Countries around the world have ushered in 2026 in a cascade of celebrations, with midnight rolling from one time zone to the next.
The first place to enter the new year was the remote Pacific atoll of Kiritimati, part of Kiribati. There, one tourist described a uniquely serene celebration: “on a beach with no satellites, no signs of human life, complete darkness and countless crabs.”
In London, thousands of spectators watched fireworks illuminate the skyline. In Edinburgh, traditional Hogmanay festivities proceeded despite weather warnings, with crowds gathering in the city’s streets.
Across the Atlantic, a crowd estimated at one million strong cheered as the iconic ball dropped in New York City’s Times Square, a confetti-filled finale to the global celebrations.
By James Kisoo
