New Year’s celebrations unfolded across the globe with a mix of exuberance and somber reflection, as communities marked the arrival of 2026 amid ongoing conflicts and recent tragedies.
Celebrations Around the World
A countdown to midnight was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and Russians celebrated in snowy Moscow. In Japan, temple bells rang and some climbed mountains to see the year’s first sunrise, while a light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai.
Security Measures Increased in Sydney
A heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks in Sydney. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event, following a shooting at a Hannukah celebration in Bondi Beach on December 14 that killed 15.
An hour before midnight, victims were commemorated with a minute of silence, and the crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents to attend festivities, stating that smaller crowds would be seen as a victory for extremists.
Shadows of War and Disaster
Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in Sumatra a month ago that killed over 1100. Fireworks on Bali were replaced with traditional dances.
Hong Kong rang in 2026 without fireworks over Victoria Harbor after a massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks were turned into countdown clocks and a light show was held at midnight.
In Gaza, Palestinians expressed hope that the new year would bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. “The war humiliated us,” said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from Rafah.
European Celebrations and Reflections
Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for Rome to welcome foreigners and the vulnerable. Fireworks were planned over European landmarks, including the Colosseum and the London Eye.
In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney urged Scots to follow the message of “Auld Lang Syne” by national poet Robert Burns and show small acts of kindness.
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in capitals to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets.
New York City Prepares for Times Square
Police in New York City planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the Times Square ball drop, with “mobile screening teams,” though no specific threat was identified. After the ball drops, it will rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday. Zohran Mamdani was taking office as mayor following a private ceremonial event around midnight in an old subway station.
Taissiya Girda, a 27-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan celebrating in Paris, expressed hope for a calmer 2026. “I would like to see happy people around me, no war anywhere,” she said. “Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, I want everybody to be happy and in peace.”
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