PICTURES: Auckland first big city to show off its fireworks for 2019

In pictures: Dazzling fireworks as the world welcomes in 2019
In pictures: Dazzling fireworks as the world welcomes in 2019

NEW ZEALAND

By Middleton Prince

The first big city to show off its fireworks for 2019 was Auckland in New Zealand, then a few hours later came a dazzling show over Sydney harbour.

It takes 26 hours for everywhere in the world to step into the New Year – here are some of the best pictures of the celebrations.

 Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2019
Image:Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2019

:: Sydney, Australia

The city's Harbour Bridge is the focal point for the pyrotechnic extravaganza
Image:The city’s Harbour Bridge is the focal point for the pyrotechnic extravaganza
The New Year's Eve fireworks over Sydney Opera House.
Image:The New Year’s Eve fireworks in the shadow of the Sydney Opera House
More than a million are estimated to have turned out for the Sydney display
Image:More than a million are estimated to have turned out for the Sydney display

:: Pyongyang, North Korea

Pyongyang held a concert before the fireworks lit up the sky
Image:Pyongyang held a concert before the fireworks lit up the sky

:: Seoul, South Korea

Thousands gathered to enjoy new year celebrations in Seoul, South Korea
Image:Thousands gathered to enjoy new year celebrations in Seoul, South Korea
A woman celebrates the New Year at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea
Image:A woman celebrates the New Year at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea

:: Marina Bay, Singapore

Marina Bay is one of Singapore's main attractions
Image:Marina Bay is one of Singapore’s main attractions
Fireworks over Marina Bay in Singapore
Image:Fireworks over Marina Bay in Singapore
New year's celebrations in full swing at Marina Bay, Singapore
Image:New Year celebrations in full swing at Marina Bay, Singapore

:: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour during New Year celebrations in Hong Kong
Image:Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour during New Year celebrations in Hong Kong
Fireworks in Hong Kong
Image:Fireworks in Hong Kong

:: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fireworks explode near Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia January 1, 2019. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin
Image:Fireworks explode near Petronas Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

:: Yogyakarta, Indonesia

YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA - JANUARY 01: Fireworks illuminate the city's skyline during New Year's Eve celebrations of 2018 on January 1, 2019 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Image:Fireworks illuminate skyline of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

:: Tokyo, Japan

The traditional Oji Fox Parade, which tells a story of how foxes from all over the Kanto region would gather beneath a large tree on New Year's Eve in the area where Tokyo now stands
Image:The traditional Oji Fox Parade, which tells a story of how foxes from all over the Kanto region would gather beneath a large tree on New Year’s Eve in the area where Tokyo now stands
The traditional Oji Fox Parade, which tells a story of how foxes from all over the Kanto region would gather beneath a large tree on New Year's Eve in the area where Tokyo now stands

:: Bangkok, Thailand

Fireworks light up the sky above Bangkok in Thailand
Image:Fireworks light up the sky above Bangkok in Thailand
Tourists and locals watch fireworks as they attend the New Year's countdown party in Bangkok, Thailand, December 31, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
Image:Tourists and locals watch fireworks as they attend the New Year’s countdown party in Bangkok, Thailand

:: Yangon, Myanmar

Fireworks explode over the city during New Year celebrations in Yangon on January 1, 2019. (Photo by YE AUNG THU / AFP) (Photo credit should read YE AUNG THU/AFP/Getty Images)
Image:Fireworks explode over the city during New Year celebrations in Yangon
Fireworks explode over the city during New Year celebrations in Yangon on January 1, 2019. (Photo by YE AUNG THU / AFP) (Photo credit should read YE AUNG THU/AFP/Getty Images)

:: Chennai, India

Indian youth welcome the New Year as they celebrate at a residential area in Chennai on January 1, 2019. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read ARUN SANKAR/AFP/Getty Images)
Image:Indian youth welcome the New Year as they celebrate at a residential area in Chennai
Indian youth welcome the New Year as they celebrate at a residential area in Chennai on January 1, 2019. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read ARUN SANKAR/AFP/Getty Images)

:: Colombo, Sri Lanka

A young woman holds a sparkler during New Year's celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 1, 2019. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)
Image:A young woman holds a sparkler during New Year’s celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka
A child holds a sparkler during New Year's celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 1, 2019. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)
Image:Children in Colombo, Sri Lanka get ready to welcome 2019

:: Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Pakistanis watch the fireworks display during the New Year celebrations in Rawalpindi on January 1, 2019. (Photo by FAROOQ NAEEM / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP/Getty Images)
Image:Pakistanis watch the fireworks display during the New Year celebrations in RawalpindI
Pakistanis watch the fireworks display during the New Year celebrations in Rawalpindi on January 1, 2019. (Photo by FAROOQ NAEEM / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP/Getty Images)

:: Quezon City, Philippines

Revellers celebrate at a New Year's Eve party in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, December 31, 2018. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
Revellers celebrate at a New Year's Eve party in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, December 31, 2018. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
Revellers celebrate at a New Year's Eve party in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, December 31, 2018. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
Image:Celebrations in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

:: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Fireworks explode over the Burj Al Arab hotel during the New Year celebrations in Dubai
Image:Fireworks explode over the Burj Al Arab hotel during the New Year celebrations in Dubai

:: Baghdad, Iraq

Fireworks burst above the Baghdad Tower in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on January 1, 2019 as Iraqis welcome the New Year when the tower was also opened again after its closure in 2003 during entry of US forces to Baghdad
Image:Fireworks burst above the Baghdad Tower in the Iraqi capital

:: Moscow, Russia

Fireworks explode in the sky during New Year celebrations in Moscow's Red Square, Russia January 1, 2019
Image:Moscow’s Red Square is lit up with fireworks
People look at fireworks exploding over the Kremlin in Moscow during New Year celebrations, on January 1, 2019
Image:Fireworks over the Kremlin in Moscow

:: Athens, Greece

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's day celebrations in Athens, Greece, January 1, 2019
Image:Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece

:: Beirut, Lebanon

Fireworks explode over downtown Beirut, Lebanon, during New Year's celebrations on January 1, 2019
Image:Fireworks explode over downtown Beirut, Lebanon

:: Berlin, Germany

Fireworks explode over the Quadriga sculpture atop the Brandenburg gate during New Year celebrations in Berlin, Germany, January 1, 2019
Image:Fireworks explode over the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

:: Paris, France

Fireworks are seen at the Arc de Triomphe during New Year's celebrations in Paris, France, January 1, 2019
Image:Fireworks are seen at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France

:: London, UK

Fireworks explode over The London Eye and Elizabeth Tower near Parliament as thousands of revelers gather along the banks of the River Thames to ring in the New Year on January 1, 2019 in London, England. Parliament confirmed that after being silenced for renovation work since 2017, Big Ben's famous bongs would ring out at midnight again to welcome in 2019
Image:The London Eye was the focal point for London’s celebrations
Fireworks explode over The London Eye and Elizabeth Tower near Parliament as thousands of revelers gather along the banks of the River Thames to ring in the New Year on January 1, 2019 in London, England
Fireworks explode over The London Eye and Elizabeth Tower near Parliament as thousands of revelers gather along the banks of the River Thames to ring in the New Year on January 1, 2019 in London, England. Parliament confirmed that after being silenced for renovation work since 2017, Big Ben's famous bongs would ring out at midnight again to welcome in 2019

:: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

People watch as fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil January 1, 2019
Image:Copacabana Beach was the focal point for festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

:: New York, USA

People celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., December 31, 2018
Image:People braved the rain to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square, New York

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