Revellers cheer in New Year around world despite bad weather forcing cancellations in UK
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From Sydney to Mumbai to Nairobi, communities around the world began welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges. Revellers have cheered in the New Year around the world – including millions across the UK, despite bad weather forcing the cancellation of many celebrations.
![[Fireworks explode over Australia’s Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during New Year’s Eve celebrations on Tuesday]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/18/AP24366502253879.jpg)
From Sydney to Mumbai to Nairobi, communities around the world began welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges. Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.
![[People attend New Year’s Eve celebrations in Mumbai, India]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/19/SEI234637710.jpg)
Auckland became the first major city to celebrate, as thousands thronged downtown or climbed the city's ring of volcanic peaks for a vantage point for the fireworks as well as a light display recognising Indigenous people. Meanwhile, conflict muted acknowledgements of the new year in places like the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine.
![[Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/21/SEI234642933.jpg)
A storm bringing bitter weather put a dampener on festivities in the UK, with a number of celebrations scrapped. Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay events, which include a street party and fireworks, were cancelled due to safety concerns. Meanwhile, fireworks displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight were all axed.
![[Local residents look at fireworks as they celebrate the New Year at Ancol Beach in Jakarta]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/18/SEI234636388.jpg)
However, London’s mayor Sir Sadiq Khan confirmed the capital’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display was going to go ahead as planned amid fears the weather would impact the event. Just a couple of hours before midnight, the Met Office issued a fresh amber warning for heavy rain that was set to lash parts of the country to begin 2025.
![[Fireworks illuminate the sky over Hoan Kiem Lake during the New Year's Eve celebrations]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/18/SEI234636221.jpg)
