Overview
- Kiribati led the world into 2026, with New Zealand’s Auckland launching an early five‑minute Sky Tower fireworks show despite rain.
- Sydney staged its traditional harbor fireworks after a minute of silence for Bondi Beach victims, with a menorah projected on the Harbour Bridge and officers openly carrying rapid‑fire rifles for the first time.
- Indonesia scaled back events after deadly Sumatra floods as Bali swapped concerts and fireworks for cultural performances, and Hong Kong skipped Victoria Harbour fireworks in favor of light‑show countdowns following a November fire.
- Across Asia, longstanding rituals set the tone as Japan’s temple bells rang, Seoul tolled the Bosingak bell, and drummers performed at Beijing’s Great Wall with computer‑generated horses heralding the coming Lunar Year of the Horse.
- New York prepared for the Times Square ball drop with added NYPD anti‑terror measures including mobile screening teams, which officials said were not tied to a specific threat.