Overview
- Kiritimati in Kiribati entered 2026 at 11:00 MEZ, followed by the Chatham Islands, with New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga crossing the threshold at 12:00 MEZ.
- Sydney’s showcase is set for 14:00 MEZ with nine tonnes of pyrotechnics, a pre‑midnight Harbour Bridge tribute in white light with a Menora projection, and the cancellation of Bondi Beach festivities after the December 14 attack.
- German cities plan major gatherings in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, with Berlin deploying about 4,300 police and authorities across states warning against fireworks violence.
- The Netherlands has approved a nationwide ban on private fireworks starting with the 2026/2027 New Year, and officials anticipate an especially intense final year of private displays.
- New York’s Times Square Ball Drop remains a late highlight, with organizers planning the traditional countdown and a dual drop to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.