New Zealand, Australia, and surrounding Pacific Islands were among the first places to ring in 2018 with fireworks displays, parties, and other festivities. Nearly 1.5 million people gathered to watch a rainbow fireworks display above Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and opera house.
New Year Celebrations Around the World
![People celebrate as confetti falls down after the countdown to midnight in Times Square, Jan. 1, 2018, in New York.](https://gdb.voanews.com/e55d1def-2911-4359-9657-442c359c23f4_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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People celebrate as confetti falls down after the countdown to midnight in Times Square, Jan. 1, 2018, in New York.
![Fireworks light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during new year celebrations on Sydney Harbour, Australia, Jan. 1, 2018.](https://gdb.voanews.com/efd42e30-7d2c-4c19-bb82-4a05e85534fb_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Fireworks light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during new year celebrations on Sydney Harbour, Australia, Jan. 1, 2018.
![Residents in fox masks participate in the Oji Fox parade to thank the outgoing and welcome the incoming year at the Oji Inari shrine in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 1, 2018.](https://gdb.voanews.com/e8c7c866-76f6-4937-b0be-2169310a07b1_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Residents in fox masks participate in the Oji Fox parade to thank the outgoing and welcome the incoming year at the Oji Inari shrine in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 1, 2018.
![Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to celebrate the New Year, Jan. 1, 2018.](https://gdb.voanews.com/212d9235-5f55-4540-bce4-d2bdb45052c2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to celebrate the New Year, Jan. 1, 2018.