Video: New Year celebrations around the world
From London to Rio, millions around the world celebrated when the clock ticked past midnight, ringing in 2015 with massive fireworks displays, concerts and light shows.
A dazzling display of fireworks lit up Sydney Harbour on Thursday as Australia’s biggest city welcomed the New Year in spectacular style.
In Sydney, fireworks exploded over the harbor watched by a crowd estimated at more than one million.
Millions partied across Asia, with Hong Kong’s dazzling skyline along Victoria Harbour lit up during an eight-minute pyrotechnic display.
In China, Beijing’s bid to stage the 2022 Winter Olympics was the theme of celebrations. Concert pianist Lang Lang was the star performer at an extravaganza at Olympic Park.
In Taiwan the landmark skyscraper Taipei 101 was at the center of celebrations, with performances by pop singers and a firework display at midnight.
And in Japan, the Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo brought out stocks of lucky charms and set up large offertory boxes as it prepared to welcome a huge wave of worshippers.
Dubai dazzled with a pyrotechnic and lights show at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower.
In Paris, the Champs-Elysees was reserved for pedestrians to let them watch a visual spectacle projected onto the Arc de Triomphe 15 minutes before the start of the New Year.
London staged New Year’s Eve fireworks along the Thames and Edinburgh held its traditional Hogmanay street party.
Marking 2015 on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, more than two million people were expected to attend the huge fireworks show.
And in New York about one million revelers descended on Times Square to watch the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
