NYE fireworks: Celebrations in Australia, around the world
The world’s major cities have partied the night away as they brought in 2020 after Australia’s controversial fireworks display went ahead.
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The world has welcomed the start of the new decade with celebrations across the globe from Australia to New Zealand, Hong Kong, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and many more.
See how partygoers marked the move to 2020.
NEW YORK
Revellers in New York City rang in 2020 in style with the iconic ball drop in a jam-packed Times Square.
Security was high for the event with drones monitoring Times Square for the first time in history and thousands of police officers in attendance.
SWITZERLAND
SLOVENIA
BRAZIL
LONDON
Londoners watched a spectacular fireworks display from the banks of the River Thames that was launched from the London Eye and barges near Parliament.
The familiar chimes of London’s Big Ben clock tower rung in the new year, even though they have been silent for most of 2019 because of extensive restoration work.
To the north, the multi-day Hogmanay New Year’s celebrations in Edinburgh began Monday night with a torchlight parade through the streets of the Scottish capital.
Security was tight in both cities and elsewhere in Britain following a recent extremist attack on London Bridge that claimed two lives. Police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism offenses Monday but said the arrests were not related to the London Bridge attack or to celebrations.
PARIS
A joyful crowd of Parisians and tourists walked, biked and used scooters to reach the Champs-Elysees for the new year celebrations, in a city with almost no public transport amid massive strikes.
Revelers were at the famous avenue to watch a light show at the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a fireworks display at midnight.
Paris police set up a security perimeter around the Champs-Elysees area with a ban on alcohol and traffic restrictions.
All metro lines in the French capital were closed except for two automatic lines, and only a few night buses were running, as Tuesday marked the 27th consecutive day of transport strikes against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to overhaul the French pension system.
DUBAI
For nearly 10 minutes, fireworks lit the sky over Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as hundreds of thousands gather downtown to watch the spectacular display.
The New Year’s Eve display at the 828-meter-tall skyscraper is just one of seven different fireworks shows across the emirate. Tourists, especially from Europe and Russia, flock to the sunny beaches of Dubai at this time of year to escape the cold, dark winter.
To keep the massive crowds safe, police have created walkways around the Burj Khalifa tower for male-only groups to separate them from families and women. Dubai this year will be hosting Expo 2020, a world fair that brings the most cutting-edge and futuristic technologies.
GERMANY
Hundreds of thousands of revelers rang in the New Year in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Several German cities including Munich and Hamburg have banned private fireworks amid concerns about the danger and environmental impacts from the increasingly powerful fireworks. A recent poll by the Forsa research institute found 59 per cent of Germans would support a ban on private fireworks in city centers, while 37 per cent were opposed.
RUSSIA
Russians began the world’s longest continuous New Year’s Eve with fireworks and a message from President Vladimir Putin urging them to work together in the coming year.
Mr Putin made the call in a short speech broadcast on television just before the stroke of midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones.
“We are living in turbulent, dynamic and controversial times, but we can and should do everything for Russia to develop successfully and so that everything in our lives can change only for the better,” he said.
As is tradition, the recorded message was followed by an image of the Kremlin Clock and the sound of its chimes.
State TV showed footage of extensive festive fireworks in cities of the Far East.
But one holiday tradition is missing in Moscow this year – a picturesque layer of snow.
The Russian capital has had an unusually warm December and temperatures in central Moscow as midnight approached were just above freezing.
GREECE
SINGAPORE
Millions of people gathered in Marina Bay to watch drones put on a spectacular lighting display and fireworks opener before the city rang in 2020.
THAILAND
Some 100, 000 people gathered to welcome the new decade in Bangkok.
ISTANBUL
SRI LANKA
INDIA
Millions crammed into watch a massive fireworks display erupt over Mumbai's Gateway of India.
HONG KONG
Revellers as well as pro-democracy protesters flocked to sites across Hong Kong to usher in 2020.
The semi-autonomous Chinese city has toned down New Year’s celebrations amid the months-long demonstrations.
The ongoing protests have repeatedly sparked confrontations with police and have taken their toll on Hong Kong’s night-life and travel industries.
#WATCH: Hong Kong rings in the New Year; celebrations at Victoria Harbour. pic.twitter.com/aEwHGiTOy9
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2019
A fireworks display that traditionally lights up famed Victoria Harbour was cancelled amid safety concerns, while some roads were closed and barriers set up in the Lan Kwai Fong night-life district for crowd control.
JAPAN
People flocked to temples and shrines in Japan, offering incense with their prayers to celebrate the passing of a year and the first New Year’s of the Reiwa era.
Under Japan’s old-style calendar, linked to emperors’ rules, Reiwa started in May, after Emperor Akihito stepped down and his son Naruhito became emperor.
Although Reiwa is entering its second year with 2020, January 1 still marks Reiwa’s first New Year’s, the most important holiday in Japan.
“We have a new era and so I am hoping things will be better, although 2019 was also a good year because nothing bad happened,” said Masashi Ogami, 38, who runs a sweet rice wine stall at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo.
Other stalls sold fried noodles and candied apples, as well as little figures and amulets in the shape of mice, the zodiac animal for 2020.
Feliz año 2020 desde Japón
— Mitsuru Nagata (@nagatayakyoto) December 31, 2019
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Happy new year! #HappyNewYear #Japan #2020NewYear pic.twitter.com/jasPvehLK0
Since the Year of the Mouse starts off the Asian zodiac, it’s associated with starting anew.
The first year of the new decade will see Tokyo host the 2020 Olympics, an event that is creating much anticipation for the entire nation.
INDONESIA
Tens of thousands of revellers in Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta were soaked by torrential rains as they waited for New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Festive events along coastal areas near the Sunda Strait were dampened by a possible larger eruption of Anak Krakatoa, an island volcano that erupted last year just ahead of Christmas Day, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 430 people.
SOUTH KOREA
Thousands of South Koreans filled cold downtown streets in Seoul ahead of a traditional bell-tolling ceremony near City Hall to send off an exhausting 2019 highlighted by political scandals, decaying job markets and crumbling diplomacy with North Korea.
Dignitaries ringing the old Bosingak bell at midnight included Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and Pengsoo, a giant penguin character with a gruff voice and blunt personality that emerged as one of the country’s biggest TV stars in 2019.
The annual tolling of the “peace bell” at Imjingak park near the border with North Korea was cancelled due to quarantine measures following an outbreak of African swine fever.
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SYDNEY
Nothing it seems was going to stop these fireworks, even while much of New South Wales remains on fire.
Twitter users said the light show on Sydney Harbour was not as spectacular as in previous years due to poor visibility from surrounding fires.
The fireworks have been shrouded in controversy amid calls for the celebrations to be scrapped and funds redirected to drought and bushfire relief.
The NSW Rural Fire Service on Monday granted the fireworks – seen by one billion people across the world – an exemption from a total fire ban.
More than a million people descended on a hazy Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas to ring in the new year despite the ongoing bushfire crisis ravaging the state.
Crowds lining the harbour watched the display as indigenous electronic duo Electric Fields kicked off an all-Australian musical playlist.
The pylons of the centrepiece Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier lit up with messages urging donations to the Red Cross’ disaster relief fund.
By midnight, more than $700,000 had been raised.
The planned 9pm fireworks over Sydney’s iconic landmarks were delayed by 15 minutes due to strong winds, but revellers clearly enjoyed themselves in a desperately needed tonic for the state.
New South Wales has copped the brunt of fire damage, which has razed more than 1000 homes nationwide and killed 12 people in the past few months.
Eleven other fireworks displays across Sydney were cancelled due to worsening fire conditions and extreme winds expected later in the evening.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro was among those who supported the cancellation of the event, broadcast across the world.
“If regional areas have had fireworks banned, then let’s not have two classes of citizens. We’re all in this crisis together,” he tweeted.
Taking in fireworks display in Sydney, live online, at 2pm from my home base in Amsterdam. My party starts early, ends late, crossing multiple time zones. Happy New Year wherever you find yourself today. Thoughts are with those battling raging fires across 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/3brPPWt3YK
— Andrew Orsatti (@AndrewOrsatti) December 31, 2019
Happy New Year from Sydney!! What an incredible decade it has been for me personally, especially for the latter part! I can't wait for what 2020 and the rest of the decade has in store for us all! Hope everyone has a great one! #HappyNewYear #SydneyFireworks pic.twitter.com/eqYiXxuLTk
— Debajyoti Choudhury (@TDC1991) December 31, 2019
MELBOURNE
Melburnians also expressed a sense of confusion while watching fireworks light-up the skyline as Victoria fights devastating fires.
Happy New Year everyone! We watched the Melbourne fireworks from the office and I wore my pjs. Perfect start to the year. 😆 pic.twitter.com/YN2pe3ZDmG
— Mel 📚ðŸ‰ðŸš€ (@Booksandsundry) December 31, 2019
HNY everyone from Melbourne. Fireworks when so much of the country is ablaze seems odd but here’s hoping for a happy, healthy and a rain soaked (for parts of Aus) 2020. pic.twitter.com/jvNjA5kaZq
— Gary Belfield (@GBelfield) December 31, 2019
For those who missed the Melbourne CBD fireworks show...HAPPY NEW YEAR..!!!🎇🎆🧨 pic.twitter.com/ZMkwvFciDS
— Darren WILSON (@DarrenW006) December 31, 2019
Nigel Hooley, who camped out with family in front of the Rod Laver Arena, said the night was “great” because it didn’t get too smoky, while he also supported the mover that fireworks were right to go ahead despite the controversy.
“I understand where people calling to cancel them are coming from, but at the end of the day, the city has spent money on it anyway and people can also use the night to enjoy themselves and be with the family,” he said.
“Maybe the city council should donate money to the Rural Fire Service.”
The city council said New Year’s Eve 2019 would help raise funds for the Salvation Army Emergency Services responding to bushfires in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.
CANBERRA
Fireworks displays, however, were scrapped in Canberra, due to elevated fire danger and extreme weather conditions, making it the only Australian city to ditch the annual tradition.
I watched the #Sydney #NYE2020 #fireworks on TV from #canberra while others watched them #globally it doesn't mean I care less about the #bushfires devastating parts of #australia. @ Barton, Australian Capital… https://t.co/h3PTLA80s3
— Paul Coore (@PaulCoore) December 31, 2019
Welcoming in the New Year in Canberra with a suffocating reminder of the #AustralianFires.
— A Crafty Raven (@CraftyCorvus) December 31, 2019
No-one's out tonight except the firies and the ambos, announced by their frequent sirens. Much respect for all emergency services personnel helping us through this. pic.twitter.com/cGuaS6kGFJ
Downtown Canberra tonight. Fires are not very close. Visibility very poor, smoke very thick. Glad they cancelled the fireworks. Wish Morrison was here now but he’s enjoying a party on the harbour..... #canberra #nswisburning #nswbushfires pic.twitter.com/48OCdcgH2N
— Melanie (@sydneygrrl) December 31, 2019
#NYE2019 #Canberra. Choking smoke from the devastating #southcoastfires; minor compared with what South Coast people have been through today. No parties or fireworks here or there. #ClimateEmergency @ScottMorrisonMP @AlboMP pic.twitter.com/XpeIjxVhTn
— Alison Jones (@Alisoninlibrary) December 31, 2019
HOBART
In Hobart, locals were treated to major firework shows at 9pm and midnight.
In the northwest of Tasmania, the Burnie Bite and Brew waterfront party also had fireworks at 9:30pm and midnight.
In Launceston, the BeerFest hosted two fireworks shows, one at 9pm and the other at midnight.
And those yachts bringing up the rear in the Sydney to Hobart race were met with cheers from New Year’s Eve revellers.
9.30pm fireworks, Hobart pic.twitter.com/gt7DqvtXNP
— Jenny Ejlak (@JennyEjlak) December 31, 2019
Happy New Year from #Hobart. Much gratitude to you 💜 pic.twitter.com/dwDlfgW2gw
— 💧 Graciously Grateful (@wGrAttitude) December 31, 2019
Happy New Decade All !!#NewYear #Hobart #Australia #SriLanka #lka pic.twitter.com/7WyRECQGQx
— Shan Rathnasooriya 🇱🇰 (@Mr6feet) December 31, 2019
New Years Eve Family Fireworks over Hobart #Tasmania pic: https://t.co/jeOkd12ncS pic.twitter.com/euRvJYBxfp
— Tasmania Today (@today_tasmania) December 31, 2019
New Years Family Fireworks over Hobart #Tasmania pic: https://t.co/Sknj6AwGDz pic.twitter.com/9zlSDXWH9F
— Tasmania Today (@today_tasmania) December 31, 2019
BRISBANE
Happy New Year from Brisbane!!! pic.twitter.com/mrS7kuYHsb
— Patrick Thomsen (@Saulmatino) December 31, 2019
Brisbane exploded with light and colour as fireworks brought in the New Year.
However, a man seriously injured his hand in a firework incident on an island off southeast Queensland.
Paramedics attended to the 27-year-old man before he was flown from Macleay Island to a Brisbane hospital, say Queensland Ambulance Services.
#HappyNewYear Brisbane. The midnight rain is amazing! pic.twitter.com/vgQCpDMdMJ
— Brent Davidson (@Brentus88) December 31, 2019
The man is conscious but has a serious hand and finger injury that is expected to need surgery.
The incident on New Year’s Eve comes a day after a man lost his hand and suffered other serious injuries in an explosion at a Brisbane home.
A man aged in his 40s was hospitalised in a serious condition on Monday.
ADELAIDE
New Year Celebrations Adelaide#happynewyear2020 pic.twitter.com/chO4MfuNfA
— Omar Akhtar (@Omarakhtar007) December 31, 2019
Adelaide’s first celebration of the end of 2019 was almost a disaster when the 9pm fireworks show set a section of the River Torrens alight.
Thousands of people on the eastern bank of Rymill Park leapt to their feet as a section of grassland on the western bank burst into flame just after 9pm.
BREAKING #NYE #Adelaide fireworks display sparks fire in front of @TheAdelaideOval #NewYearseve@CityofAdelaide @theTiser pic.twitter.com/avEoTUJkHl
— Andrew Hough (@andrew_hough) December 31, 2019
The fire, which spread several metres and reached roughly five to eight metres into the air, was quickly extinguished by a fireworks technician carrying a water hose.
Fire ban... nah she will be right it’s New Years...let’s have fireworks!🤦ðŸ»â€â™‚ï¸#Adelaide pic.twitter.com/vePiyNbhC7
— kevin white (@kevoooo22) December 31, 2019
DARWIN
Thousands of people descended on the Darwin Waterfront and nightspots across the Territory to welcome a new decade in on New Year’s Eve.
Organisers said — despite a welcome rainstorm — thousands of revellers packed into the Darwin Waterfront to be part of its huge family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations, which included Aussie music icon Daryl Braithwaite, a Pink tribute band, children’s entertainment and fireworks.
PERTH
Tens of thousands of people enjoyed fireworks displays in Northbridge, Fremantle and Rottnest Island.
#happynewyear2020 #perth #australia pic.twitter.com/sFKG8l7XcB
— BeÅŸiktaÅŸ Avustralya 🦅🦅🦅 (@BJK_Australia) December 31, 2019
Já é 2020 em Perth Austrália. Eu e meu au-au não varanda filmando pra vcs!! 🥰🥰🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ pic.twitter.com/jp6U37HGaA
— LuciAna (@ArmitageLucie) December 31, 2019
In Fremantle, Cold Chisel rocked an outdoor concert, while Wellington Square was taken over by some of the world’s biggest dance acts, including Tyler, The Creator.
Yagan Square was also packed as the cultural hub hosted live music and entertainment.
NEW ZEALAND
While the Pacific island nation of Kiribati and Samoa were among the first countries to welcome the new decade, New Zealanders have also celebrated the beginning of the new year.
In Auckland, half a ton of fireworks burst from the Sky Tower above the city centre.
Happy New Year from New Zealand #auckland pic.twitter.com/44WWIoEOMw
— leilux (@leilux2) December 31, 2019
New Zealanders saw off a difficult year, following the March 15 mass shooting in Christchurch where a white supremacist killed 51 people, and last month the eruption of the White Island volcano off the east coast of the North Island killed at least 19 tourists and tour guides, including many Australians.
#NewYear2020 #auckland #firstnewyearcity #HappyNewYear #NYE2020 #2020. pic.twitter.com/e1V7SYyj8V
— Vivek Rawat (@rawatvivek1) December 31, 2019