In which countries is it already 2026? This is how the New Year is celebrated around the world

While in several countries the last hours of 2025 are still being counted, other nations are already celebrating the arrival of New Year 2026. Due to time zones, the change of year does not occur at the same time all over the world. Below, it is shown how 2026 advances from the first territories to receive it until it continues its journey around the planet.

Singapore

Fireworks explode over Marina Bay during New Year's celebrations in Singapore. Families admire the spectacle to welcome 2026 with the hope that it will be a great year for everyone.

China

China marked the beginning of the year 2026 with an immersive light show and a countdown at the famous Juyongguan section of the Great Wall. For the celebration, titled “Bells ring, drums roll, Beijing starts 2026”, the facade of the traditional Juyongguan temple was transformed through immersive projections.

Crowds of people braved sub-zero temperatures to enjoy an audiovisual display that included a live drum performance accompanied by a giant display of horses moving to the rhythm. The event was organized by the broadcaster Beijing Television, which broadcasts the New Year's countdown live.

Indonesia

Fireworks explode over the Selamat Datang Monument during New Year's Eve celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia. People gather in the squares with 2026 glasses or headbands to welcome the New Year.

Thailand

Thailand also already entered the year 2026 with a countdown and an ecological fireworks display that illuminated the Bangkok sky along the Chao Phraya River over the Icon Siam department stores. The spectacle, which stretched for 1,400 meters across the Chao Phraya River in the heart of Bangkok, also included a 4D aerial performance, a fusion of pyrotechnic and drone displays, under the theme "In reverence to eternity" to honor the late Queen Mother, Sirikit, who passed away in October.

Taiwan

Taiwan celebrated the arrival of 2026 with a fireworks show at the Taipei building, located in the city of the same name, which is characterized by an architecture that mixes a thousand-year-old tradition with modern constructions.

South Asia

At 12:30 hours (Mexico City), South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, among others, welcomed the New Year 2026.

Philippines

In Quezon, the main city in the Philippines, they celebrated December 31st with fireworks that lit up almost the entire night sky.

Japan

Similarly, Japan celebrated New Year 2026 with celebrations in its main temples and cities, such as Tokyo, where there were dazzling fireworks.

Fiji

Subsequently, at 11:00 GMT, New Year began in the islands of Samoa and Tonga, as well as in the New Zealand region of Auckland, territories that are one hour ahead of Fiji, one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the Pacific.

Australia Welcomes the New Year 2026

Cities like Sydney and Melbourne welcome the New Year 2026 with massive events and fireworks. Although in Sydney, the self-proclaimed "world capital of New Year's Eve," New Year's Eve preparations had a bitter taste. Just two weeks ago, two men stormed a Jewish party at the popular Bondi beach and killed 15 people, the most serious massacre in the country in three decades. Therefore, the organizers of Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks display observed a minute of silence for the victims of the recent attack at Bondi Beach at 11 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) on Wednesday, December 31st.

First countries to welcome 2026

Pacific nations like Kiribati and Samoa were the first to toast to 2026, followed by New Zealand, whose capital Wellington was illuminated with fireworks.

Facts about New Year

• In some countries, as in the case of China and South Korea, the New Year takes place on the first day of the lunar month
• Historical records indicate that the first celebration took place more than 4 thousand years ago in Babylon
• Julius Caesar was in charge of replacing the Gregorian calendar with the Julian, which is why the Romans began to celebrate the New Year from January 1st
• Grapes are the fruit that represents abundance, good luck, positivity and spirituality, which is why they are consumed on this date