Celebrations From Around The World as 2026 Begins
BBC News
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Japan and South Korea welcome 2026 with traditional bell-ringing ceremonies in their capital cities
It follows a spectacular fireworks display in Sydney, Australia – although our correspondent says it was tempered with sadness following the Bondi Beach attack earlier this month
Kiribati was first to enter the new year – one couple celebrated on a beach with "no signs of human life, complete darkness and countless crabs"
We've also spoken to people celebrating in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Guam, and New Zealand's remote Chatham Island with 600 people on it – here's what we've heard
Meanwhile, a UK pharmacist has already seen in the new year in Samoa – and is later "time-travelling" to American Samoa to do it again
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Edited by Matt Spivey and Ben Hatton
Kris Bramwell
BBC News
In the next few minutes Singapore will be welcoming in 2026, we've been hearing how one family have been preparing for the countdown.
Eleven-year-old Jayden is watching TV in Singapore with his mummy Jean and daddy Chua. Jayden is "excited for the new year and the performances during the countdown" with midnight approaching.
Earlier today, Jayden and his mum Jean went shopping for their dinner using vouchers provided by the government.
Jean says: "These vouchers are designed to help Singaporean households manage rising costs.
"The streets were buzzing with people enjoying this gift from the government before the vouchers expire at the turn of the year," she explains.
Jayden says the family purchased some toiletries, tonight's dinner and "some durian fruits that the whole family enjoys".
The young rugby player says the family ate "mixed rice with local delights" and "tutu kueh" a desert made of flour and dried coconut.
As for 2026, Jayden is hoping for "a peaceful year ahead for the world!"
Osechi Ryori dishes are often sweet, sour, or dried, so they can be kept without refrigeration
New Year, or Shogatsu, is viewed as the most important holiday in Japan, with festivities that are deeply rooted in culture lasting from 31 December to 3 January.
In this period families gather together, businesses cease trading and homes are decorated with bamboo and pine ornaments.
Among the traditional activities. food plays an important part of celebrations, with buckwheat noodles symbolising longevity served on New Year's Eve, and a special family meal called Osechi Ryori, which often consists of colourful dishes, eaten on 1 January.
Shrines and temples are traditionally visited during the new year period, when bells are rung at midnight on New Year's Eve – see our previous post for this year's bell-ringing.
Another custom is the gifting of money to children by adults as a way of showing appreciation and giving them hope for the coming year. New Year's Day postcards are also sent between friends and relatives to offer greetings distant loved ones.
As we reported a short while ago, it's already 2026 in South Korea and Japan.
Here are some pictures of how the two countries welcomed in the new year, including the ringing of bells at large temples.
In our next post, we'll take a closer look at how Japan marks the new year.
In South Korea, people could be seen ringing a large bell as part of yearly rituals
Meanwhile, in Japan the public broadcaster NHK is showcasing the country's festivities
Crowds gathered in Tokyo, despite some countdown events being cancelled across the city
Over the last few hours, we've been hearing from people around the world as they ring in 2026.
Here are some of our highlights so far:
We're keen to hear how you're celebrating! To get in touch, WhatsApp us on +44 7756 165803 , externalor email yourvoice@bbc.co.uk, external
Owen Amos
Live reporter
Marcondes and Megan – the road behind them is the state border
The Australian east coast is now in 2026 – but it didn't all happen at once.
New South Wales entered the new year one hour before Queensland, meaning that, in towns that border both states, people could jump in and out of 2026.
In Coolangatta, Queensland, Marcondes Almeida is chef and owner of the Cooly Breeze restaurant and rooftop bar, and the Black Dingo cafe, both of which sit on the time zone border.
"At 11pm, you could see into the new year," he says.
Megan Barber, a bartender at the Cooly Breeze, lives "two streets into New South Wales". While it was still 2025 at work, she went home to get changed – and in doing so, entered 2026. She then walked back into 2025.
"People pay to try to time-travel," says Marcondes. "Here, you can do it for free."
2026 has arrived in Western Australia! Happy New Year to the people of Eucla, a village known as the region's easternmost locality.
The state's capital city, Perth, is still 45 minutes away from welcoming in the new year.
Next up, the 2026 club welcomes in Japan, South Korea and North Korea as we hit 15:00 GMT in the UK.
You can follow along with the celebrations in Tokyo by clicking watch live at the top of the page.
Though, a countdown event in Tokyo at the city's major train station in Shibuya Ward has been cancelled due to safety concerns for the sixth consecutive year.
Meanwhile in Seoul – and across east and south-east Asia – people will also be celebrating the Lunar New Year in February 2026.
Jacob Phillips
Live reporter
Tokelau was one of the first nations to enter 2026
The remote nation of Tokelau entered 2026 a few hours ago but the celebrations are only just beginning.
Tokelau is made up of three small Pacific islands and has a population of around 1,500 people. It is so remote that it takes around 24 hours to travel to Samoa, the nearest mainland, by boat – and you can only take the trip once a fortnight.
To celebrate 2026 islanders will enjoy a feast with their families on 1 January, government official Aukusitino Vitale tells me.
Suckling pigs that live on the island will be roasted on a spit while carrots, cabbages, apples and oranges will be imported for the occasion.
On 2 January, the islands traditionally play a game of Kilikiti.
“It’s like cricket except you have one hundred people playing,” Aukusitino explains. “Sometimes it goes on for two weeks with the children’s, women’s and men’s games.”
Many of the islanders go to church at new year and pray for good weather as it is cyclone season, he adds.
While it is very remote the island manages to stay well connected using the internet and a number of residents now use Starlink – the high speed internet network run by Elon Musk’s Space X.
Tokelau is one of the world's most remote locations
Happy New Year to Australia's Northern Territory, including Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
They've welcomed in 2026 an hour-and-a-half after Sydney – take a look back at their spectacular fireworks.
A festive shot of some of the live page team working today, including our soon-to-be litter picker Owen Amos (right)
With the turning of the year comes the inevitable question: what's your new year's resolution?
Over the last few days, we've been asking our journalists and editors in BBC's New Broadcasting House to submit their own. Here's a selection:
Owen Amos: "I will try to pick up 365 pieces of litter in 2026."
Nabiha Ahmed: "Finish a book a month, ensuring a variety of genres. No DNFs allowed."
Malu Cursino: "Go for a walk – big or small – everyday. Rain or shine, I want to step outside and soak in the day."
Cachella Smith: "Note down one good thing that happens every day – there will always be something that prompted a smile."
Jack Grey: "Start cycling again for fun – eventually complete a 100km cycle."
Deirdre Finnerty: "Run the Dublin marathon with my sister and brother. Nothing like a bit of sibling rivalry to boost motivation."
At 14:00 in the UK, it's time for other parts of Australia to join Sydney in 2026.
This includes Queensland – the state that where you can find Brisbane and the Great Barrier Reef.
Over 4,500 kilometres (around 2,800 miles) north, the pacific island of Guam is also stepping into the new year – find out how they're celebrating in our previous post.Jacob Phillips
Live reporter
The Pacific island of Guam will be bringing in 2026 at midnight (14:00 GMT) with red rice and "a whole load of BBQ", one official tells me.
“It’s like our national sport” says Melvin Won Pat-Borja, a slam poet who now runs the Department of Chamorro Affairs on the US territory.
He is celebrating New Years Eve at the Chamorro Village, a night market which serves traditional food and will be hosting one of the island's two firework displays.
Meanwhile, Mark Baldyga will be bringing in 2026 with his son Michael at his restaurant in the island’s hotel district.
The 60-year-old named the restaurant Anemos after the Greek word for wind – due to the number of super typhoons the island gets blasted by.
He first moved to Guam 30 years ago when he travelled there to be a piano player in one of its hotels. He had only planned to stay for a summer.
“It has the best sunsets I have seen in my life,” he says. “You’d think it’s photoshopped.”
Mark Baldyga and his son Michael on the island of Guam
Katy Watson
Australia correspondent
Sydney Harbour’s spectacular fireworks display did Australia proud this year. More than a million people rang in 2026 by the water – and coveted viewing spots filled up early.
But after the antisemitic attack at Bondi in which 15 people were killed, there’s been understandable reflection from both revellers and police about hosting such a huge event.
On the streets of Sydney was what Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, called a "different type of policing operation", including heavily armed officers. They were there to keep people safe, he said, while also urging partygoers to show defiance by enjoying the evening.
There was time for contemplation too – at 23:00 local time, Sydney Harbour fell silent for a minute, with crowds holding lights to remember the victims of Bondi. And a Jewish menorah was projected on to the pylons of the Harbour Bridge.
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in his New Year’s Eve address, acknowledged the difficulty of celebrating. The joy usually felt at the start of the new year was tempered by the sadness of the old, he said, adding that the response to the events of 14 December also showed the best of Australian spirit in all of its courage and compassion.Kris Bramwell
BBC News
Around half an hour ago – at 01:52 in Samoa (12:52 GMT) – Monir Ahmed was about to go to sleep after celebrating the new year.
But the pharmacist, from Coventry in the UK, says he needs to be at the airport in a few hours, as he gets ready to celebrate the new year for a second time.
"I have a time machine and will be doing it all over again tomorrow in American Samoa!" he says.
Monir, 37, tells me he wants to visit every country in the world, and for him Samoa is country 139.
"Tomorrow morning, I’m flying just 30 minutes to American Samoa, effectively crossing the International Date Line and celebrating New Year’s Eve all over again – a real 'time-travel' moment.
"I’ve spent New Year’s Eve in some pretty incredible places over the years – including Hong Kong, New York and Dubai with the Burj Khalifa – but Samoa feels especially unique.
"Not only is it among the first countries to see in the new year, but I also get to celebrate it twice.
"Samoa is a deeply Christian country, and many people gather in churches at midnight to welcome the new year, which creates a very special and memorable atmosphere."
It's just turned 13:00 GMT here in London, so to those across much of Australia: Happy New Year!
The clocks have chimed midnight in Sydney – tap watch live above to watch the city's iconic annual fireworks display.
And happy new year too to those in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Bougainville – an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea – as well as parts of Russia, which are all seeing in 2026.
It's now almost time for one of the iconic New Year's Eve moments – the fireworks over Sydney Harbour.
Thousands have gathered to see the show in person, and some have even camped out overnight to get the perfect spot – large crowds have been there for hours in anticipation.
You will be able to watch live above when the fireworks kick off at midnight in Sydney (13:00 GMT).
Street parties and celebrations are under way in Indonesia as the country – which spans three time zones – gets ready to welcome in 2026.
In Denpasar, Bali (GMT +8), many dancers are taking part in a parade. The dancers are wearing beautiful and brightly coloured outfits, as they perform dances in unison.
However there will be a lack of the traditional firework displays this year.
Indonesian authorities say they'll support plans of several regions to refrain from big displays, as the nation continues to mourn those recently impacted by deadly floods on the island of Sumatra – triggered by a rare cyclone in November.
Harry Sekulich
Reporting from Sydney
Joe and Lucy, who are from near Newcastle in the UK, timed their trip around Australia so they could see in the New Year with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks – clocks strike midnight here at 13:00 GMT.
They were in Melbourne when the deadly Bondi shooting occurred and were unsure whether to continue on to Sydney. Relatives at home asked on multiple occasions “are you sure you still want to go?”
“We had our worries about coming for New Year’s Eve” Joe says, “but we were reading more recently in the news saying that how more police were going to be here, it would be a bit safer”.
Kris Liu also feels reassured by the increased number of police in the area. She says the Bondi attack was very “sad” but it did not deter her travel plans.
Thousands have queued up throughout the day to get the best spots of the harbour – some have camped overnight next to the Sydney Opera House.
Natalia Williams, visiting from New Zealand, tells the BBC she arrived at 07:00 (20:00 GMT) to get the best view of the Harbour Bridge for the midnight show.
“It’s worth the wait,” she says. Around 50 vantage points have been set up, dotted along the harbour for views of the 21:00 and midnight fireworks displays. Half a dozen were full by 15:00 local time.
Hafsa Khalil
Live reporter
Among those marking the new year in around 40 minutes' time is the east coast of Australia – including one of the country's largest cities, Sydney.
Thousands of heavily armed police officers are patrolling the streets there as people mark the new year – a rare and stark sight in the city, following the Bondi Beach mass shooting earlier this month.
Some officers can be seen carrying high-grade weapons as part of heightened security measures following the attack, which targeted Australia's Jewish community and killed 15 people. It was the country's deadliest shooting since 1996.
New South Wales (NSW) Police say more than 2,500 police personnel will be on duty tonight, with many of them armed.
Ahead of the celebrations, NSW Premier Chris Minns said police would be "out in massive numbers, in some cases carrying firearms and weapons that you haven't seen before".
New Year's Eve parties in the city also paused at 23:00 local time (12:00 GMT) for a minute's silence to commemorate the victims of the attack.
At 23:00 local time people at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney shone their phone torches in a tribute to victims of the Bondi attack
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