From Sydney to Mumbai to Paris to Rio de Janeiro, communities around the world , embraces and ice plunges.

The New Year91裸聊视频檚 Eve ball dropped in soggy Times Square, where thousands of revelers stuck it out in heavy rain to celebrate the start of 2025 in New York City.

Countries in the South Pacific Ocean were the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball dropped in Times Square. Auckland was the first major city to celebrate, with thousands thronging downtown or climbing the city91裸聊视频檚 ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point.

Conflict muted acknowledgements of the start of 2025 in places like the , and .

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

Earliest fireworks

A few hours after Auckland, fireworks blasted off Australia91裸聊视频檚 Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the bay. More than a million people gathered at iconic Sydney Harbor for the celebration. British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong with the crowd.

The celebration also featured Indigenous ceremonies and performances that acknowledged the land91裸聊视频檚 first people.

American traditions, old and new

In New York City, crowds cheered and couples kissed when the ball weighing almost 6 tons (5.4 metric tons) and featuring 2,688 descended down a pole in Times Square. The celebration included musical performances by and .

The revelry culminated with a dance party and a carpeting of soggy confetti as attendees left singing along to Frank Sinatra91裸聊视频檚 version of 91裸聊视频淣ew York, New York.91裸聊视频�

Angie Cuadradu, from Virginia, said she hopes 2025 is going to be great. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e sending positive vibes everywhere,91裸聊视频� she said.

Las Vegas91裸聊视频� pyrotechnic show will be on the Strip, with 340,000 people anticipated as fireworks are launched from the rooftops of casinos. Nearby, will display for the first time countdowns to midnight in different time zones.

In Pasadena, California, and hoping for prime spots. And some 200,000 people flocked to a country music party in Nashville, Tennessee.

Asia prepares for Year of the Snake

Much of Japan shut down ahead of the nation91裸聊视频檚 biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth 91裸聊视频� alluding to the reptile91裸聊视频檚 shedding skin. Other places in Asia will mark the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.

In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or canceled during a period of national mourning following Sunday91裸聊视频檚 crash of a .

China and Russia exchange goodwill

Chinese state media covered an exchange of New Year91裸聊视频檚 greetings between leader and Russian President in a reminder of growing closeness between two leaders who face tensions with the West.

Xi told Putin their countries will 91裸聊视频渁lways move forward hand in hand,91裸聊视频� the official Xinhua News Agency said.

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

Seaside celebrations and beyond

In India, thousands of revelers in the financial hub of Mumbai flocked to the city91裸聊视频檚 bustling promenade facing 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 show at the Burj Khalifa, the world91裸聊视频檚 tallest skyscraper. And in Nairobi, Kenya, scattered fireworks were heard.

A Holy Year begins

Rome91裸聊视频檚 traditional New Year91裸聊视频檚 Eve festivities have an additional draw: the start of , the once-every-quarter-century celebration projected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025.

On Tuesday, Francis celebrated a vespers at St. Peter91裸聊视频檚 Basilica. During Mass on Wednesday he is expected to again appeal for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Jan. 1 is a day of obligation for Catholics, marking the Solemnity of Mary.

In Saint Paul, Minnesota, about 400 Catholics joined the archbishop for a rare 11 p.m. Mass followed by a champagne reception in the city91裸聊视频檚 monumental cathedral.

91裸聊视频淧eople have the tradition to stay up and toast the new year, so we said, 91裸聊视频極k, let91裸聊视频檚 build on that,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� said the Rev. Joseph Johnson.

Paris recaptures the Olympic spirit

Paris capped a momentous 2024 with its traditional countdown and fireworks extravaganza on the . The city91裸聊视频檚 emblematic Arc de Triomphe monument was turned into a giant tableau for a light show that celebrated the city91裸聊视频檚 landmarks and the passage of time, with whirring clocks.

91裸聊视频淧aris is a party,91裸聊视频� proclaimed Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

The hosted in the French capital from July to September had transformed the city into a site of joy, fraternity and astonishing sporting achievements.

Wintry weather, for good and bad

London rang in the New Year with a pyrotechnic display along the River Thames. With , however, festivities in Edinburgh, Scotland, were canceled.

But in Switzerland and some other places, people embraced the cold, stripping and plunging into the water in freezing temperatures.

Millions revel in Rio

Rio de Janeiro threw Brazil91裸聊视频檚 main New Year91裸聊视频檚 Eve bash on Copacabana beach, with barges shooting off 12 straight minutes of fireworks. Thousands of tourists on cruise ships and charter boats witnessed the show up close, while many more streamed onto the sand to find their spot.

The crowd on Copacabana was expected to exceed 2 million people 91裸聊视频� most decked out in white to keep with tradition. They packed together to enjoy concerts by Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso, Maria Beth芒nia and Ivete Sangalo, among others. Right after the fireworks concluded, Brazil91裸聊视频檚 biggest pop star, Anitta, took the stage.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 so magical. It91裸聊视频檚 an incredible thing,91裸聊视频� Alejandro Legarreta, a tourist from Puerto Rico, said after diving into the ocean.