New Year countdown: 10 countries to ring in 2025 before UAE

As the world prepares to usher in the New Year, millions across different time zones are gearing up for celebrations and festivities. While the UAE's celebrations are just a few hours away, there are countries around the world where New Year's Eve will soon be underway, with fireworks and celebrations marking the arrival of January 1, 2025.

Here's a list of 10 countries that will see fireworks New Year celebrations before the UAE:

1. Kiribati

Located in the central Pacific Ocean, the Republic of Kiribati is now the first country in the world to have entered the new year.

The country's timing is eight hours ahead of the UAE's, which means that when it is midnight on January 1, 2025, in Kiribati, it will be 4pm on December 31 in the UAE.

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2. New Zealand

At 3pm UAE time, the clock struck midnight in New Zealand, marking the arrival of 2025 in Auckland with a spectacular fireworks display at the city’s iconic Sky Tower.

3. Australia

As the clock strikes midnight in Sydney and across eastern Australia, the city ushered in 2025 with a stunning fireworks display lighting up the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Celebrations in Sydney, Australia, are always a must-watch spectacle, often livestreamed by people around the world. With Sydney being seven hours ahead of the UAE, it will be 5pm in the UAE when the clock strikes midnight in Sydney, marking the start of the New Year.

4. Japan

Tokyo has ushered in the new year. Being five hours ahead of the UAE, it entered 2025 while at 7pm UAE time.

5. South Korea

South Korea has welcomed the new year at 7pm UAE time. However, celebrations this year are muted after the tragic Jeju Air plane crash that left 179 people dead on Sunday.

The country is also witnessing political turmoil after a short-lived martial law imposed by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

6. China

China has stepped into 2025, and at 8pm UAE time, Global Village lit up with fireworks to celebrate.

7. Philippines

Filipinos are now celebrating the beginning of 2025 as the clock officially struck midnight in Manila.

• Dubai: Global Village to ring in New Year with 7 fireworks shows; timings announced