Name: World rings in 2026 with fireworks and fanfare
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T14:47:07.926Z
Duration: 2 min 5 s
Description: The world has said goodbye to 2025. Some cities opted for light shows or drones to welcome 2026, but from the Pacific to the Middle East to the Americas, there were plenty of lavish firework displays to welcome 2026.

The world has said goodbye to 2025. Some cities opted for light shows or drones to welcome 2026, but from the Pacific to the Middle East to the Americas, there were plenty of lavish firework displays to welcome 2026.

Cities around the world marked the beginning of 2026 with vibrant celebrations and fireworks displays at notable landmarks. Sydney lit up the Harbour Bridge, Berlin transformed the Brandenburg Gate into a dance floor, and Paris drew crowds from across the globe for a communal countdown.

Other major festivities included drone and fireworks shows in Bangkok, synchronized displays in Qatar, and an illuminated Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Rio de Janeiro hosted a record-setting beachfront event, while New York celebrated with confetti as the United States prepared to mark its 250th anniversary.

World rings in 2026 with fireworks and fanfare

From city skylines to iconic landmarks, the new year arrived with shimmering visuals and emotional celebrations. Ushering in 2026, Sydney marked midnight with its famous bursts of colours over the Harbour Bridge. And in Germany, a party carried on into the night at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. The landmark transformed to a dance floor, complete with a midnight show. Hundreds of thousands gathered in the French capital. From all over the world, to count down together. Bangkok welcomed the year with a striking combination of fireworks and light shows using drones. Echoed in Qatar, where synchronized celebrations filled the sky above Lusail. And across the UAE, where Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, took centre stage, lighting up for New Year's Eve. Rio de Janeiro hosted a massive beachfront celebration. The city holds the Guinness World Record for the largest New Year's event set last year. I think this year can be an amazing year for everyone and I'm very happy. And finally, a shower of red, white and blue confetti in New York. A shower of red, white and blue confetti in New York. As 2026 also marks the year the US will celebrate its 250th birthday.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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Chicago

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Council of the City of Sydney

Fireworks light up the globe as nations ring in 2026

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Caracas

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Al Mukalla

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Taipei City

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Florida

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Hammonton

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Palm Beach

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Makun

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Breakdown