New Year 2026: New Zealand rings in style with Sky Tower lights; see global celebrations and timings

Happy New Year 2026: As the world gets ready to welcome 2026, New Zealand is among the first countries to step into the New Year. Auckland celebrated with a grand fireworks show from the famous Sky Tower, lighting up the city skyline.

The Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest building, was the main attraction. Thousands of people gathered to watch a five-minute display featuring around 3,500 fireworks launched from different levels of the tower. While Auckland celebrated in style, several smaller events across the North Island were cancelled due to rain and possible thunderstorms.

Although New Zealand is one of the earliest, the Chatham Islands welcome the New Year even before the mainland. Globally, the first place to ring in 2026 is Kiritimati Island in Kiribati, located in the UTC+14 time zone.


As midnight moves across time zones, countries from Australia to India, Europe, the Americas and finally remote Pacific islands celebrate the New Year over nearly 24 hours.

When the world welcomes the New Year (IST Timings)

New Zealand – 4:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

Australia (East Coast) – 6:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

Japan, South Korea & North Korea – 8:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

China, Hong Kong & Taiwan – 9:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

Thailand – 10:30 PM IST (Dec 31)

India & Sri Lanka – 12:00 AM IST (Midnight)

Russia (Moscow) – 2:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Ukraine – 3:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Germany, France, Spain, Italy & Switzerland – 4:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

UK, Portugal & Ghana – 5:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Brazil & Argentina – 8:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

US (East Coast) – 10:30 AM IST (Jan 1)

Last places to welcome the New Year

The final locations to enter 2026 are American Samoa and the Baker and Howland Islands in the UTC-12 time zone.