The new year was welcomed in spectacular fashion in many countries, as cities around the world lit up the night sky with fireworks and celebrations. From Tokyo to Florida, from the great capitals of Europe to the Americas and Asia, special events marked the arrival of 2026 in a familiar rhythm of countdowns, color, and noise. In New York City, Paris, London, Beijing, Rio, Washington, and beyond, thousands of fireworks burst overhead, briefly turning night into day.
New York City
Confetti drops on people at midnight in Times Square, during New Year’s celebrations in New York City, U.S., January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan
Confetti drops on attendees at Times Square, during New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Bing Guan
Washington
Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument, illuminated as part of the U.S.’s 250th anniversary celebrations, in Washington, D.C., U.S. January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
Florida
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to attend a New Year’s Eve party with members and guests at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks as the screen behind him mistakenly says “Happy Birthday”, during a New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
London
Fireworks explode over the London Eye Ferris wheel to mark the New Year’s celebrations, in London, Britain, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska TPX
Fireworks explode over the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, and the London Eye Ferris wheel, to mark the New Year’s celebrations, in London, Britain, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Berlin
Fireworks explode over the Bradenburg Gate during the New Year celebrations in Berlin, Germany, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Paris
Fireworks explode as the word “Paris” is projected onto the Arc de Triomphe during the New Year’s celebrations on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Rio de Janeiro
Drones make a formation during New Year’s celebrations at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Tita Barros
People play in the waves ahead of New Year’s celebrations, at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Tita Barros TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Moscow
People take part in New Year celebrations near St. Basil’s Cathedral in central Moscow, Russia January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Anastasia Barashkova
Ukraine
People hold sparlklers next to a Christmas tree during a New Year’s eve celebration before a curfew, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
Tokyo
Fireworks explode as a projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato
Beijing
People gather during a New Year ceremony at Juyongguan Great Wall section, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
