New Year's Eve 2019: Celebrations around the world
As the New Year steadily creeps across the globe, countries everywhere are welcoming it with fireworks, candles, countdowns and heightened security. DW brings you highlights as the world says, "Goodbye 2018, hello 2019!"
New year for New Zealand
The Pacific nation Samoa was the first full country to greet 2019, with New Zealand following not too long after. Above, fireworks explode from the Sky Tower in Auckland. Fiji and Tuvalu also said goodbye to 2018 at the same time.
Clear skies for 2019
An afternoon thunderstorm on December 31 did not stop many from camping out in Sydney to catch the Australian city's largest-ever fireworks display. Fortunately, the clouds had lifted by the time midnight rolled around. Some 1.5 million viewers caught the massive 12-minute-long pyrotechnic display above the city's iconic harbor. Other Australian cities' fireworks also drew large crowds.
A different light show
In Seoul, South Korea, some people gathered at the Jogyesa Buddhist temple to light candles as 2019, the new year of the Gregorian calendar, rolled in. As in many other East Asian countries, South Korea will celebrate the Lunar New Year some weeks later. Lasting three days, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. Still, many Koreans now also celebrate the Gregorian new year.
A busy crossing gets busier
Japan welcomed 2019 the same time as Korea. Many revelers flocked to Shibuya Crossing in the heart of Tokyo. Rumored to be the busiest crossing in the world, it would have been hard to get through it on December 31 as it was packed with people waiting to ring in the New Year. However, others may have stayed home to watch a New Year's boxing match on TV!
'Yellow vests' count down
Security officials were on hand at celebrations around the world, including in Paris. France's Interior Ministry remains wary of terrorism following a deadly December attack on the Strasbourg Christmas market. In addition, "yellow vest" protesters (above), who recently have expressed discontent — at times violently — against President Macron, called for peaceful "festive" demonstrations.
Santa stayed for NYE
While Hindu worshipers in India follow various calendars and have new year's celebrations at other points of the year, many also mark the entry of January 1st. Singing, dancing and parties are common, while the artfully painted hair of the above woman in Ahmedabad is something that you see less often!
Countdown in the Kremlin
Moscow was in the last timezone in Russia's huge landmass to celebrate the new year. Muscovites enjoyed concerts and light shows and more than 1,000 ice rinks. There was also the traditional ringing of the bells in the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower.
Berlin's long street party
Tens of thousands of people in Berlin welcomed 2019 with a huge party at Brandenburg Gate. It was the largest New Year's Eve party in the country. As the clock struck over, revellers enjoyed a laser and fireworks display, followed by a series of musical performances including Eagle Eye Cherry and Bonnie Tyler.
London celebrates EU citizens
More than a hundred thousand people watched Europe's biggest fireworks display on the banks of the Thames. Mayor Sadiq Khan dedicated the display to the EU citizens who live in the city. "By paying tribute to our close relationship with Europe as we welcome in the New Year tonight, we will once again show the world that London will always be open," Khan said.