As the world bids farewell to the challenges of 2025, people across the globe have ushered in the new year with celebrations filled with hope and aspirations for peace. Midnight celebrations kicked off on the islands nearest to the International Date Line, including Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Tonga, and New Zealand, setting the stage for a global wave of festivities.
Hong Kong’s Quiet New Year
In a departure from tradition, Hong Kong welcomed 2026 without the usual fireworks display over Victoria Harbour. The absence of pyrotechnics followed a tragic fire in November that claimed at least 161 lives. Instead, the city’s tourism board organized a New Year’s Eve music show featuring the soft rock duo Air Supply and other performers in Central, a district known for its vibrant nightlife.
At midnight, the facades of eight iconic landmarks transformed into giant countdown clocks, presenting a three-minute light show. Historically, fireworks have been a staple of Hong Kong’s celebrations for the New Year, Lunar New Year, and National Day, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators, including tourists.
Traditions and Celebrations Across Asia
In Seoul, South Korea, thousands gathered at the Bosingak bell pavilion, where a bronze bell was rung 33 times at midnight. This tradition, rooted in Buddhist cosmology, symbolizes the 33 heavens and is believed to dispel misfortune while welcoming peace and prosperity for the coming year.
Meanwhile, at the Great Wall of China’s Juyong Pass, just outside Beijing, celebrations included a drum performance. Revelers donned headgear and waved boards emblazoned with “2026” and the symbol of a horse, in anticipation of the Year of the Horse on the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins in February.
Unique Traditions in Europe
In Croatia, the town of Fuzine continued its unique tradition of a noon countdown, a practice that began in 2000 and has since spread across the country. Crowds gathered to cheer, toast with champagne, and dance to music in the middle of the day. Some adventurous participants even braved the icy waters of Lake Bajer, donning Santa hats for a festive plunge.
Record-Breaking Celebrations in the Americas
Preparations were underway for traditional midnight celebrations in various parts of the Americas. In New York’s Times Square, organizers erected security barriers and stages in anticipation of the crowds that would gather for the annual ball drop, despite subzero temperatures.
On Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, preparations for the massive music and fireworks party known as Réveillon were in full swing. Organizers aimed to surpass their 2024 Guinness World Record for the largest New Year’s Eve celebration.
Hopes for Peace in Eastern Europe
In the snowy capitals of Kyiv and Moscow, both Ukrainians and Russians prepared to welcome the new year with hopes for peace after nearly four years of conflict. A woman in central Moscow, who identified herself only as Larisa, expressed her wish for the war to end, noting its importance for her country. She had traveled from Altai Krai to experience the Russian capital during the winter holidays with her family.
In Kyiv, many Ukrainians shared a similar sentiment, though peace seemed elusive. However, nine-year-old Olesia, visiting a Christmas tree set up in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral, remained optimistic. “I think there will be peace in the new year,” she said.
The global celebrations and traditions highlight a shared desire for a brighter future, as people worldwide look forward to 2026 with renewed hope and determination to overcome past challenges.
