Happy New Year 2026 Celebrations LIVE: From One country to another, people around the World celebrate together

Hong Kong celebrated the arrival of the New Year without its usual fireworks over the iconic Victoria Harbor, following a devastating fire in November that claimed at least 161 lives.

Instead of pyrotechnics, the city’s tourism board hosted a music show in Central, featuring performances by soft rock duo Air Supply and other artists. The facades of eight prominent landmarks were transformed into giant countdown clocks, presenting a three-minute light show at midnight.

Fireworks have long been a signature part of Hong Kong’s New Year, Lunar New Year, and National Day celebrations, making this year’s subdued festivities a notable departure from tradition.

Additional services of local trains, metro lines, and buses will operate across Mumbai through Wednesday night to accommodate the surge of people celebrating the New Year, officials said.

The Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) will run 12 special suburban services on their respective corridors. Western Railway will operate eight services between Churchgate and Virar, while Central Railway will run four services covering the CSMT-Kalyan and CSMT-Panvel sections. All CR services will depart from originating stations at 1:30 AM on January 1, 2026.

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL), and Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) will also extend services through the night. BEST will operate additional buses, particularly on routes connecting popular beach destinations, till 12:30 AM, along with Heritage Tour buses in South Mumbai running into the early morning.

The MMRC said extended services on Metro Line 3, which connects Colaba to Aarey JVLR via BKC, will begin after 10:30 PM on December 31 and continue until 5:55 AM on January 1. Regular services will resume thereafter.

MMMOCL, which operates Metro Lines 2A and 7, will run 16 extra late-night trips with trains departing every 15 minutes. MMOPL, operating Metro Line 1 (Versova-Ghatkopar), will run 28 additional services on New Year’s Eve, bringing the total trips for the day to 504.

Officials emphasized that these measures aim to ensure safe, smooth, and convenient travel for commuters during the peak celebration hours.

Puri was placed under an unprecedented security blanket on Wednesday as thousands of people thronged the pilgrim town to celebrate the New Year and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

Anticipating the arrival of over 3.5 lakh devotees on Wednesday night and Thursday, the administration deployed around 70 platoons (2,100 personnel), installed more than 300 CCTV cameras, and engaged around 300 lifeguards on the beach to ensure safe celebrations, Puri SP Prateek Singh said.

“The administration is taking no chances as major irregularities occurred during this year’s Rath Yatra,” a district official said, adding that extensive arrangements were made as many devotees wished to begin the New Year with the darshan of the trinity – Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said the temple gates would open for devotees from 2 am on Thursday. With large crowds expected, the temple doors will remain closed from 11 pm to 2 am for religious rituals, Padhee added.

Puri district collector Dibya Jyoti Parida has cancelled the leaves of all government employees in the temple town till January 4, urging them to assist the administration in managing crowds and traffic.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across Jharkhand ahead of New Year celebrations to ensure law and order, police said on Wednesday.

With large crowds expected at dams, rivers, reservoirs and waterfalls such as Dasham Falls, Jonha Falls and Hundru Falls, authorities have stepped up surveillance at popular picnic spots, parks and zoos across the state.

Ranchi Superintendent of Police (SP) Paras Rana said, “In view of the New Year celebrations, security have been tightened in and around the city. All police station in-charges have been directed to maintain surveillance in hotels, restaurants, parks, and particularly at dams and water reservoirs to prevent any untoward incidents. In all, we have identified 104 places and deployed security forces.”

Police have also issued directions to take action against the use of loudspeakers during night hours. Intensive checks will be carried out on all routes connected to the state capital, with strict action planned against motorists found driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday extended New Year 2026 greetings to the people of the state, wishing them happiness, peace and prosperity.

In his message, Dhami reflected on Uttarakhand’s development journey, saying the year 2025 marked significant progress across multiple sectors. He said the state’s growth has been shaped by sustained efforts, public participation and an emphasis on transparency and improved work culture.

The Chief Minister noted that the idea of balanced and inclusive development has remained central to Uttarakhand since its formation. According to him, recent initiatives aim to strengthen this approach while building a new framework for governance and implementation.

Dhami also highlighted advancements in sectors such as nature and cultural conservation, tourism, agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. He said these initiatives have helped give Uttarakhand a distinct identity at the national level.

He added that the state’s policy measures and development programmes are increasingly being referenced by other states, attributing this to long-term planning and consistent execution.

Australia’s Sydney welcomed 2026 with its world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display under heightened police security, weeks after a deadly attack at a Jewish event in the city that claimed 15 lives.

The annual celebration, watched by millions around the world, featured around 40,000 pyrotechnic effects spread across a seven-kilometre stretch of Sydney Harbour. Fireworks were launched from buildings and barges, illuminating the skyline around the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Ahead of the midnight celebrations, organisers held a minute’s silence at 11:00 pm local time (1200 GMT) to honour the victims of the recent attack. As part of the tribute, the Harbour Bridge was lit in white, while a menorah — a symbol closely associated with Judaism — was projected onto the bridge’s pylons.

Despite the sombre moment, the city went ahead with its New Year festivities, with authorities maintaining an enhanced security presence across key locations to ensure public safety.

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday extended New Year greetings to citizens, urging them to deepen their commitment to national development, social harmony and environmental protection as India steps into 2026.

In her message on the eve of the New Year, the President said the occasion symbolises renewed energy and positive change, and offers a moment for self-reflection and fresh resolutions. She called on people to channel this spirit into collective efforts for the country’s progress.

Wishing peace, happiness and prosperity for the year ahead, Murmu said 2026 should infuse new energy into building a stronger and more prosperous India. She conveyed her greetings to Indians living both in the country and abroad.

Kiribati: 3:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

New Zealand: 4:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

Australia (East Coast): 6:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

Japan, South Korea & North Korea: 8:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

China, Hong Kong & Taiwan: 9:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

Thailand: 10:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

India & Sri Lanka: 12:00 AM IST (Midnight)

Russia (Moscow): 2:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Ukraine: 3:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Germany, France, Spain, Italy & Switzerland: 4:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

UK, Portugal & Ghana: 5:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Brazil & Argentina: 8:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

US (East Coast): 10:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Auckland became the first major city in the world to usher in 2026, marking the moment with a fireworks display launched from the iconic Sky Tower. The celebrations, however, were dampened by rain, with wet weather affecting festivities across parts of New Zealand.

As countries in the South Pacific bid goodbye to 2025, clocks in Auckland — home to around 1.7 million people — struck midnight nearly 18 hours before the New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York’s Times Square. Despite the weather, the city’s downtown fireworks went ahead as planned.

The five-minute show featured around 3,500 fireworks fired from multiple levels of the 240-metre (787-foot) Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest structure. The spectacle lit up the skyline, drawing crowds who braved the rain to witness the early New Year celebrations.

However, adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of several smaller community events across the North Island. Forecasts warning of rain and possible thunderstorms led authorities to call off local festivities in the interest of public safety.