The world said sayonara to 2025 and bonjour to 2026 with fireworks, a ball drop and a polar plunge. See how the world rang in the new year.
Hello 2026: See how the world rang in the new year
1/13
A light show is projected on the Arc de Triomphe as fireworks explode during New Year celebrations on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, France, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
2/13
Fireworks light the sky above an illuminated Christmas tree at the Cathedral Square, in Vilnius, Lithuania, shortly after midnight during the New Year’s celebrations, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
3/13
Drummers ring in the new year at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
4/13
A woman celebrates as fireworks light up the sky over Copacabana Beach during New Year’s celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
5/13
Swimmers get into the icy water during the traditional New Year’s Dive in a lake near Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
6/13
Pope Leo XIV celebrates a mass on New Year’s Day, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
7/13
Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
8/13
Fireworks go off at midnight on New Year’s Day in Jackson Square, named after President Andrew Jackson depicted on the horse statue in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
9/13
Fireworks light-up the sky in central London to celebrate the New Year on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
10/13
People gather to celebrate the New Year at the Zojoji Buddhist temple on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in Tokyo.
(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
11/13
Fireworks explode around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
12/13
The Washington Monument is illuminated as a candle as part of the 250th anniversary celebration for the United States, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
13/13
Sora Honda lays on the confetti-covered sidewalk as she celebrates the start of 2026 during New Year’s Eve festivities, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York.
(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
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