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
Image:Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2019
:: Sydney, Australia
Image:The city’s Harbour Bridge is the focal point for the pyrotechnic extravaganzaImage:The New Year’s Eve fireworks in the shadow of the Sydney Opera HouseImage:More than a million are estimated to have turned out for the Sydney display
:: Pyongyang, North Korea
Image:Pyongyang held a concert before the fireworks lit up the sky
:: Seoul, South Korea
Image:Thousands gathered to enjoy new year celebrations in Seoul, South KoreaImage:A woman celebrates the New Year at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea
:: Marina Bay, Singapore
Image:Marina Bay is one of Singapore’s main attractionsImage:Fireworks over Marina Bay in SingaporeImage:New Year celebrations in full swing at Marina Bay, Singapore
:: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Image:Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour during New Year celebrations in Hong KongImage:Fireworks in Hong Kong
:: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Image:Fireworks explode near Petronas Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
:: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Image:Fireworks illuminate skyline of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
:: Tokyo, Japan
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
:: Bangkok, Thailand
Image:Fireworks light up the sky above Bangkok in ThailandImage:Tourists and locals watch fireworks as they attend the New Year’s countdown party in Bangkok, Thailand
:: Yangon, Myanmar
Image:Fireworks explode over the city during New Year celebrations in Yangon
:: Chennai, India
Image:Indian youth welcome the New Year as they celebrate at a residential area in Chennai
:: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Image:A young woman holds a sparkler during New Year’s celebrations in Colombo, Sri LankaImage:Children in Colombo, Sri Lanka get ready to welcome 2019
:: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Image:Pakistanis watch the fireworks display during the New Year celebrations in RawalpindI
:: Quezon City, Philippines
Image:Celebrations in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
:: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Image:Fireworks explode over the Burj Al Arab hotel during the New Year celebrations in Dubai
:: Baghdad, Iraq
Image:Fireworks burst above the Baghdad Tower in the Iraqi capital
:: Moscow, Russia
Image:Moscow’s Red Square is lit up with fireworksImage:Fireworks over the Kremlin in Moscow
:: Athens, Greece
Image:Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece
:: Beirut, Lebanon
Image:Fireworks explode over downtown Beirut, Lebanon
:: Berlin, Germany
Image:Fireworks explode over the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
:: Paris, France
Image:Fireworks are seen at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France
:: London, UK
Image:The London Eye was the focal point for London’s celebrations
:: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image:Copacabana Beach was the focal point for festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
:: New York, USA
Image:People braved the rain to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square, New York
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