It wasn't just about opening champagne bottles on New Year's Eve; it was also a time to look back on the bad things that happened in the past year and hope for the good things that will happen in the future.
Sydney's harbor in Australia was the site of one of the world's most famous fireworks displays. But this year, the event meant more than it did last year. A terrible attack at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration just a few weeks earlier, on December 14, killed 15 people and shocked the whole country. It was Australia's deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years, and it brought back sad memories of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
“We can't let fear win.
As we enter 2026, these short stories from all over the world remind us of how strong people are. The world moved forward together, bringing lessons from the past into an uncertain future, whether through loud protests or quiet vigils. New Year's Eve was a bright spot in a year full of natural disasters, war, and bloodshed. It made people think that maybe better days are on the way if they stand up for themselves and love each other.
Resilience in Sydney After Tragedy
The police responded by making security even stronger. Police officers walked through the crowd with guns slung over their shoulders. This was a shocking and different look for an event that is usually fun.
Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales, talked to the public in the days leading up to the event and asked them to come out in large numbers. He said at a press conference, "We can't let fear win." "These extremists want us to stay home, and that's what we should do." Let's all stand together and show that we won't give up.
As midnight drew closer, the mood was both tense and exciting. About 1.5 million people crowded around the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to watch. There was a minute of silence an hour before midnight to remember the people who died in the Bondi incident.
The crowd, which included both locals and tourists, held up signs to show their support for Australia's Jewish community. People used their phone flashlights to light up a lot of the signs.
When the clock struck zero, the sky exploded with a shower of reds, blues, and golds that all went off at once. The fireworks were about coming together and starting over. They included one-of-a-kind drone light shows that made shapes like hearts and olive trees. People who were having fun clapped, hugged strangers, and sang along to pop songs that were blasting from speakers. "It's bittersweet," said Sarah Thompson, a 45-year-old teacher from Melbourne. We are here to honor the dead and celebrate life at the same time. This is how we show that we are stronger when we work as a team.
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New York Celebrates Amid Cold and Patriotism
In New York City, which is halfway around the world, the cold of winter couldn't bring down the mood in Times Square. The temperature dropped to the low 20s Fahrenheit (-6 Celsius), but that didn't stop hundreds of thousands of people from putting on coats, scarves, and festive hats to watch the ball drop.
The crystal-covered sphere, which weighs more than 12,000 pounds, has been a symbol of hope for the New Year since 1907. There are more than 5,000 Waterford crystals on it. This year, it meant even more because the U.S. will turn 250 years old in July.
At midnight, the ball fell down and was showered with confetti. Then it rose again, shining in red, white, and blue colors to celebrate the country's 250th birthday.
Before the event, there was a lot of music and fun. Before the countdown, Australian singer Tones and I sang a moving version of John Lennon's "Imagine." The neon-lit canyon of buildings echoed her voice.
Safety was the most important thing here. Jessica Tisch, the head of the NYPD, talked about new safety measures, like more patrols and mobile screening teams. "This isn't about a specific threat," she said in a meeting. "It's about being ready for anything in a world that isn't sure."
Rio's Vibrant Beach Celebration and Global Traditions
Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro became a sea of people in white. In Brazil, the color white is a traditional color that means peace and wealth. More than two million people danced down more than four kilometers of golden sand to live music from samba legends and pop stars.
Even though the tides were high and the fireworks barges were moving around, the 12-minute fireworks show went off without a hitch. The green, yellow, and blue lights that bounced off the water and the famous Christ the Redeemer statue that looks over the city lit up the night.
In Dubai, the parties were way too much. A light show on the Persian Gulf that had jet skis doing flips blew people's minds. The Burj Khalifa was a big screen for projections that showed how the world is connected. People gasped when fireworks fell from the tallest building in the world.
The parties in Europe included both old and new traditions. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris became the center of attention when the countdown to 2026 was shown on its famous stone front. People along the Champs-Élysées avenue cheered as fireworks lit up the Eiffel Tower.
Somber Moments and Calls for Peace
Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro became a sea of people in white. In Brazil, the color white is a traditional color that means peace and wealth. More than two million people danced down more than four kilometers of golden sand to live music from samba legends and pop stars.
Even though the tides were high and the fireworks barges were moving around, the 12-minute fireworks show went off without a hitch. The green, yellow, and blue lights that bounced off the water and the famous Christ the Redeemer statue that looks over the city lit up the night.
In Dubai, the parties were way too much. A light show on the Persian Gulf that had jet skis doing flips blew people's minds. The Burj Khalifa was a big screen for projections that showed how the world is connected. People gasped when fireworks fell from the tallest building in the world.
The parties in Europe included both old and new traditions. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris became the center of attention when the countdown to 2026 was shown on its famous stone front. People along the Champs-Élysées avenue cheered as fireworks lit up the Eiffel Tower.
A Shared Hope for a Better Future
Taissiya Girda, 27, from Kazakhstan, said what a lot of people were thinking: "After all the chaos in the world, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, I just want peace." Everyone is happy now, and there is no more fighting. People from all over the world heard her words as a cry for help.
A letter from Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican to Rome on New Year's Eve asked the Eternal City to welcome immigrants and those who are weak. "Let's build bridges in a world of walls," he said, and his voice could be heard over the fireworks that lit up the Colosseum.
People from London gathered around the London Eye, where a huge wheel turned in a symphony of lights and sounds. Hogmanay brought street parties to Edinburgh, Scotland. John Swinney, the First Minister, used the song "Auld Lang Syne" by Robert Burns to ask people to be nice to each other. "Help a neighbor and smile," he said. "Let's get the year off to a good start."
Even in the most peaceful places, things were changing. Greece and Cyprus got rid of the loud fireworks in Athens and Nicosia and replaced them with quieter ones so that families with kids and pet owners could join in. A Greek official said, "It's about making sure everyone is included." "The noise shouldn't make anyone feel like they are missing out."
Red Square in Moscow was covered in snow, but thousands of people still went to concerts and light shows even though it was very cold. As the Kremlin clock struck midnight, families raised their glasses of vodka and hoped for warmer days ahead, both literally and figuratively, as tensions between countries grew.
David Martinez
World Affairs Reporter
David Martinez is a world affairs journalist with expertise in international relations, conflict reporting, and global humanitarian issues. He has reported from conflict zones and has an eye for the political dynamics of international crises.
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