What Countries Celebrate the New Year First?
Posted on Dec 28, 2025 / Society
The celebration of the New Year begins in different countries at different times, depending on their time zones. The first countries to welcome the New Year are those located in the Pacific Ocean region, including Kiribati, Tonga, and Samoa. These nations are among the earliest to experience midnight on January 1st.
Shortly after, countries like New Zealand and parts of eastern Australia celebrate the New Year. The famous fireworks in Sydney Harbour are one of the world’s first major public celebrations, watched by millions globally. Moving westward, countries in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, and China, welcome the New Year several hours later according to their local time zones.
Time zones play a crucial role in the order of celebrations. Countries closer to the International Date Line see the New Year first, while nations in Europe, Africa, and the Americas celebrate later. For example, the United States and Canada are among the last major countries to ring in the New Year.
In addition to the Western calendar, some cultures celebrate the New Year at different times. For example, the Chinese New Year follows a lunar calendar and usually falls between January 21st and February 20th, while the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, occurs in early autumn.
In conclusion, the first countries to celebrate the New Year are those near the International Date Line, with Kiribati, Tonga, and Samoa leading the way. Time zones and cultural calendars shape how and when people around the world welcome the new year.
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