Kiribati, a small island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, is the first country in the world to ring in the New Year. It has multiple time zones but one island in the nation, the island of Kiritimati to be precise, is 8.5 hours ahead of India and 14 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). So when it is midnight in Kiritimati, it is 3.30 pm the previous day in India.
Because of the International Date Line, different countries celebrate New Year at different times spanning minutes to hours. When India celebrates it at midnight, many of its counterparts have either already celebrated it or are gearing up for the gala festivities. Take a look.
Countries that will Celebrate New Year Ahead of India (When it's 12 am IST)
- Kiribati (8.30 am on Jan 1)
- Samoa and Tonga (7.30 am on Jan 1)
- New Zealand (7.30 am on January 1)
- Russia and Fiji (6.30 am on January 1)
- Australia (5.30 am on January 1)
- Papua New Guinea (4.30 am on January 1)
- Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea ( 1.30 am on January 1)
- China, Malaysia and Singapore (2.30 am on January 1)
- Vietnam and Thailand ( 1.30 am on January 1)
- Myanmar (1 am on January 1)
- Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Bhutan ( 12.30 am on January 1)
- Nepal (12.15 am on January 1)
- India and Sri Lanka ( 3.30 pm on December 31)
Kiribati
Kiribati, a small island nation made up of 30 islands in the Micronesia subregion of Oceania in the central Pacific Ocean, will be the first nation to ring in 2025.
Samoa and Tonga
These South Pacific nations follow Kiribati in welcoming the New Year with cultural performances, beach parties and spectacular fireworks.
New Zealand
The Kiwis celebrate New Year's Eve with Auckland’s Sky Tower and Wellington’s waterfront sports that attract a huge crowd. The sky wears a new look with dazzling fireworks.
Russia and Fiji
Some parts of Russia, with the maximum time zones, celebrate followed by New Year with Fiji, an island nation on the Pacific Ocean. Gala dinners with bemusing fireworks and beach festivities accompany the events.
Australia
Few would have missed the pictures of the grand fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia which rings in every New Year with lively events like family barbeques and street parties.
Papua New Guinea
Traditional music and dances, reflecting the rich cultural heritage, dominate the New Year celebratory events of this island nation in the north of Australia.
Indonesia, Japan, North Korea and South Korea
These countries celebrate the New Year around the same time. While the Japanese chime temple bells and prepare special foods to be savoured with families, Koreans prefer to relish local dishes at family gatherings. In Indonesia, streets come alive as cities adorn festive look.
China, Malaysia and Singapore
The people of these three countries love spending quality time with their near and dear ones sharing festive meals.
Vietnam and Thailand
The neighbouring countries dazzle with street parties, music, lanterns and traditional foods to greet the New Year.
Myanmar
Prayers at Pagoda accompanied by cultural events mark the New Year in Myanmar as it has a deep route with spirituality and tradition.
Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Bhutan
They celebrate the incoming year a little ahead of India with cultural amusements, feasts and grand fireworks.
Nepal
India's northern neighbour at the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal welcomes New Year with family dining, temple visits and traditional music, a unique mix of spirituality and festivity.
India and Sri Lanka
India and its neighbouring Sri Lanka celebrate New Year with parties, prayers for prosperity and good health, late-night strolls and backside fireworks.
These Countries will Follow India (When it's 12 am IST)
- Pakistan (11.30 pm on December 31)
- Uzbekistan (11.30 pm on December 31)
- Tajikistan (11.30 pm on December 31)
- Maldives (11.30 pm on December 31)
- Afghanistan (11 pm on December 31)
- UAE (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Azerbaijan (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Oman (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Georgia (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Armenia (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Mauritius (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Reunion (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Seychelles (10.30 pm on December 31)
- Iran (10 pm on December 31)
- Ethiopia (9.30 pm on December 31)
- Turkey (9.30 pm on December 31)
People cutting across national, regional and cultural identities are all set to plunge into the New Year's Eve celebrations on the last day of the outgoing year 2024. Major cities are getting decked up for big events to be held on the intervening nights of the two years.
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