Auckland will be the first major city to welcome 2025, with thousands of revelers enjoying the countdown to the new year, colorful fireworks from New Zealand’s tallest structure, the Sky Tower, and spectacular lights across downtown. I cheered at the show.
The South Pacific nation will be the first to ring in the new year, marking New Zealand midnight 18 hours before the ball drops in New York’s Times Square.
In Australia, fireworks were set off across the bay from the Sydney Harbor Bridge to celebrate the new year. More than a million people flocked to Sydney Harbor for the celebration, which featured British pop star Robbie Williams, who led a singalong with the crowd.
The upcoming Asian Zodiac Year of the Snake is heralded as a year of rebirth, hinting at reptilian shedding. Small smiling snake figurines and other snake-themed products are on sale at stores in Japan, which celebrates the Chinese zodiac from January 1st. Other parts of Asia will begin celebrating the Year of the Snake later in the Chinese New Year.
Jakarta’s New Year celebrations will include a dazzling fireworks display, including an air show featuring 800 drones, followed by a countdown to midnight at Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
