2013 New Year celebrations in pictures

  • World
Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit: Reuters

Fireworks, concerts and celebrations unfolded around the globe to ring in the new year, with hundreds of thousands revellers turning up to catch a glimpse of the spectacular displays.

The festivities continued throughout the globe, with fireworks in Hong Kong and Sydney to the first public countdown in years in Burma.

Here are some of the best pictures from the celebrations:

Celebrations get under way as the Spark drumming band pass through Newcastle city centre. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Tens of thousands of people partied on the streets of Edinburgh for the world-famous Hogmanay.

Scottish rock band Simple Minds headlined the Concert in the Gardens, with performances also from The View and Bwani Junction.

Revellers in Edinburgh for Hogmanay celebrations. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Nato troops enjoy the celebrations in Kabul. Credit: Reuters/Mohammad Ismail

People filled the streets of Rangoon to enjoy Burma's first public New Year's countdown celebration.

Organisers said about 90,000 people gathered in a large field in Rangoon for their first ever public countdown.

People celebrate at Burma's first public New Year countdown celebration. Credit: Reuters

Members of the public lined the streets of Dublin for the start of The Gathering Ireland 2013, a year-long celebration of all things Irish.

Performers dance through the streets of Dublin. Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Berlin celebrated the end of 2012 with a stunning display of fireworks across the Brandenburg gate.

Fireworks explode over the Brandenburger Tor gate in Berlin. Credit: Reuters/ Tobias Schwarz

London celebrated the start of 2013 with a spectacular display of fireworks over the Thames.

Fireworks light up Big Ben at midnight to welcome in 2013 in Westminster, central London. Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire
The London Eye lights up with fireworks. Credit: Paul Hackett / Reuters

South Korean pop singer Psy performed during a sound check ahead of New Year celebrations at Time Square in New York.

Psy sings Gangnam Style during a sound check for a New Year celebration concert in New York. Credit: Reuters / Keith Bedford

More than two million people gathered along Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach to witness a twenty minute display of spectacular fireworks.

Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit: Reuters/ Pilar Olivares

Hundreds of thousands of New Year revellers packed into Time Square in New York to enjoy a dazzling display of fireworks.

Confetti was dropped after the famous ball was dropped in the centre of the square.

Revellers are sprayed with confetti in Times Square, New York. Credit: Reuters