The world welcomed 2025 with stunning fireworks displays (Credit: Viscious-Speed/ CC0/ Wikimedia Commons)

As the clock struck midnight, cities across the globe erupted in a dazzling display of light and color to welcome 2025. These stunning pyrotechnic spectacles lit up landmarks and brought communities together in a shared moment of joy and anticipation for the year ahead. Here is a look at some of this year’s most spectacular displays worldwide.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney, one of the first major cities to welcome the New Year, marks the occasion with two fireworks shows. The first one, meant for families with young children, lights up the sky at 9:00 pm.

The second, more extravagant show takes place at midnight. This year, over a million spectators gathered around Sydney Harbour to witness the 12-minute spectacle. Fireworks were launched from iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and nearby barges. For the first time, the display was visible from both the east and west sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, making the celebration even more memorable.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Ras Al Khaimah welcomed 2025 with a mesmerizing drone and fireworks show that lit up over 3.1 miles (5 km) of its waterfront. Dubbed "Our Story in the Sky," the event celebrated the city's rich natural and cultural heritage. Watched live by over 100,000 people, the spectacular display set two Guinness World Records for the largest aerial images ever created by drones.

Hong Kong, China

Hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered along Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour to see the breathtaking 12-minute fireworks display. Themed "The Symphony of Happiness," it combined dazzling fireworks with pyrotechnic effects launched from prominent rooftops across the skyline. This multi-layered approach filled the harbor with vibrant colors and sounds, creating an immersive atmosphere that resonated throughout the city.

London, UK

London ushered in 2025 with Europe’s biggest New Year’s show. The 11-minute display, featuring over 12,000 fireworks, kicked off with the message, “Your New Year Is Unwritten.” It then reflected on key moments from 2024, including the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024. The exciting show concluded with a heartwarming video message from Paddington Bear which stated, "In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.”

Happy New(s) Year!

Resources: Mirror.co.uk, DailyMail.co.uk, CNN.com, Yahoo.com, Standard.co.UK