Sydney, Auckland Usher in New Year With Dazzling Display of Light And Fireworks | WATCH

New Delhi, India: Sydney welcomed 2025 in grand style. The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House served as the stage for a dazzling show featuring over 8 tons of fireworks, lighting up the night sky in a symphony of colours, lights, and music.  

Millions of people gathered at the harbour and tuned in live from across the globe. One of the people gathered at Sydney Opera House to witness the New Year celebration said, "I am from Nepal and I am very excited to witness the celebrations here... I wish New Year to everyone in advance..."

Sydney Midnight Fireworks: All you need to know

Sydney, the capital of New South Wales (NSW) state, is one of the world's first major cities to welcome each New Year, with a public countdown and fireworks display over its iconic Opera House. More than 100 artists were engaged to produce Sydney New Year’s Eve 2024.

For the first time, fireworks dazzled the harbour from both the east and west sides of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, the glorious Sydney Opera House and rooftops across the Sydney skyline, promising a spectacular midnight display for audiences stretching the foreshore.

Robbie Williams performs live at Sydney Opera House

Robbie Williams delivered a live performance from the Sydney Opera House that was projected on both sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Midnight Fireworks: Full schedule

Smoking Ceremony

A ritual of purification and unity of smouldering native plants on the iconic vessels Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi and Wirawi began  at 7.30 pm.

Welcome to Country

At 8.30 pm, Welcome to Country Elders from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council welcome visitors to Gadigal land.

Pylon projections and lighting effects

At 8.30 pm, projections enliven the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons throughout the night. Lighting effects on the eastern side dazzle the harbour foreshore.

Calling Country fireworks

At 9 pm, a celebration of sky, land and sea country was presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through music, dance and illustration.

Sydney Harbour Lights

At 9.15 pm, boats adorned with lights create a visual spectacle as they glide across the harbour.

Live singalong with Robbie Williams

At 11.45 pm, the countdown to 2025 begins. Robbie Williams performed along with the thousands who have assembled.

Fireworks

At midnight ringed in the new year with the world's best fireworks show. Featuring pyrotechnics launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and other Sydney landmarks, together with a stunning soundtrack by composer Luna Pan.

New Zealand Rings in 2025 With Dazzling Fireworks 

Earlier New Zealand, ushered in the New Year as one of the first cities to celebrate, with vibrant fireworks on Auckland's sky tower and lively festivities marking the occasion.

In Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, thousands were anticipated to gather in the downtown area or ascend the city's volcanic peaks for a prime fireworks view, alongside a light display honoring Auckland's Indigenous tribes. This comes after a year marked by protests over Māori rights in the nation of 5 million.

Fireworks light up the sky in Auckland 

Cities around the world are readying to ring in the New Year with celebrations highlighting local cultures and traditions, after a year roiled by ongoing conflict and political instability.

Countries in the South Pacific Ocean will be the first to welcome 2025, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.

New Zealand Rings in 2025 with Dazzling Fireworks

In Australia, more than 1 million people are expected at Sydney Harbor for the traditional fireworks. British pop star Robbie Williams will lead a singalong and Indigenous ceremonies and performances will acknowledge the land's first people.

Asia gets ready for the Year of the Snake

Much of Japan has shut down ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called “tatami” with big sticks.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin. Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, have been selling tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products. Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.

In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or canceled as the country observes a period of national mourning following the Sunday crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people.

New Year celebrations in Jakarta will feature a dazzling fireworks display, including a drone show featuring 800 drones, followed by countdowns to midnight at the city's iconic Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.