New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around the World

A kaleidoscope of fireworks designed by Marc Newson explode over the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the first New Year's celebration of 2012. Over one and a half million Sydneysiders lined the harbour vantage points to watch the spectacular pyrotechnic display.

Torsten Blackwood / AFP-Getty Images

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-beijing-china_cvbyrp

People gather to celebrate the new year 2012 at the illuminated Temple of Heaven, the city's historic landmark in Beijing.

Liu Jin / AFP-Getty Images

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-colombo-sri-lanka-ceremony_sfqjuw

A Sri Lankan traditional dancer performs in Colombo on December 31. The ceremony was conducted to ward off bad spirits in the 2012.

Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP-Getty Images

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-manila-philippines_goys6s

Confetti drops as a Filipino blows his paper horn as they welcome the New Year at Manila's Rizal Park, Philippines. More than 200 people have been injured by illegal firecrackers and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines despite a government scare campaign against reckless New Year revelries, officials recently said.

Aaron Favila / AP

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-dhaka-bangladesh_od9ltx

Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi people celebrate the New Year in the old part of Dhaka.

Monirul Alam / ZUMA

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-dublin-ireland_onmhmy

Fire Juggler Zoe Browne from Bui Bolg productions entertains crowds gathered at a concert to celebrate the new year in College Green, Dublin.

Julien Behal / PA-Landov

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-manila_h5ejpc

Women use sparklers to draw "2012" for photographers, in front of a house, as they celebrate New Years Eve in Manila.

Romeo Ranoco / Reuters-Landov

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-lahore-pakistan_qe0xg5

Pakistani Christians hold candles for peace on New Year eve celebrations in Lahore.

Arif Ali / AFP-Getty Images

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-bangkok-thailand_gtrlu8

Buddhist monks walk past Thais waiting for a mass prayer to begin as part of a New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand.

Apichart Weerawong / AP

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-berlin_ssjmzg

Visitors crowd in front of a stage erected in front of Berlin's landmark the Brandenburg Gate for one of the country's biggest New Year's parties.

Odd Andersen / AFP-Getty Images

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-newcastle-england_manc1k

Performers take part in a parade through Northumberland Street, Newcastle.

Owen Humphreys / PA-Landov

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-tokyo-japan_jqlrsw

Ayano rings in the New Year at Sensoji temple in the Asakusa district in Tokyo.

Hiro Komae / AP

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-kuala-lumpur-malaysia_xzhdxx

Fireworks explode near Malaysia's landmark, Petronas Towers, which are reflected in a pool during the New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad Yusni / EPA-Landov

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-colombo-sri-lanka_qftwyl

Young Sri Lankan boys play with firecrackers on the eve of the New Year, as the sun sets in Colombo.

Eranga Jayawardena / AP

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world-dorset-england_ancjw0

A 2011 sign written in the sand on the beach at Bournemouth, Dorset, waits to be washed away as the New Year approaches.

Chris Ison / PA-Landov

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-2012-times-square-cheat_m7xdb0

Samantha Mulhaul, left, and her cousin Stephanie Pignataro, center, and friend Haley Meltcher, all of New York state, take a picture of themselves shortly before midnight as they take part in the New Year's Eve festivities in Times Square, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in New York.

Tina Fineberg / AP Photo

galleries/2011/12/31/new-years-eve-celebrations-around-the-world/new-years-eve-2012-times-square-box_kv4xmm

Samantha Rhodes, center, and Samantha Mitchell, of North Port, Fl., cheer during the New Year's Eve celebration in New York's Times Square.

Mary Altaffer / AP Photo

New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around the World

The world rang in 2012 with fireworks, Champagne, and dazzling light displays. See photos from around the globe.