Australia welcomes 2023 with Sydney harbour fireworks display
By Jasmine Andersson & Chris Giles
BBC News
New year celebrations have been in full flow as the world welcomed in 2023.
The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first to see in the new year, followed by New Zealand an hour later – and thousands gathered in Sydney for the Australian city’s renowned fireworks display.
Later, as the new year swept west through Europe, Africa and the Americas, more cities celebrated with large crowds, fireworks, concerts and parties.
Here are some of the best pictures from around the world.
Image source, Reuters
In Bangkok, Thailand, fireworks explode over Wat Arun Buddhist temple
Image source, Reuters
A man and a child celebrate together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Image source, Reuters
People in Wuhan, China, release balloons as they gather to celebrate amid a rise of Covid-19 cases in the country
Image source, BIANCA DE MARCHI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Sydney’s fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge, Opera House and barges in its famous harbour
Image source, Reuters
London’s fireworks display was watched by a crowd of 100,000 from the banks of the River Thames
Image source, PA Media
Fireworks lit up the sky behind Edinburgh Castle during the city’s first full Hogmanay celebrations in three years
Image source, EPA
In Paris, a light and fireworks show was displayed on the Arc de Triomphe as revellers gathered on the Champs-Elysees
Image source, Reuters
In Russia, people gather in central Moscow. The authorities closed the city’s famous Red Square, citing Covid restrictions while increasing the police presence in the area
Image source, Reuters
In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a family gathers next to a Christmas tree to celebrate the new year before a curfew, amid Russia’s attacks on the country
Image source, EPA
The sky over the temple of Parthenon atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece
Image source, Reuters
In Dubai, Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world – was the focus of United Arab Emirates’s celebrations
Image source, Reuters
Joyful faces in Quezon City, near to Manila in the Philippines, as people record the turn of the year
Image source, Getty Images
Locals of Mathare, one of Kenya’s poorest settlements, hold a mass to welcome the new year in Nairobi, Kenya
Image source, Getty Images
A woman eats grapes in Madrid, a new year tradition in Spain
Image source, Reuters
People gather to celebrate the clocks turning midnight in Seoul, South Korea
Image source, Reuters
Revellers release balloons as they take part in celebrations in Tokyo, Japan
Image source, Reuters
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate in Hong Kong
Image source, Getty Images
In Taiwan, fireworks light up the skyline from the Taipei 101 building
Image source, Reuters
A person wears festive glasses during the Times Square celebrations
Image source, Reuters
Confetti flies around the countdown clock in Times Square as New York welcomes 2023
Image source, Reuters
An estimated two million people watched the fireworks fill the sky over Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
People in Acapulco, Mexico, have also been celebrating with fireworks which illuminated the night sky during new year celebrations
