In pictures: Stunning firework displays as New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off around the world

The year is drawing to a close around the world, and pictures of wild celebrations are emerging as populations say goodbye to 2024.

The past year has seen the global population hit around 8.2 billion, an Olympic Games in Paris watched by 5 billion people, and the continuation of wars in Europe and the Middle East.

It has also seen billions of people take to the polls in elections across 73 countries, from Madagascar to India, the United Kingdom to the United States.

But tonight is a night of celebration for many as bottles are popped open to see the start of the millennium’s 26th year.

And with it comes the chance - or the pressure - to finally get started with those long-delayed resolutions.

Here are all the pictures from New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the globe as they come in.

New Zealand

Auckland, on New Zealand’s north island, welcomes in 2025 with a fireworks display at Sky Tower (1News)

Australia

There had been fears the Sydney fireworks would be cancelled due to train strikes (AFP/Getty)

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House (AFP/Getty)

Revellers turned out in large numbers to witness Melbourne’s New Year celebrations (Getty)

Japan

A projection was displayed on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building as Japan welcomed in 2025 (Reuters)

People in Japan react joyfully following the countdown to the end of 2024 (Reuters)

South Korea

A light display in Seoul welcomes in 2025, after a difficult end to the year in South Korea (AP)

Taiwan

Fireworks light up the Taiwan skyline (Getty)

Philippines

Fireworks explode over the Rockwell Center in Manila (Getty)

A reveller celebrates the New Year with firecrackers in Mandaluyong City (Reuters)

China

Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong (AFP/Getty)

People release balloons into the air to celebrate the New Year in Wuhan (Getty)

Malayasia

Fireworks go off over the Petronas Twin Tower during celebrations in Kuala Lumpur (AFP/Getty)

Thailand

The Bangkok skyline disappears behind firework blasts (Reuters)

Indonesia

People gathered for festivities outside the Bundaran Hotel in Jakarta (EPA)

Vietnam

Fireworks illuminate the sky over Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi (EPA)

Sri Lanka

Fireworks burst over Colombo’s port (AFP/Getty)

India

Revellers welcome the New year in Mumbai (Reuters)

A crowd lines the street in Bangalore as the city enters 2025 (EPA)

Pakistan

Fireworks welcome the New Year in Karachi (AFP/Getty)

Paris

(AP)

Berlin

Fireworks burst as people gather for New Year's celebrations in Berlin (REUTERS)

London

Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye (PA Wire)