A general view of fireworks fired from the General de Gaulle bridge, on the Ebrie lagoon during the New Year celebration in Abidjan on January 1, 2025. (Photo by Sia KAMBOU / AFP)
The world lit up in celebrations to welcome 2025 and bid farewell to the outgoing year. Cities such as New York, Berlin, Tokyo, and Karachi sparkled with elaborate shows and colourful fireworks as people rushed to the streets in excitement.
Followed by a lively eve, some places like India’s Amritsar saw some peace as Sikh devotees started their year by participating in a religious ceremony at the Golden Temple. While visitors in Japan arrived to pray and make offerings on the first morning of the new year at Meiji Shrine.
Here are a few pictures showing the celebrations from across the world.
People watch fireworks during the New Year celebrations in Karachi on January 1, 2025. — AFP
People watch fireworks during the New Year celebrations in Karachi on January 1, 2025 — AFP
People film with their smartphones fireworks fired from the General de Gaulle bridge, on the Ebrie lagoon during the New Year celebration in Abidjan on January 1, 2025. — AFP
Visitors arrive to pray and make offerings on the first morning of the new year at Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo on January 1, 2025. — AFP
Visitors pray and make offerings on the first morning of the new year at Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo on January 1, 2025. — AFP
An electronic board displays ‘Happy New Year’ as confetti falls after the ball drop at Times Square during New Year’s celebrations in New York City, US, January 1, 2025. — Reuters
A Sikh devotee takes a dip in the holy sarovar at the Golden Temple during the New Year’s Day in Amritsar on January 1, 2025. — AFP
Sikh devotees take a dip in the holy sarovar at the Golden Temple during the New Year’s Day in Amritsar on January 1, 2025. — AFP
Isabel Maldonado, 4, throws confetti after the ball drop at Times Square during New Year’s celebrations in New York City, US, January 1, 2025— AFP
A woman smiles after the ball drop at Times Square during New Year’s celebrations in New York City, U.S., January 1, 2025. — Reuters
People stand next to an area covered in confetti after the ball drop at Times Square during New Year’s celebrations in New York City, US, January 1, 2025. — Reuters
A general view of fireworks fired from the General de Gaulle bridge, on the Ebrie lagoon during the New Year celebration in Abidjan on January 1, 2025. — AFP
A member of the Shembe Church (R) kneels in prayer as a surfer (L) walks into the ocean on New Year’s day in Durban on January 1, 2025. — AFP
People take part in the annual Allendale Tar Barrel Festival, in Allendale, northern England, Britain, December 31, 2024. — Reuters
Fireworks explode during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the new year in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, Chile January 1, 2025. — Reuters
A man prays on the first morning of the new year at Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo on January 1, 2025. — AFP
Fireworks burst over the Brandenburg Gate during New Year’s celebrations in Berlin, Germany, January 1, 2025. — Reuters
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