Countdown to midnight! Here is a list of first and last countries to mark the New Year.
Eight of the atolls that make up the Line Islands are Kiribati including Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and this nation in Oceania is the first to welcome the New Year globally. The islanders commemorate the occasion with traditional Polynesian dances, church services, and communal feasts.
The Chatham Islands, situated 680 km southeast of New Zealand’s mainland, are the second to celebrate the New Year. This small community, with a population of less than 700, engages in a fusion of Maori and Kiwi traditions, including local gatherings and fireworks displays.
Auckland and Wellington are among the initial major urban centers to usher in the New Year. Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower becomes the focal point for spectacular fireworks display. Beaches, parks, and waterfronts come alive with music festivals, dance parties, and cultural events, making this celebration an unforgettable experience for both locals and tourists.
These uninhabited islands in the Pacific Ocean, southeast of Hawaii, technically mark the last locations on Earth to enter the New Year.
American Samoa is the second last to welcome 2025, concludes the year with lively celebrations, featuring traditional Samoan dances, feasts, and fireworks that illuminate the night.
Known as the Rock of Polynesia, Niue is a diminutive island nation, with an association with New Zealand, that welcomes the New Year second last, along with American Samoa. The celebration takes place within the close community, where residents partake in local feasts and traditional songs.