As the clock struck midnight across time zones, countries worldwide ushered in the new year with dazzling fireworks, lively street parties, and heartfelt countdowns. Kiribati became the first nation to celebrate 2026, setting off a global chain of joy that lit up skies from the Pacific to Europe, even as some spots dialed back amid security concerns.

The remote atolls of Kiribati, straddling the International Date Line, flipped to 2026 first, with locals on Kiritimati Island firing fireworks and hosting beach gatherings under starry skies. New Zealand's Auckland skyline soon followed, its Sky Tower bursting with thousands of fireworks despite drizzles, as thousands gathered for the iconic countdown.

Sydney Harbour in Australia delivered a breathtaking show over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, drawing massive crowds who danced through heightened security checks. In India, hotspots like Goa beaches, Mumbai's Marine Drive, Delhi's India Gate, and Bengaluru's MG Road exploded in color with fireworks, DJ beats, and family feasts, all under strict traffic advisories.

London claimed Europe's grandest spectacle, unleashing 12,000 fireworks along the Thames for over a million spectators cheering Big Ben. Dubai's Burj Khalifa hosted a laser-packed extravaganza, while Paris lit the Eiffel Tower after scaling back events. New York City's Times Square ball drop capped the night for the Americas, symbolizing fresh starts everywhere.