Sydney, considered the New Year's capital of the world, held a colorful celebration that included a moment of silence for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

A huge crowd gathered on the Las Vegas Strip on New Year's Eve to watch a massive fireworks display marking the arrival of 2026. (AP Video by Ty ONeil)

HONG KONG (AP) — Fireworks are typically a celebratory centerpiece of Hong Kong’s New Year celebrations. Not this year. The territory greeted 2026 without spectacular and colorful explosions in the sky over its iconic Victoria Harbor after a massive fire in November that killed at least 161 people.

Thousands came to Auditorium Shores to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks display and celebrate the first moments of 2026.

From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds have rung in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks.

The City of San Antonio ushered in 2026 with its annual downtown fireworks show. Behind it, fireworks reached the skyline of the city in all directions.

Before New Year's celebrations, check out these Texas fireworks laws. Plus, here are some NYE events around Austin.

Jan 1 (Reuters) - 10...nine...eight... As Wednesday turned to Thursday, people around the world said goodbye to a sometimes challenging 2025 and expressed hopes for the New Year to come. Midnight arrived first on the islands closest to the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean,