Countries around the world usher in 2025 with New Year's Eve celebrations

Celebrations are underway across the world as people welcome in the New Year, as ITV News' Caroline Lewis reports


People across the world have started to ring in the new year with spectacular fireworks displays.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first country to welcome in 2025, shortly followed by New Zealand and Australia.

In the UK, the weather has put a dampener on celebrations with several New Year's Eve events cancelled as the weather warnings for heavy wind and rain were put in place.

ITV News takes a look at some of the best pictures and videos as the world celebrates the start of 2025.

UK

Despite several events being cancelled across the UK because of bad weather, fireworks lit up the sky over Big Ben and the London Eye.

Credit: PA

Spain

People gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square to celebrate the start of 2025.

People gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square to celebrate the start of 2025. Credit: AP

France

A light show was projected on the Arc de Triomphe during a New Year's celebration on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

A light show is projected on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Credit: AP

Germany

Fireworks dazzled over Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.


Greece

Drones formed the year 2025 next to the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis during celebrations in Athens.

Drones form the year 2025 next the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Year's celebrations in Athens, Greece. Credit: AP

Egypt

In Egypt, the start of 2025 was marked with a fireworks display over the historical site of Giza Pyramids.

Fireworks spark over the historical site of Giza Pyramids, marking the new year, just outside Cairo, Egypt. Credit: AP

Syria

For the first time in over 50 years, Syrians welcomed the New Year without the Assad family rule.

People waved the new Syrian flag in Umayyad Sqaure, Damascus, during the New Year's Eve celebrations.

People celebrate on New Year's Eve at Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syria. Credit: AP

Dubai

Fireworks exploded and lights beamed off the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in Dubai.

Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, during the New Year's Eve celebration, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Credit: AP

Thailand

Crowds in Thailand were wowed by a huge firework and drone display as the country welcomed in 2025.

Celebrities and dignitaries gathered on stage in Bangkok ahead of the countdown.

Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand. Credit: AP

China

China has seen in the New Year with a cultural and art performance in Beijing.

In front of a large stage, a crowd counted down to midnight followed by people waving glow sticks in celebration.

Thousands gathered in Beijing to celebrate the start of the New Year. Credit: AP

Japan

In Japan, crowds have gathered at Tokyo's Tokudai-ji temple to join in the traditional bell ringing to welcome the new year.

Meanwhile, much of the country has come to a standstill in preparation for the Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac.


South Korea

South Korea's New Year celebrations were scaled back or cancelled as the nation observes a period of mourning following the deadly crash of a Jeju Air flight in Muan on Sunday, which claimed 179 lives.

Its annual bell-ringing ceremony was also subdued, with no performances and a moment of silence in remembrance of the recent tragedy.

South Korea's New Year's celebration was scaled back. Credit: AP

Australia

Australians watched a stunning extended fireworks show over its famous Sydney harbour as the country marked the arrival of 2025.

British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong, while Indigenous ceremonies and performances honoured the country's first people.


New Zealand

Thousands of New Zealanders watched fireworks launched from the country's tallest structure, the Sky Tower, and a spectacular light show in Auckland's city centre.

Many also climbed the city's volcanic peaks for a better view of the fireworks and a light display honouring Auckland's Indigenous tribes.


Brazil

Rio de Janeiro rang in the New Year on Copacabana Beach, with a firework display shooting off from barges.

Thousands of tourists on cruise ships and yachts caught an up-close glimpse, while the crowd on the beach was expected to exceed two million.

A woman stands as fireworks light up the sky over Copacabana Beach. Credit: AP

United States

Crowds New York welcomed in 2025 with cheers, as a giant ball containing thousands of crystal triangles descended down a pole in Times Square. Revellers were treated to performances by Sophie Ellis Bextor, TLC and the Jonas Brothers.

In Las Vegas, an estimated 340,000 gathered to watch fireworks launched from the tops of casinos.

Crowds celebrate with confetti in New York. Credit: AP

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.


Have you heard The Trapped? Listen as Daniel Hewitt exposes the UK's dirty secret