New Year’s Eve celebrations are taking place all over the world with the advent of 2023

[ad_1]

Brightcove video playback

ITV News’ Charlie Frost takes a look at how the world is welcoming the New Year

A countdown and fireworks marked the start of 2023 as millions celebrate the first New Year without Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic began in 2020.

While Covid continues to cause death around the world, particularly in China, many countries have substantially lifted quarantine requirements, visitor restrictions, and relentless testing that has limited travel.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first country to welcome in the new year, with 2023 approaching an hour ahead of neighbors, including New Zealand.

Take a look at the ways some countries around the world have brought in the New Year:

In Auckland, large crowds gather under the Sky Tower, as fireworks precede a 10-second countdown to midnight.

Fireworks explode over the Sky Tower in central Auckland. Credit: Dean Purcel/NZ Herald via AP

Festivities in New Zealand’s largest city were well received after the Covid-19 virus forced them to cancel a year ago.

In Australia, more than a million people thronged Sydney’s waterfront to celebrate a multi-million dollar rally around the themes of diversity and inclusion.

More than 7,000 fireworks were launched from the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and another 2,000 from the nearby Opera House.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Credit: Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP

Stephen Gilbey, producer of major events and festivals in the city, told The Sydney Morning Herald that it was “the gig Sydney deserves”.

“We have had a rather difficult couple of years; we are very pleased to be able this year to welcome people back to the foreshores of Sydney Harbor to celebrate the world famous New Year’s Eve in Sydney.”

In Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, a family-friendly fireworks display has been shown along the Yarra River as dusk falls, ahead of a second session at midnight.

People lit their phones while waiting to celebrate the New Year in front of the Bosingak Pavilion where the annual New Year’s bell-ringing ceremony takes place in Seoul, South Korea.

People gather ahead of a New Year’s countdown event in downtown Seoul, South Korea. Credit: AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man

Despite a nationwide spike in Covid-19 infections, celebrations are being held in China at landmarks such as the Great Wall of China in Beijing and along Shanghai’s Bund.

Revelers celebrate the New Year at Shougang Park in Beijing. Credit: A.P

Hong Kong, which has removed all Covid restrictions on visiting tourists, has welcomed the new year with a huge display of fireworks and lights.

Buildings facing the famous Victoria Harbor were lit up in colorful images while giant fireworks lit up the night sky above.

The port separates Hong Kong Island in the south from Kowloon Peninsula in the north.

Hong Kong celebrates the beginning of the year 2023

Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Taiwan celebrated with a dazzling display of fireworks atop the Taipei 101 skyscraper, lighting up the sky after a minute-long countdown to 2023.

A total of 16,000 fireworks were launched over the course of just five minutes.

Light shows in Taiwan lit up the sky

Thailand’s capital Bangkok kicks off in style in 2023, with a stunning fireworks display over the river.

People in Bangkok celebrate the coming of the new year

In Europe, many in Ukraine have returned to the capital, Kyiv, to spend New Year’s Eve with their loved ones.

A Ukrainian soldier, Vasyl, joyfully met his daughter Yana and wife Galina, who were living in Slovakia because of the war, when they returned to Kyiv to spend New Year’s Eve together.

Vasyl hugs his daughter Yana as she arrives at the train station in Kyiv to spend New Year’s Eve together. Photo credit: AP Photo/Roman Hrytsyna A woman holds a diamond as she dances in Sofia Square before the New Year’s Eve curfew in Kyiv. Credit: AP Photo/Roman Hrytsyna

Moscow ushered in the New Year with crowds gathering in the streets around the Russian capital’s famous Red Square.

The cobblestone square in the heart of Moscow was closed off by authorities due to Covid restrictions.

People walk in Red Square before it closes to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Credit: A.P

India welcomed the year 2023 as parts of South Asia started their festivities at around 18:30 (GMT).

A balloon seller waits for customers in Hyderabad, India, on New Year’s Eve. Credit: A.P

Celebrations take place in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi as the new year begins in Pakistan.

The city of Karachi welcomed the New Year with fireworks, hoping that the country’s economy will improve in 2023. A huge crowd gathers at Port Grand to watch the fireworks display, dance and celebrate.

Fireworks display outside Port Grand in Karachi

Dubai has ushered in the new year and celebrates with a stunning display of colorful fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world.

Thousands of people whistled and cheered at the parade on top of the tallest building in the world.

The UAE has reportedly attempted to break two Guinness World Records by displaying 452 pyro drones and 15,000 lights, colors and nano shapes in its majestic display in Abu Dhabi.

The countdown is displayed on the facade of the Burj Khalifa

Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Dubai. Photo: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

Kenya has welcomed the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display as seen in the capital, Nairobi.

Fireworks explode over Mama Ngina Drive Mombasa Harbor during New Year’s celebrations in Mombasa, Kenya. Credit: A.P

Paris welcomed the New Year, as the French capital launched fireworks for the first New Year since 2019, after the 2020 and 2021 editions were canceled due to Covid-19.

Revelers watch a sound and light show projected over the Arc de Triomphe as they celebrate the New Year on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Credit: AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard

Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate is lit up during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the German capital. Madrid and Rome are among the other capital cities that are also all welcome in 2023.

Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate is lit up during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Berlin. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Sohn

Want a quick and expert briefing on the most important news? Listen to our latest podcast to find out what you need to know

[ad_2]