New Year's Eve celebrations take place around the world as 2023 ushered in

ITV News' Charlie Frost takes a look on how the world welcomed in the new year 

Countdowns and fireworks have marked the beginning of 2023 as millions celebrate the first new year without Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic began in 2020.

While Covid continues to cause death around the world, particularly in China, many countries have largely lifted quarantine requirements, restrictions for visitors and relentless testing that had limited travel.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first country to greet the new year, with the clock ticking into 2023 one hour ahead of neighbours, including New Zealand.

We take a look at the ways in which some countries around the world brought in the new year:

  • New Zealand

In Auckland, large crowds gathered below the Sky Tower, where a 10-second countdown to midnight preceded fireworks.

Fireworks explode over Sky Tower in central Auckland. Credit: Dean Purcel/NZ Herald via AP

The celebrations in New Zealand’s largest city were well-received after Covid-19 forced them to be cancelled a year ago.

  • Australia

In Australia, more than one million crowded along Sydney’s waterfront for a multi-million dollar celebration based around the themes of diversity and inclusion.

More than 7,000 fireworks were launched from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a further 2,000 from the nearby Opera House.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit: Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP

It was the “party Sydney deserves,” the city’s producer of major events and festivals Stephen Gilby told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We have had a couple of fairly difficult years; we’re absolutely delighted this year to be able to welcome people back to the foreshores of Sydney Harbor for Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations,” he said.

In Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, a family-friendly fireworks display along the Yarra River as dusk fell preceded a second session at midnight.

  • South Korea

People lit up their phones as they waited to celebrate the New Year in front of the Bosingak pavilion where its annual New Year's bell-ringing ceremony isbeing held in Seoul, South Korea.

People gather before the New Year's countdown event at downtown Seoul, South Korea. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

  • China

Despite a nationwide surge in Covid-19 infections, celebrations are being held in China at landmarks such as the Great Wall in Beijing and alongside the waterfront Bund area in Shanghai.

Revellers count down to the new year at the Shougang Park in Beijing. Credit: AP

  • Hong Kong

Hong Kong, which has scrapped all Covid restrictions for visiting tourists, welcomed the new year with a massive fireworks and lights display.

Buildings facing the iconic Victoria Harbour were lit up with colourful images while giant fireworks lit up the night sky above them.

The harbour separates Hong Kong Island in the south from the Kowloon Peninsula to the north.

Hong Kong celebrates the start of 2023

Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

  • Taiwan

Taiwan celebrated with a dazzling fireworks display over Taipei's 101 skyscraper , lighting up the sky after a minute-long countdown to 2023.

A total of 16,000 fireworks were shot up over the course of just five minutes.

Light shows in Taiwan lit up the sky

  • Thailand

Thailand's capital Bangkok rang in 2023 in style, with an impressive fireworks display over the river.

People in Bangkok celebrated as the new year was brought in

  • Ukraine

In Europe, many in Ukraine returned to the capital Kyiv to spend New Year’s Eve with their loved ones.

Ukrainian soldier, Vasyl, joyously met his daughter Yana and wife Galyna, who have been living in Slovakia due to the war, when they returned to Kyiv to spend New Year’s Eve together.

Vasyl hugs his daughter Yana as she arrives at the train station in Kyiv to spend New Year's Eve together. Credit: AP Photo/Roman Hrytsyna
A woman holds a sparkler as she dances in Sophia Square before curfew on New Year's Eve in Kyiv. Credit: AP Photo/Roman Hrytsyna

  • Russia

Moscow has ushered in the new year with crowds gathering in streets around the Russian capital's famous Red Square.

Authorities closed off the cobbled square in the heart of Moscow due to Covid curbs.

People walk in the Red Square prior to its closure for celebrations on New Year's Eve. Credit: AP

  • India

India has welcomed in 2023 as parts of South Asia began their celebrations around 18:30 (GMT).

A balloon vendor waits for customers in Hyderabad, India, on New Years Eve. Credit: AP

  • Pakistan

Celebrations are taking place in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi as the new year arrives in Pakistan.

The city of Karachi welcomed in the New Year with fireworks, with hope for the economy of the country to improve in 2023. A large crowd gathered at Port Grand to watch a display of fireworks, dance and celebrate.

Fireworks display outside Port Grand in Karachi

  • Dubai

Dubai has moved into the new year and is celebrating with a stunning display of colourful fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper.

Thousands of people whistled and cheered at the display taking place at the world's tallest building.

The UAE reportedly tried to break two Guinness World Records by featuring some 450 pyro drones and 15,000 nano lights, colours and shapes in their majestic display in Abu Dhabi.

Countdown displayed on Burj Khalifa’s Facade

Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, during the New Year's Eve celebration, in Dubai. Credit: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

  • Kenya

Kenya has welcomed in the new year with a spectacular firework display as seen in the capital Nairobi.

Fireworks explode over Mama Ngina Drive Mombasa Harbour during New Year celebrations in Mombasa, Kenya. Credit: AP

  • France

Paris has welcomed in the new year, with the French capital putting on its first new year fireworks since 2019, after the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to Covid-19.

Revellers watch a sound and light show projected on the Arc de Triomphe as they celebrate the New Year on the Champs Elysees, in Paris. Credit: AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard

  • UK

Big Ben bonged in England’s capital as a crowd of more than 100,000 people gathered along the Thames Embankment in central London to watch 12,000 fireworks streak across the sky.

North of the border, people in Edinburgh enjoyed what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the “first full Hogmanay celebrations in three years”.

In Cardiff, families partied in the city’s Winter Wonderland, while people in Belfast celebrated at Europa Hotel’s annual Gala Ball.

Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye and Big Ben in central London during the New Year celebrations. Credit: PA

  • Germany

Berlin's famous landmark Brandenburg Gate has been illuminated during the New Year's celebrations in the German capital. Madrid and Rome are among the other European capitals which have all also welcomed in 2023.

Berlin's famous landmark Brandenburg Gate is illuminated during the New Year's celebrations in Berlin. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Sohn

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