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World kicks off NYE party as Brits hit town despite 70mph gales & downpours

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World kicks off NYE party as Brits hit town despite 70mph gales & downpours

DUBAI has ushered in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display from the world’s tallest building – as London continues to get ready.

Excited Brits are already hitting the town nice and early as they brave the torrid weather and prepare to celebrate the end of 2024 in style.

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New Year revellers are braving the weather in Leeds as they prepare for a night of celebrationsCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Celebrations are also underway in Liverpool

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Celebrations are also underway in LiverpoolCredit: London News Pictures
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong Kong

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Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong KongCredit: AFP
Crowds walk along the closed Westminster Bridge ahead of the New Year’s Eve fireworks show

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Crowds walk along the closed Westminster Bridge ahead of the New Year’s Eve fireworks showCredit: Alamy
The fireworks display at the Sydney Opera House

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The fireworks display at the Sydney Opera HouseCredit: Getty

The glitzy city wowed onlookers with a mega pyrotechnic display at the Burj Khalifa as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates.

The mesmerising celebration saw fireworks shoot out from the towering structure as it was lit up in spectacular colours.

It follows Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and India who have all kicked off the night of celebrations already.

The Pacific island of Kiritimati – also known as Christmas Island – was the first in the world to hit midnight at 10am UK time.

Auckland in New Zealand followed at 11am, with crowds gathered at the city’s Sky Tower to celebrate, as well as downtown for a lights show.

Tokyo, in Japan, and Seoul, South Korea, were then among the cities to usher in the New Year at 3pm.

Sydney held a spectacular early fireworks display – referred to as Calling Country – for families at 9pm local time.

Photos showed an estimated one million-strong crowd gathered around Sydney Harbour with the atmosphere described as “electric”.

British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong, while Indigenous ceremonies and performances also acknowledged the land’s first people.

Much of Japan shut down for the nations biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called tatami with big sticks.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth alluding to the reptiles shedding skin.

In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or cancelled as the country observes a period of national mourning following Sunday’s plane crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people.

Over in Hong Kong, the tourism board called their countdown the largest ever in the city as bright fireworks and a light show lit up the sky.

A star-studded concert and dance performances also took place as joyous revellers welcomed in 2025.

LONDON FIREWORKS DISPLAY

London’s City Hall has been “monitoring the weather” ahead of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations after some of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities were cancelled due to bad weather.

But a spokesperson for the city mayor has now confirmed the celebrations will go ahead.

Almost every part of the country is covered by at least one of the multiple Met Office weather warnings until Wednesday, including floods and 70mph winds for some.

A yellow weather warning of heavy rain and snow is currently in force across most of Scotland, while an amber warning for rain is also in place for an area around Inverness.

Stormy conditions are expected to spread to the rest of the UK as the day goes on, with yellow warnings for wind and rain in place for parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed earlier today that local authorities were continuing “to monitor the weather forecast closely”.

Queues are already starting to form across the capital with people ready to usher in the New Year.

You can follow our live blog below for all the latest updates …

  • Queues beginning to form across London

    There are now less than four hours to go until the UK celebrates the New Year with thousands of revellers already queuing up for various events being put on across London.

    It comes as pubs and bars across major cities in Britain have already started to fill up in anticipation of a joyous evening.

    The main traditional fireworks display will come in London as Big Ben strikes midnight and welcomes in 2025.

    Revellers queue up on Whitehall before the New Year’s Eve fireworks
    Revellers queue up on Whitehall before the New Year’s Eve fireworksCredit: LNP
    Thousands have already started to celebrate
    Thousands have already started to celebrateCredit: LNP

  • Dubai celebrates 2025 in style

    The glitzy city of Dubai has wowed onlookers with a mega pyrotechnic display at the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa.

    Fireworks and synchronised water jets all shot into the night sky as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates.

    The mesmerising display saw fireworks shoot out from the Burj Khalifa as the tower was lit up in spectacular colours.

    The words Happy New Year were also projected onto the building in various languages.

    The Burj Khalifa has been lit up with a dazzling display for New Years
    The Burj Khalifa has been lit up with a dazzling display for New YearsCredit: AFP
    Fireworks and synchronised water jets all shot into the night sky as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates
    Fireworks and synchronised water jets all shot into the night sky as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab EmiratesCredit: AFP

  • Brits brave torrid weather to celebrate New Year

    Partygoers are already heading out across the UK as midnight draws closer.

    Weather warnings of high winds and rainy conditions later on this evening have done little to damper the spirits of Brits.

    With thousands already taking over the cities of Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool ahead of New Year.

    New Year revellers are braving the weather in Leeds as they prepare for a night of celebrations
    New Year revellers are braving the weather in Leeds as they prepare for a night of celebrationsCredit: NB PRESS LTD
    Celebrations are also underway in a rainy Liverpool
    Celebrations are also underway in a rainy LiverpoolCredit: London News Pictures
    Partygoers in Birmingham have dressed up for the exciting evening ahead
    Partygoers in Birmingham have dressed up for the exciting evening aheadCredit: SWNS

  • In pictures: joyous displays across India

    The streets of Bangalore, India were packed out with people
    The streets of Bangalore, India were packed out with peopleCredit: EPA
    People flash lights from their phones at a New Year's Eve celebration in Mumbai
    People flash lights from their phones at a New Year’s Eve celebration in MumbaiCredit: Reuters
    A giant light show flashed up the words 'Happy New Year 2025'
    A giant light show flashed up the words ‘Happy New Year 2025’Credit: Reuters
    A couple celebrate the New Year with a romantic gesture
    A couple celebrate the New Year with a romantic gestureCredit: Reuters

  • Pakistan officially welcomes New Year at 7pm – who’s next?

    Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.

    December 31

    • 8pm – Azerbaijan
    • 8.30pm – Iran
    • 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia

  • Birmingham revellers prepare for a big night of New Year celebrations

    Birmingham city centre is starting to fill out with joyous locals who are starting their nights early before 2024 comes to a close in just hours.

    Celebrations across the UK are due to get underway as people flock to bars, pubs and huge events being out on throughout the evening.

    Three ladies pose for a picture in Birmingham city centre
    Three ladies pose for a picture in Birmingham city centreCredit: Alamy
    Two of the woman are donning celebratory glasses welcoming in 2025
    Two of the woman are donning celebratory glasses welcoming in 2025

  • London’s firework extravaganza will go ahead

    The iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks in the capital is set to go ahead as planned at midnight tonight despite serious concerns over the weather.

    A London mayor spokesperson confirmed the event will continue with revellers already preparing for the shift into 2025.

    Ticketholders for the event and the “many millions watching around the world” should be set for “a spectacular night of fireworks from the banks of the Thames to welcome in the new year,” the spokesperson added.

  • Hong Kong officially enters 2025 with largest ever celebrations in the city

    The dazzling city of Hong Kong has celebrated going into the New Year with a huge firework display.

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board called the countdown event on the Victoria Harbour the largest ever in the city.

    A star-studded concert and dance performances also took place as joyous revellers welcomed in 2025.

    Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong Kong
    Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong KongCredit: AFP
    People react to the fireworks in Hong Kong as 2025 gets underway
    People react to the fireworks in Hong Kong as 2025 gets underwayCredit: Reuters
    The show went on for some time with many coming out to celebrate
    The show went on for some time with many coming out to celebrateCredit: AFP

  • In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney

    Here are some images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.

  • Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia officially welcome New Year – who’s next?

    Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.

    December 31

    • 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
    • 6pm – Bangladesh
    • 6.15pm – Nepal
    • 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
    • 7pm – Pakistan
    • 8pm – Azerbaijan
    • 8.30pm – Iran
    • 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
    • 10pm – Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
    • 11pm – Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
    • Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal

  • Hong Kong and China officially welcome New Year – who’s next?

    Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.

    December 31

    • 5pm – Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
    • 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
    • 6pm – Bangladesh
    • 6.15pm – Nepal
    • 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
    • 7pm – Pakistan

  • More events cancelled

    Organisers in Blackpool, Ripon and Isle of Wight have followed Edinburgh and Newcastle in cancelling firework displays while London is “monitoring the weather”.

    You can follow us here for all the latest updates.

  • More bizarre NYE traditions

    Kissing loved ones when the clock strikes twelve may be a little odd, but it is one of the most popular NYE traditions.

    In Puerto Rico, some will dump a bucket of water out the window to drive away evil spirits or sprinkle sugar outside for good luck. Now that’s bizarre.

  • Steve Lamacq receives MBE in New Year’s Honours list – but what is it?

    The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, with New Year’s Day being marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours.

    Among those being honoured this year are Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, Gareth Southgate, former manager of the England national football team, and broadcaster and former NME journalist Steve Lamacq, pictured below with Noel Gallagher.

    Lamacq, who hosts a Monday afternoon music show on BBC Radio 6 Music, has been nominated with an MBE for his services to broadcasting and music venues.

    Credit: BBC

  • Crowds gather in Whitehall ahead of London’s fireworks display

    Revellers have already begun gathering in Whitehall ahead of tonight’s fireworks display in London.

    Here are some of the latest images from the capital.

    Credit: ALAMY

  • Hong Kong prepares for 2025

    Here are some great pictures of children and families in Hong Kong at the weekend, attending the city’s Winter Carnival 2024.

    The carnival celebrates the last weekend of the year.

    Hong Kong will officially welcome in 2025 in 90 minutes.

    Credit: GETTY

  • Japan officially welcomes New Year at 3pm – who’s next?

    Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.

    December 31

    • 3.15pm – Western Australia (Perth and Eucla)
    • 4pm – China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore
    • 5pm – Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
    • 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
    • 6pm – Bangladesh
    • 6.15pm – Nepal
    • 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
    • 7pm – Pakistan
    • 8pm – Azerbaijan
    • 8.30pm – Iran
    • 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
    • 10pm – Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
    • 11pm – Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
    • Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal

  • In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney

    Here are some more images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.

    Credit: GETTY
    Credit: GETTY

  • In pictures: Sydney Harbour and Opera House in 2025

    Here’s the latest image from Australia, taken at 00.02 local time.

    Credit: GETTY

  • G’day to New Year – Australia welcomes 2025

    Australia has officially welcomed in New Year 2025.

    We’ll have all the latest images from the dazzling fireworks display in Sydney but in the meantime, here are some from earlier at 9pm local time.

    .
    .Credit: REUTERS

  • London prepares for New Year’s Eve celebrations

    Here are the latest images coming in from central London ahead of tonight’s planned fireworks display.

    Credit: george cracknell wright

  • Brighton rocked

    Waves have been photographed crashing onto Brighton seafront by the pier today as stormy weather has caused many New Year’s Eve firework displays to be cancelled across the country, including Newcastle (see post at 11.20) and Edinburgh (11.06).

    Credit: ALAMy/simon dack

  • Owners of London’s famous bridges issue New Year’s Eve safety plea

    The City Bridge Foundation, which is responsible for five Thames crossings, including Tower Bridge and London Bridge, are urging revellers to avoid the areas tonight.

    In a statement on X, below, they are urging people to stay safe and find a more suitable spot to watch the fireworks display.

  • Welcome to The Sun’s New Year’s blog

    If you’re just joining us, we’ll be running a live blog throughout today as countries begin to enter 2025.

    We’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments from the UK and around the world.

    Already New Zealand has been celebrating with an elaborate fireworks display while revellers in Sydney – which will welcome 2025 in two hours– have been treated to an early event to allow families to attend the spectacle.

    In the UK, officials in Newcastle have been forced to cancel a fireworks display at the Quayside over concerns about the weather.

    We’ll keep you updated here with all the latest news from around the world.

  • In pictures – more spectacular images from Sydney

    Here are some additional images arriving from news agencies in Sydney. Think they’re having a good time?

    Credit: GETTY
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