As 2025 comes to a close, countries around the world are preparing to celebrate the New Year with fireworks, ceremonies, and cultural traditions. Due to time zone differences, the year 2026 begins at different times in various parts of the world.
The first country to welcome the New Year was the Pacific island nation of Kiribati. Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, celebrated midnight on January 1 while it was 3:00 pm in Pakistan. Kiribati is widely recognized as the world’s first host of the New Year.
Following Kiribati, New Zealand welcomed the New Year at 4:00 pm Pakistani time. In Auckland, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the sky as citizens gathered to mark the occasion. Australia joined in shortly afterward, hosting large-scale celebrations and vibrant firework shows in major cities.
In Asian countries like Japan and South Korea, the New Year is observed with traditional rituals and ceremonies, reflecting the cultural significance of the event. European and Middle Eastern nations celebrate later due to time zone differences, while the United States is among the last to usher in 2026.
In New York City, preparations for New Year festivities are complete. The iconic crystal ball in Times Square has been installed and tested, ready for millions of spectators who will either attend in person or watch the event live on television and online platforms.
Experts explain that the staggered timing of the New Year around the world is due to the global time zone system, which divides the Earth into different regions. This system ensures that while some countries have already welcomed 2026, others are still observing the final hours of 2025.
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As celebrations continue worldwide, the New Year serves as a moment for reflection, hope, and joy, with each nation marking the start of 2026 in its own unique way.
