Name: Cities around the world welcome 2026 with fireworks and pomp
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T06:42:39.470Z
Duration: 3 min 53 s
Description: It was a party in the USA for one Australian singer who took to the stage in times Square minutes before New York welcomed 2026. From icy plunges to pyrotechnics, countries around the world celebrated New Years Eve.

It was a party in the USA for one Australian singer who took to the stage in times Square minutes before New York welcomed 2026. From icy plunges to pyrotechnics, countries around the world celebrated New Years Eve.

New York

Cities around the world celebrated the arrival of 2026 with a variety of festivities, including fireworks in London, a drone phoenix in Asia, and silent fireworks in Athens. Paris, Berlin, and Dubai held large public events, while Hong Kong opted for a light show in the wake of a recent tragedy. 

World leaders shared their hopes for the new year, with Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasizing the desire for peace and Pope Leo offering prayers of gratitude. Traditional and modern celebrations were seen from South Korea to Beijing, reflecting both local customs and high-tech innovation.

Cities around the world welcome 2026 with fireworks and pomp

A Big Apple welcome to the year with the help of a big name Aussie. And from the Big Apple to the Big Ben, as the clock struck midnight in the UK. All eyes turned to London's Eye. For a pyrotechnic display of epic proportions along the River Thames, matched by an impressive suite of visuals. Celebrations were just as bright across the Channel. The city of light and love living up to its name. Say thank you Paris for this amazing night, so much love. This Croatian town celebrated in sunlight, opting for a midday countdown. A tradition it's held since 2000 and for a brave few it was followed by an icy plunge. The water just one degree. There were plenty of chairs in Berlin too. And of course the Aussies managed to find where the party was. Celebrations in Athens were a little quieter. The city's mayor thinking of the pets enforcing silent fireworks over the Acropolis. And as other ancient landmarks lit up, some of the globe's newest ones did too. The world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, home to just one of the UAE's many incredible, albeit dramatic, displays. The highway in Kenya's capital was jammed as revellers tried to catch a glimpse. Locals bumper to bumper, happy to see out a rough year from the road. 2025 has been on steroids and in 2026 I'm looking forward to catching a break. World leaders too keen to catch a break, with US President Donald Trump revealing his New Year's resolution. A hope shared by many, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but not at any cost. We want the end of the war, he says, not the end of Ukraine. The country's capital marked midnight by dimming the lights after yet another dark year. Pope Leo though reflecting on 2025's blessings. Giving thanks to the church's workers in his first New Year's Eve prayers as pontiff. There were more New Year's Eve firsts such as this, the largest ever aerial display of a mythical creature with over 2000 drones used to create the phoenix. And in Hong Kong it was the first time in many years there was not a single firework in sight. The city marking the start of 26 with just a light show in the wake of November's deadly apartment block blaze. Tradition was on display in South Korea. Beijing took a more modern take. It's countdown extravaganza featuring friends from space and dancing robots. A high-tech way to welcome a new year. Leighton Haeckel, 10 News.

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Breakdown