New Year's Eve 2026
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New Year's Eve 2026 falls on Thursday, December 31, 2026. It is the last day of the year, celebrated around the world with fireworks, countdowns and parties. Celebrations begin in the Pacific (UTC+14) and follow midnight west across the world for 25 hours, to American Samoa and Niue (UTC−11).
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New Year's Eve 2026 is Thursday, December 31, 2026. It is the last night of the year, before midnight ushers in January 1, 2027. Celebrations follow midnight across the globe for 25 hours, from Kiritimati (UTC+14) to American Samoa and Niue (UTC−11): see where it is New Year right now.
Overview
What Is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is December 31, the last day of the Gregorian calendar year. In many European countries the night is named after Saint Sylvester, a pope whose feast day falls on December 31 in the Western churches: it is called Silvester in German and la Saint-Sylvestre in French.
At midnight the clock moves from 11:59:59 PM to 12:00:00 AM and the new year begins. Around the world the moment is marked with fireworks, countdowns, music and customs that differ from country to country.
New Year's Eve falls six days after Christmas Day on December 25. For a live countdown to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in your time zone, visit christmas.onl.
Timezones
New Year's Eve 2026: Global Timezone Sweep
- Dec 31, 11:00 UTC — Auckland (UTC+13)
- Dec 31, 13:00 UTC — Melbourne and Sydney (UTC+11)
- Dec 31, 15:00 UTC — Seoul and Tokyo (UTC+9)
- Dec 31, 16:00 UTC — Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei (UTC+8)
- Dec 31, 17:00 UTC — Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta (UTC+7)
- Dec 31, 18:30 UTC — Delhi and Mumbai (UTC+5:30)
- Dec 31, 20:00 UTC — Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UTC+4)
- Dec 31, 21:00 UTC — Moscow and Riyadh (UTC+3)
- Dec 31, 22:00 UTC — Cape Town and Johannesburg (UTC+2)
- Dec 31, 23:00 UTC — Amsterdam, Berlin, Lagos, Madrid and Paris (UTC+1)
- Jan 1, 00:00 UTC — Edinburgh and London (UTC+0)
- Jan 1, 03:00 UTC — Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (UTC−3)
- Jan 1, 05:00 UTC — New York and Toronto (UTC−5)
- Jan 1, 06:00 UTC — Chicago and Mexico City (UTC−6)
- Jan 1, 08:00 UTC — Las Vegas and Los Angeles (UTC−8)
Events
10 New Year's Eve Celebrations Around the World
Ten long-running celebrations, in the order midnight reaches them. This is not a ranking. Programmes change from year to year, so each status label comes from that city's own page: check it before you plan a trip.
- Sky Tower, Auckland
Midnight fireworks launched from the Sky Tower, among the first big-city displays in the world to welcome the New Year.
Expected (annual event) Auckland countdown - Sydney Harbour, Australia
On New Year's Eve 2025, fireworks were launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, six city-centre buildings and eight platforms on the harbour. The City of Sydney estimates that nearly a million people came together on the night.
Confirmed Sydney countdown - Marina Bay, Singapore
The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, with a countdown fireworks display over the bay.
Expected (annual event) Singapore countdown - Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Emaar's fireworks and light show at the world's tallest building. It has set Guinness World Records, including the largest fireworks display and the largest LED-illuminated facade.
Not announced yet Dubai countdown - The Kremlin chimes, Moscow
The clock on the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower chimes at midnight, broadcast across Russia. Red Square has been closed to visitors on New Year's Eve in recent years, and Moscow has held no official fireworks since 2022.
Expected (annual event) Moscow countdown - Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
A free-ticket open-air dance party in front of the Gate, traditionally with fireworks at midnight.
Confirmed Berlin countdown - Champs-Élysées, Paris
A free celebration on the avenue, traditionally with a light show projected on the Arc de Triomphe and fireworks at midnight. The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the start of each hour after dusk.
Expected (annual event) Paris countdown - The Thames, London
Fireworks over the river around the London Eye, with Big Ben's chimes marking midnight. The viewing areas are ticketed.
Confirmed London countdown - Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
A free beach party with concerts on several stages and fireworks launched from barges offshore, which Rio's City Hall bills as the world's largest New Year's Eve party. Many people wear white.
Expected (annual event) Rio de Janeiro countdown - Times Square, New York City
The Ball Drop, a New Year's Eve tradition since 1907. The Times Square Alliance estimates a worldwide audience of over one billion people each year.
Expected (annual event) New York countdown
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is New Year's Eve 2026?
New Year's Eve 2026 is Thursday, December 31, 2026. Midnight that night begins New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, 2027.
What is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is December 31, the last day of the Gregorian calendar year. Midnight marks the change from the old year to the new one, and the night is traditionally celebrated with parties, fireworks and countdowns.
What is the difference between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?
New Year's Eve is December 31, the last day of the year and the night of celebration. New Year's Day is January 1, the first day of the new year. The change happens at midnight (00:00:00) between the two.
Which city celebrates New Year first?
The first place to reach midnight is Kiritimati in Kiribati (UTC+14), followed by New Zealand's Chatham Islands (UTC+13:45) and then the UTC+13 places, including Auckland, Tonga and Samoa. Among the 37 cities on this site, Auckland (UTC+13) is first, followed by Melbourne and Sydney (both UTC+11).
Which city celebrates New Year last?
Midnight reaches UTC−12 last, but no one lives there: it is nautical time, kept only at sea. The last inhabited places are American Samoa and Niue (UTC−11). Among the cities on this site, Las Vegas and Los Angeles (both UTC−8) are last.
How long does New Year's Eve last worldwide?
Midnight takes 26 hours to cross every time zone, from UTC+14 (Kiritimati, Kiribati) to UTC−12. No one lives at UTC−12, so on land the celebrations last 25 hours, ending in American Samoa and Niue (UTC−11).
What is the most watched New Year's Eve celebration?
There is no official ranking. The Times Square Alliance, which co-organizes the Ball Drop with Countdown Entertainment, estimates a worldwide audience of over one billion people each year. The City of Sydney estimates that nearly a million people came together for its fireworks on New Year's Eve 2025.
Why do people make New Year's resolutions?
Resolutions draw on what psychologists call the “fresh start effect”: people are more likely to pursue goals after a temporal landmark such as New Year's Day (Dai, Milkman and Riis, Management Science, 2014). The clean break from the old year gives a sense of a new beginning. The custom is often traced to ancient Babylon, where the New Year festival Akitu, often dated to around 2000 BC, is said to have included promises to pay debts and return borrowed items.
What do people do on New Year's Eve?
Common activities include watching or attending fireworks, hosting or going to parties, concerts and events, having a special dinner, making resolutions and counting down to midnight with loved ones. Many places add customs of their own, from ringing bells to eating grapes at midnight.
What time does New Year's Eve start?
New Year's Eve is the calendar day of December 31, from 12:00 AM (midnight) until midnight, when it becomes January 1. In practice, celebrations usually peak in the hours before midnight.
Is New Year's Eve a public holiday?
In many countries December 31 is an ordinary working day, though some employers close early or give the day off, and in some countries it is a holiday or special non-working day (the Philippines usually makes it one). New Year's Day, January 1, is a public holiday in many countries.