2025 arrives: India, Australia, Japan, China among countries to welcome New Year

Year 2025 is here! India welcomed New Year with grand celebrations across the country, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with optimism and enthusiasm.

From the bustling streets of cities to the serene corners of the country, people came together to embrace the beginning of the new year with fervour, tradition, prayers and joy. In the national capital, the India Gate was lit up with dazzling lights, attracting thousands of revellers who gathered to celebrate the occasion. The streets of Connaught Place and central Delhi were lined with people, enjoying the cool winter breeze, countdown parties.

Mumbai saw a massive turnout at popular hotspots like Marine Drive, Gate Way of Inida and Bandra-Worli Sea Link, with people celebrating amidst music, dance, and fireworks. Many welcomed the New Year with prayers, flocking to temples, mosques, churches, and gurdwaras to seek blessings.

The celebrations extended to cultural programs and events across the nation, showcasing a diverse array of performances that captivated audiences. People of all age groups participated in the festivities, ushering in 2025 with joy, enthusiasm, and grandeur.

Other cities, including Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jaipur, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, were adorned with elaborate decorations, as the festive occasion inspired widespread celebrations. People filled the streets, capturing moments with their loved ones and sharing heartfelt wishes with everyone around them.

The New Year’s spirit was equally high in the smaller towns and rural areas as people celebrated with local traditions, cultural dances, and community gatherings.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable celebration as people welcomed the dawn of New Year 2025, elaborate security arrangements were implemented. Police and other security personnel maintained a vigilant presence at key intersections and crowded areas across cities. In Delhi, nearly 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to uphold law and order during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

DUBAI SAYS HELLO TO 2025
Hours after India, Dubai ushered in New Year 2025 with a dazzling show of glitter and fireworks, as the iconic Burj Khalifa became the centre of attraction like always. Fireworks exploded over the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during the New Year’s celebrations in Dubai.

Thousands of visitors gathered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tourist hub for the annual fireworks extravaganza at the tallest skyscraper.

NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN AMONG FIRST TO WELCOME 2025
Earlier, as the world bid farewell to 2024, New Zealand’s Auckland led the charge into 2025, becoming one of the first places across the world to ring in the New Year. Apart from Auckland, Singapore, Sydney in Australia, and Tokyo in Japan entered 2025.

In Sydney, hundreds of thousands of revellers thronged the harbour to witness the world-famous fireworks display. Among Asian countries, Japan, China, South Korea and North Korea have welcomed New Year 2025. In Japan, the striking of temple bells 108 times, a ritual known as Joya no Kane, marked the arrival of the new year. Meanwhile, markets and shopping malls across the nation were seen bustling with last-minute shoppers.

In Auckland, the iconic Sky Tower illuminated the night with a dazzling fireworks display, its vibrant colours reflecting off the city skyline. Thousands gathered at the waterfront, their cheers and songs echoing the joy of the occasion.

Celebrations were also seen in Qatar, Thailand, the Philippines and China’s Hong Kong and Beijing, where people gathered around in huge numbers to witness fireworks and New Year celebrations. In Christchurch and Queenstown, traditional Māori cultural performances added a unique touch to the modern festivities. The events attracted visitors from around the globe, eager to be among the first to welcome the New Year.

The event, set to feature a singalong led by British pop sensation Robbie Williams, included indigenous ceremonies honouring Australia’s First Nations people. Melbourne’s Yarra River also glittered with vibrant fireworks, as Victoria joined in the celebrations.

THE GLOBAL COUNTDOWN
Countries in the South Pacific welcomed 2025 first, with New Zealand at the forefront of the celebrations. The nation marked the arrival of the new year 18 hours ahead of the famous ball drop in New York’s Times Square. New Year celebrations in Israel are expected to be muted as the nation endures the 15th month of its conflict with Hamas, with numerous hostages still held captive.

In South Korea, festivities have been scaled down or cancelled as the nation enters a period of mourning following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air flight at the Muan International Airport on Sunday, which claimed the lives of 179 people.

Rome’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are set to gain extra significance as they coincide with the launch of Pope Francis’ Holy Year in 2025. This once-in-25-years event is expected to draw approximately 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City, adding a spiritual dimension to the festivities.

Paris will ring in 2024’s final moments with its iconic New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring a spectacular countdown and dazzling fireworks display along the renowned Champs-Elysees. London will welcome the New Year with a stunning fireworks display over the River Thames, followed by a vibrant parade through the city center on Wednesday, featuring 10,000 performers.