New Year celebrations looked different around the world. From Sydney to Mumbai to Paris to Rio de Janeiro, communities around the world welcomed 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.
The New Year’s Eve ball dropped in rainy Times Square as thousands of revelers braved the downpour to ring in 2025 in New York City. Crowds cheered and couples kissed when the ball weighing almost 6 tons and featuring 2,688 crystal triangles descended down a pole in Times Square. The celebration included musical performances by TLC and Jonas Brothers.
New Zealand was the first to welcome the new year, with Auckland celebrating 18 hours ahead of Times Square. Crowds packed downtown or hiked volcanic peaks to watch the fireworks.
Rome’s New Year’s Eve celebrations had an extra highlight this year, the launch of Pope Francis’ Holy Year, a once-in-a-quarter-century event expected to draw around 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025.
However, in places like the Middle East, Sudan, and Ukraine, ongoing conflicts dampened New Year’s celebrations.
American Samoa will be among the last to greet 2025, 24 hours after New Zealand.
