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
![The ball drops during the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, Dec. 31, 2017, in New York.](https://gdb.voanews.com/de3fd869-6dbc-4d65-a8b1-71152abacd47_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The ball drops during the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, Dec. 31, 2017, in New York.
![Confetti drops over the crowd as the clock strikes midnight during the New Year's celebration in Times Square as seen from the Marriott Marquis in New York, Jan. 1, 2018.](https://gdb.voanews.com/d1b3d0f4-40e4-453b-9ee3-c429a06dd807_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Confetti drops over the crowd as the clock strikes midnight during the New Year's celebration in Times Square as seen from the Marriott Marquis in New York, Jan. 1, 2018.
![New York City police officers are seen on Times Square in New York, Dec. 31, 2017, during a New Year's Eve celebration.](https://gdb.voanews.com/48f4a8b7-fae5-4ebb-acd6-7710e65020fe_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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New York City police officers are seen on Times Square in New York, Dec. 31, 2017, during a New Year's Eve celebration.
![Sheep graze as the full moon, known as the "Super Pink Moon", sets behind Stonehenge stone circle near Amesbury, Britain.](https://gdb.voanews.com/a5ba41d0-2383-4967-b2eb-c9e2924af6f7_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Sheep graze as the full moon, known as the "Super Pink Moon", sets behind Stonehenge stone circle near Amesbury, Britain.