As 2024 winds up, the world says goodbye to the old year, embracing fireworks, countdowns, family get-togethers, and bright parties welcoming in 2025. Yet time zones will have others celebrating a New Year‘s beginning in this region versus others already doing so when people toast into January 1, with others still counting the last hours of December 31. See how the world is embracing this New Year beginning, first to last.
The tiny island nation of Kiribati, in the Pacific Ocean, is going to be the first to celebrate the New Year. As it is placed a full 24 hours ahead of New York and six and a half hours ahead of India, Kiribati will greet2025 at midnight local time, while it will still be 3:30 PM on December 31 in India.
An hour later, Tonga and Samoa join in the celebrations. Like Kiribati, these islands are in the South Pacific and have an early start on New Year‘s celebrations.
Soon after, New Zealand and parts of Australia such as Sydney will welcome their New Year with their own characteristic fireworks. These events broadcast around the world as one heralds the start of the global countdown.
Asia’s turn comes next, with Japan, South Korea, and China welcoming 2025 an hour after Australia. Then come the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, which usher in the New Year with cultural festivals and community celebrations.
As the night falls, countries in the Middle East welcome the New Year, beginning with the UAE and Turkey. Then it is the turn of the European nations such as Germany, France, and the UK, whose boisterous countdowns and jubilant atmosphere illuminate the night.
Other countries, such as Brazil and those across the Americas with different time zones, celebrate their hours. Even within America, NewYork celebrates on Times Square to Hawaii with the last festivities.
The global race ends with Baker Island and Howland Island, two uninhabited territories in the Pacific Ocean. These islands are 26 hours behind Kiribati, making them the last to greet 2025. At their midnight, it will already be 5:30 PM on January 1 in India.
Regardless of the time difference, people across the globe welcome the new year together. No matter how early or late it is, these celebrations are a reminder of what unites us all–the shared excitement, hope, and anticipation for what comes next. Happy and prosperous 2025 to everyone!
