Australia and New Zealand welcomes New Year with spectacular fireworks display

Monday, January 1, 2024

As the world bids farewell to 2023 and welcomes the promise of 2024, celebrations have ignited across the Pacific, with Australia and New Zealand leading the charge in ringing in the New Year. New Zealand’s vibrant festivities began with a spectacular fireworks display from the iconic Auckland Sky Tower, accompanied by a dazzling light show over the Harbour Bridge.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati, comprising 33 atolls, proudly claimed the title of being the first country to herald in 2024, with its largest island, Christmas Island, entering the new year at 10:00 (GMT). The vast expanse of Kiribati, stretching over 4,000km from east to west and 2,000km from north to south, marked the start of global New Year celebrations.

Following Kiribati, Auckland, New Zealand, welcomed the arrival of 2024 at 11:00 (GMT) in grand style. The Auckland Sky Tower illuminated with a vibrant array of colors as fireworks lit up the sky, complemented by a captivating light display over the city’s Harbour Bridge.

Across the Tasman Sea, Australia joined the revelry, with Sydney’s iconic Harbor Bridge poised to become the focal point of an awe-inspiring midnight fireworks display and light show. This globally renowned spectacle is anticipated to be witnessed by around 425 million viewers worldwide.

As the Pacific region celebrated, the anticipation spread across the globe. The United States is set to embrace the new year at 5 am (10:30 am IST) in the famed Times Square, where authorities and event organizers have taken measures to ensure the safety of the celebratory crowds.

In France, where the new year will arrive at 11:00 pm GMT, security has been heightened, with a significant deployment of law enforcement officers, as shared by domestic intelligence chief Céline Berthon. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom braces for New Year’s Eve under unsettled weather conditions, with low-pressure systems bringing showery weather for celebrations. Showers are expected across the region, with the likelihood of drier conditions in eastern parts of England and Scotland, while windy conditions persist in Wales and southern England.

As the clock continues its countdown, millions around the world are eagerly participating in New Year’s festivities, each region offering its unique charm and celebrations to mark the beginning of a new chapter in 2024.

« Back to Page