hub of Mumbai flocked to the city’s busy promenade overlooking the Arabian Sea. In Sri Lanka, people gathered at Buddhist temples to light oil lamps and incense sticks and pray.

In Dubai, thousands attended a fireworks display at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. And in Nairobi, Kenya, scattered fireworks could be heard around midnight.

A holy year begins

Rome’s traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations have an added attraction: the start of Pope Francis’ Holy Year, which occurs every quarter of a century and is expected to attract around 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025.

On Tuesday, Francis will celebrate vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a mass on Wednesday in which he will again appeal for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.

January 1st is a day of obligation for Catholics as it celebrates the Solemnity of Mary.

Paris is regaining the Olympic spirit

Paris crowned a momentous 2024 with its traditional countdown and fireworks spectacle on the Champs-Élysées. The city’s iconic Arc de Triomphe monument was transformed into a giant tableau for a light show that celebrated the city’s landmarks and the passage of time with whirring clocks.

The Summer Olympics and Paralympics, held in the French capital from July to September, had transformed the city into a place of joy, brotherhood and amazing sporting achievements.

Frank and Rowena Klar from San Francisco visited the French capital to celebrate their 31st anniversary together. “If you start big, we think we’re going to have a great year,” he said.

Wintry weather, for better or worse

London was due to ring in the New Year with a pyrotechnic show along the River Thames. However, celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland were canceled as a storm brought bitter weather to other parts of the UK.

But in Switzerland and some other places, people rejoiced in the cold, took off their clothes and plunged into the water in the freezing temperatures.

Rio expects 2 million revelers

Rio de Janeiro will host Brazil’s main New Year’s Eve party on Copacabana Beach, with ferries off the coast setting off fireworks for 12 minutes. Thousands of tourists on cruise ships will witness the spectacle up close.

More than two million people were expected at Copacabana, hoping to squeeze in concerts by Brazilian superstars such as pop singer Anitta and Grammy winner Caetano Veloso.

American traditions, old and new

In New York City, the organization that manages Times Square tested its famous ball drop and inspected 2025 numerals, lights and thousands of crystals as part of a tradition that dates back to 1907. This year’s celebrations include musical performances from TLC, Jonas Brothers and Rita Ora and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

On Tuesday evening, people who had stood in line for hours went through a gauntlet of security checks and then rested for the night of performances and cheering, with some even lying on the sidewalk.

“It’s the biggest party in the world. “There’s no other place to celebrate New Year’s than Times Square,” said Tommy Onolfo of Long Island, who began going there regularly eight years ago.

The Las Vegas pyrotechnic show will take place on the Strip and 340,000 people are expected as fireworks are launched from casino rooftops. Near the Sphere venue, countdowns to midnight will be displayed in different time zones for the first time.

In Pasadena, Rose Parade spectators camped out, hoping for prime seats. And around 200,000 people flocked to a country music party in Nashville, Tennessee.

American Samoa will be among the last to welcome 2025, a full 24 hours after New Zealand.

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Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.